Logic

He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. (Romans 4:20)

This was the scripture in my daily bible reading email today. It rings true with me. When there is nothing logical about our situation, all we can do is BELIEVE in a God who is bigger than this world, be strengthened by His power and if anything good happens or if we are just lucky enough to make it through the day... GIVE HIM the GLORY.

We had an encouraging doctor's appointment yesterday. Chris sent an email out to some friends and I thought it summed things up pretty well. Here's what he wrote:

We had our first meeting with an oncologist yesterday - a doctor at Medical City. Overall the meeting was pretty positive. We talked about a few different treatment options, all of which have cure rates that range from 95-99%. We're really happy about that. As I understand it, there are a few different treatment options:

- going straight into chemotherapy (least likely option, about 95% cure rate)

- surgically removing the enlarged lymph nodes, then watching my blood levels to see if any tumor markers show up before committing to chemo (about a 96-97% cure rate)

- surgically removing the lymph nodes, then immediately following that up with 2 rounds of chemo (a 99% cure rate)

I've left out a few factors to simplify, but deciding which treatment to take will essentially come down to the numbers, so we're preparing mentally, schedule-wise, etc. for the 3rd option.

Please pray for patience as we wait on the next appointment. Pray for a good surgeon who can handle the task and that we are confident in. Also please pray for a good house to come along! Thank you!!!!

Hypercolor- revisited

Check this out

I'm so excited that American Apparel has these now. If I feel really saucy, I might just go over and get one. I'll be really excited to wear it come December when I'm not a fatty anymore! ;o) Just kidding, I'm proud to be a fatty under the circumstances.


Regarding the man of the house, we're meeting with the first oncologist tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1:30. We'll get his opinion but probably won't make any major decisions until our meeting with UT Southwestern on August 8. Thanks for the prayers- they have been felt! Chris went back into the office today for a while even and was able to get some work done and see his co-workers, who have been very supportive and helpful.

We're still house hunting by the way (because we needed more stress) so please pray that the right house becomes available soon. I'd like for our little boy to have a place of his own to come home to one day!

"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love..." Philemon 1:4-7


And on a side note. Raise your hand if you think my sister Whitney should start a blog of her own... I taught her how while she was here visiting this week. She's convinced she has nothing to write about. Who cares? If you build it, they will come, right? Whit--continue procrastinating and I'll be forced to post more and more photos of you. I have a LOT- don't test me!

continuing our story...

We're back from the doctor with mixed feelings but overall we are grateful for the Lord's mercy on us and feel His strength in us to press on.

The cancer did spread but only in a very small section of the lymph nodes. His chest and abdomen (meaning a lot of major organs) show NO signs of any invasion. Which is a very big deal. We were hoping to hear that nothing had spread obviously, but are assured that this is still the same, highly treatable cancer, we just have a few more things to take care of. The fact that the enlarged lymph nodes are still relatively small hopefully indicates that we caught it early and can take care of it in a timely manner.

This isn't a major roadblock since we were anticipating SOME follow up treatment, you just always hope for a miracle and wish nothing else had to be done. There are a few options which we will discuss with a team of oncologists in a couple of weeks. We will also meet with a separate oncologist (different hospital) on Monday or Tuesday of next week hopefully. There is a surgery to remove the affected lymph nodes OR there is chemotherapy. Neither option is a pleasant one but we both want to do what it takes for complete healing. We will be weighing all of this with the specialists to determine which road to take. Chris needs to heal from this surgery first, which he is doing remarkably well thus far. I'm so proud of him!

Please continue to pray and I will update you all as I know more. That may not be for a few days but I will let you know when I hear anything, as we sincerely appreciate each and every prayer that is lifted up on our behalf.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! Hebrews 13:8

this afternoon

We have a meeting with the urologist at 1:40 this afternoon. We should find out all the test results then. Please pray for us then if possible! We are truly grateful for the love and encouragement you have all been to us. THANKS!

Please take a few minutes to watch this if you can. It's worth your time. He's got the whole world in His hands!

the hardest post so far

I've been putting off writing this post for a little while for a few reasons, but if I'm honest, a lot of it is just that I don't know quite what to say. What a difference a day makes...

Last Friday I went with Chris to a urologist because a sonogram revealed a solid mass in one of his testicles. The doctor told us it was probably cancerous and he'd need to have surgery on Monday and have it removed. We were scared to say the VERY least.

The weekend was a whirlwind of emotion and neither of us could really decide how to feel or react. None the less, we carried on and Monday we went to the hospital. Chris was taken back for surgery at about 11:30 am. The initial pathology reports taken there in the operating room confirmed that we are dealing with testicular cancer.

Tuesday Chris recovered VERY well and Wednesday we went in for a CT scan to see if the cancer spread or if the surgery was successful in removing it all. Not to mention being completely sore from surgery, he's also claustrophobic and was NOT looking forward to being crammed in a big machine for 20 minutes. He was an absolute champion about it.

Today we wait.

Tomorrow we have a meeting with the urologist to find out what the pathology results are and if the CT scan is clear of any additional cancer sites. We KNOW that Chris will require some follow up treatment, most likely chemo in the coming months. We will know more about that after a meeting with a team of oncologists Monday. We do know that testicular cancer is one of the MOST curable cancers (90-98%) and we praise God for that!!!

We ask for nothing more than submission of constant prayer to the God who is able to do more than we can ever ask or IMAGINE. We thank Him for our friends and family who have rallied around us in love and support the past few days. It has been extremely hard and many times I've asked why us? Why now? We feel very out of control and we hate that, but we remain hopeful and trust that the Lord holds our future in his mighty hand as much today as He did last week.

Please just pray.

I need some advice

Please help me all you moms out there.. I can't decide on a car seat/stroller. Let me know what you have and if you love it or hate it. Many thanks...

Cherry Custard Bread Pudding

ok just TRY and tell me you don't want some of this...

After seeing Taylor's post about peach pie I found this online. Gosh- why are all my posts about food lately? Maybe there is a direct correlation between this trend and the fact that the scale tipped over a very significant number today which I will not mention. Oh well- Saturday, I'll bake it Saturday. recipe here

I was crying...

Consider it CRAVED

I've been drifting through months of pregnancy now without any noticeable food cravings.

Today that all changed.

As I explained to Chris ever-so-clearly this afternoon I simply could not make the car drive by Sprinkles without stopping for a cinnamon sugar cupcake! It was as though the car had a mind of its own. Maybe it was a moment of weakness. Perhaps some cosmic force that propelled my vehicle into the Preston Center parking lot.

Or maybe, just maybe it was an actual, real, hormone-induced CRAVING! Oh Lord let it be a one time event or else I'm doomed to weight gain like none have seen before!!

It's a cupcake with cinnamon and sugar on top rather than icing. It's glorious!

Prayers for the Thomases

These are some of our very dear friends here in Dallas. Unbelievable people we love a lot. You can read the blog for all the details but recently our friend Haley's doctors found what they think could be a tumor above her heart! We are all praying for miracles and things seem to be looking up but I know that more prayers always help. PLEASE take just a second to read her requests for prayer and submit them to the Lord. Thanks!!

http://getonthethomastrain.blogspot.com/

Zuchinni Sweet Potato Bread

Even though this sounds like Thanksgiving to me, I just so happen to have a zuchinni and a sweet potato layin' around. Maybe I'll whip this little baby up! Course I'll have to track down some baking powder because I know I'm out of that. Hopefully I won't get to tired (lazy) to make this because it really sounds De- lish!!

via: joy the baker


Also I saw this print online today at Hammerpress and once we move into the new house, I think I'd like very much to frame it on the wall...