At the CEC in Florida, courtesy Erica Richardson Photography
We had yet another big day at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. After five weeks of continued treatment with two newly added chemotherapy treatments, we were more than ready to hear how the inside of Tony's brain was behaving...
.... And I am happy to report that it is behaving rather well! There had been significant tumor growth the last time we had a status update; today was much better with the image showing only small amounts of tumor growth, small enough that we feel the new treatments are working in halting the tumor from spreading quickly. So the plan is to continue Tony's new treatments (sometimes every week, sometimes every other) and we will have another assessment December 15th. Mark your calendars, y'all ;)
Tony and I want to thank everyone who continues to love and support our family in many different ways. We truly feel your love and prayers buoying us up and helping us to see the good in every day.
Today's news was a miracle to me. When we talked with Tony's neuro-oncologist team five weeks ago, the prognosis we received was very grim. If the tumor growth continued as aggressively as before, they only expected Tony to live 6-12 weeks (which would put him at the beginning of December with the best scenario). I know...... it was a bit shocking. But here we are, five weeks later and Tony is holding strong in such a beautiful way, with few new symptoms. We now have an unclear (and still holding on to a hopeful) prognosis but are gleefully confident that we will get to enjoy Christmas together, which before seemed impossible according to the medical world. What a blessing! Thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers for Tony, as we feel this is because of the strength of faith we all have collectively; faith literally is a power and this type of faith does provide miracles.
I'd like to share one last thought before I sign off for the next few weeks. One of my favorite conversations to have with others is about the difficulties they have experienced in life, and then to see how they have overcome and grown stronger through their storms. It is such a blessing that we can share with one another our life experiences (as appropriate) so that we may vicariously learn and grow from their stories. I have been strengthened by several people from different situations, some whom I've never even met, because they have opened up and shared hard things.
Living with someone you love so much who has a terminal illness can be very difficult. There is so much unknown in the future, so many questions, so much heartache and longing for the past. But I promise that even with the emotional and sometimes physical discomforts that are associated with our present lives, peace can be found. The unknown future is replaced with increased faith and trust in God that He will always do what's best for His children, and that He will never leave our side. Questions are replaced with answers of His eternal plan of happiness; God will never forsake us and will bless us beyond our mortal comprehension; many blessings come in disguise that we do not recognize until much later in life. The gift of eternal life with Heavenly Father and our Savior and those we love is possible and attainable if we allow ourselves to follow Him. And the longing for the past, before the difficult time began, is replaced with an assurance that we can or will one day look at our current situation and find deep beauty and appreciation in the heartache. Our hearts will only grow stronger and more tender. Slowly, if we allow it, we become better.
And isn't it great that we can learn these things to a certain degree without undergoing them ourselves? This is why Tony and I share our story. Our hope is that we can increase your desire to turn to the Savior and our Father, to learn that you are worth everything to them. We hope that you can hold your loved ones longer, pray with more sincerity, and turn your lives more toward heaven, leaving behind all the things that do not matter.
And it will all be worth it.
