RECENTLYYesterday J & the kids & I went to Wal-Mart to get our car serviced and to buy groceries. After being there for over 2 hours, we finally made our way home. We were tired, seeing as J had just come off of his first weekend shift and had only had 3 1/2 hours of sleep on Monday morning. On our way home, we received a call from J's dad. He wanted to have lunch together, so we headed that way. We were very excited to see them, seeing as the kids hadn't really visited with Luvie & Pops in nearly 3 weeks. J's dad had had a colonoscopy done earlier that day, so we knew he was ready to eat after several days of his liquid diet.
We sat down with them and began to chat. After awhile, J finally asked how the dr. appt went. His dad said very lightly, "There's good news and bad news." J responded, "the good news is that you don't have hemorrhoids!" and his dad responded, "yes, but the bad news is that I have colon cancer." We were quite floored. I had thought this appt was just a routine, yearly exam. We talked things over with them and he seems to be in very high spirits. He will have to have surgery and chemotherapy. They are going this week to have more tests done and to have a CAT scan to make sure the cancer is localized and hasn't spread.
I just wanted to let you all know, so you understand what is going on in our lives. And I'm asking for prayer for our entire family. It didn't hit J until last nite. He was in such high spirits with his dad, that once he came down, he was devastated. I was able to have dinner w/ our ladies group last nite (A HUGE thank you to TARA! I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!). Gretchen shared after the meal about Bro. Mark (for those of you who don't know, not only is he my FATHER-IN-LAW, but he's also our PASTOR!). I know that our church will rally around this family and be a great support system. And our Pastor is a great man of faith. This will only make us stronger.
I'm also asking that you pray for J, as well. His grandfather McEuen had a tumor a few years ago in his colon and now his dad. This is something that we are going to have to watch with J, as he ages.
I'm also praying that this will be an awesome opportunity to share with Sean. We sat him down last nite and explained to him that Pops was very sick and was going to need some time. We also explained that his appearances might change, he may lose some weight and possibly some hair (J couldn't help but laugh here, seeing as his dad is somewhat bald on top already!). Sean was understanding and said that he would help to take care of Pops. We've already prayed for him this morning w/ the kids over breakfast and Sean wants to continue to pray for Pops at night, when he goes to bed. I really debated over what to tell a 5 year old, but since this would a topic of conversation at home and at church, I thought he should know, before he found out from someone else or wondered why Pops wasn't at church.
Again, please pray for our family. If you would like to keep up-dated on J, you can check out his blog (www.xanga.com/spiderman81). I'm sure he'd appreciate any support and help that we can give to him.
Boy, if we'd only have known what kind of day it was going to be, we wouldn't have listened to our new Johnny Cash CD quite the same. It was in the mail when we got home from lunch with J's folks. WOW! What a "revelation"...
We know that God is a God of healing and a God of miracles. Please be in prayer with us as we try and figure out what all is going on the next few weeks. Thank you!
Dear Lord, I pray for healing, understanding and strength in the next few weeks. I know that you are a God of healing and a God of miracles. I pray that you will heal Brother Mark. I pray that you will give the doctors strength and wisdom as they make decisions the next few days and I pray that you will give the rest of the family understanding as we figure all of this out. I know that you are not surprised by what is happening, but that you are in control. I pray these things in Your name, AMEN
No, I haven't viewed "Bringing Up Boys Yet". I will let you know when I do. I have been currently viewing "Shop, Share and Save" with my 3G14 (training her to be a good homekeeper early). We are really enjoying it so far.
So, WOW!! You get to go to the zoo-----it must be really warm where you live. We so want to live somewhere south of Illinois but north of Florida........enough dreaming for now. Let me know if you need help with the picture uploading. My cute son, 2B20 helped me out but I think I learned something. :)