Following up on a few things...

It's hard to believe that Dad has been with the Lord for over five weeks.  The fantastic thing is that, in the words of the song, he has "no less days to sing God's praise" than when he started.  Hallelujah!

Dad loved music and I have no doubt he's singing God's praises right now!  That's why the family (in consultation with the church leadership) has decided that the most appropriate use of Dad's memorial fund would be to purchase new songbooks for the church.  Hymns of Grace will be put to good use as Dad's earthbound church family continues to glorify God as we run the race.   

Now the embarrassing part...it seems like the Post Office prefers to deliver the church's mail to the Post Office box rather than the street address we provided.  We apologize to those of you who received returned mail.  The correct mailing address for Grace Community Church is PO Box 9311, Wilmington, DE 19809.  Of course, you are always welcome to fellowship in person at the Christiana Road address.  I heard that soon they're going to have some awesomely wonderful songbooks to augment their worship...  :) 

Last but not least:  many, many thanks to all who have provided support to Mom and the family.  While we're happy for Dad and would never wish him back in his suffering, earthly body, his passing definitely left a gap that will never be filled until we're united in glory.  We sincerely appreciate everything each of you have done to ease our sorrow and thank the Lord for the many ways you have truly put the love of Christ into action. 

Thank you. 

Finish Line Celebration

Thank you to all who joined us today to celebrate Dad's life and his love of Christ!  For those who couldn't make it, highlights included:

• Music - We sang a few of Dad's favorites (He Lives! Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, and Blessed Assurance) and listened to a beautiful rendition of How Deep the Father's Love by three of the ladies from the church
• Eulogies - The family shared a few of their thoughts about Dad and his legacy.  His love of Christ and his dedicated service to others was a common theme - as was his well-known love of coffee.  :)  We smiled at a few stories and shed a few tears as well.
• Sermon - Pastor taught an excellent lesson from Psalm 103.  Dad would have loved it.

Afterwards, we returned to the house for a delicious meal coordinated by the ladies of the church.  We continued to fellowship and share our sorrows at Dad's passing and our joy that we know without a shadow of a doubt where he is - and that we, too will join him there in time.

Saying "thank you" doesn't express our love and gratitude for the many kindnesses and acts of service we've received since Dad's illness began, which you increased at Mom's surgery, and were capped off today.  Prayers, hospital visits, meals, house cleaning, coordinating - and preparing! - the reception, coordinating the parking at the church, providing and leading music, setting up the church, working the A/V equipment - I'm sure I missed many more things, for which I apologize.  Please know how much every single thing has meant to us.

We've worked very hard to remember that this was Dad's long-awaited promotion and a positive step-up for him, so it seems wrong to end on a sad note.  Below are a few pictures that were shared in the photo montage at the church and at home afterwards.  We hope they bring back some pleasant memories and put a smile on your face.

Great car, great suit, great hair - he's got it all going on!

Kickin' back in  Neil Prentice's office at Bethel Baptist

Dad looking over Ken's shoulder at a Pinewood Derby race

Stylin' it in his Army uniform

Sixty years later and the Army jacket still fits!

Three generations - David, Memphis, and Dad

Dad and Mom at Cindy's wedding on May 13, 2016

Dad and his brother Russell

What a cute toddler!  Any guess on what toy animal he's holding?

Dad and Cindy

We'll try to post a few more of the pictures over the next few days.  Thank you again for loving Dad and for celebrating his life with us.

   

Dad got the promotion he's been waiting for

Throughout his illness, Dad told his doctors and nurses that he was waiting for his "promotion."  For Dad, death wasn't something to be feared, but rather the culmination of a lifelong journey where he crossed the finished line and was promoted from our flawed reality to a perfect eternity with Christ.  On Wednesday morning Dad finished his race.

The doctors called the family in around 7:00 on Tuesday night.  With Mom, his children and grandchildren by his side, he was surrounded by love as we read the Bible, sang hymns, and reminded each other that while this was an end for us, it was the beginning of eternity for Dad.  Pastor and Jared joined us in our vigil.

Around 3:00 AM, Dad seemed to have stabilized and we took a brief break to get some rest before returning to spend another day with Dad.  Mom stayed at the hospital.

And so it was that at 4:45 this morning, with his "beautiful bride" by his side, Dad finished his race and started a joyous victory with Christ.

For those of us left behind, we will be holding a memorial service on Saturday, June 18 at Grace Community Church (details below).  We invite you to join us in celebrating a life well run.

Thank you for your prayers and loving ministry during Dad's illness and as we grieve our loss.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. - 2Timothy 4:7

Memorial Service:
Grace Community Church
63 Christiana Rd.
New Castle, DE  19720

10:00 AM - Visitation with the family
11:00 AM - Memorial Service  

Movin' on up...

Movin' on up to the 5th floor!  Yep, tonight Dad moved out of ICU to the 5th floor of the Cupp Building, room 516.  If you're looking to visit, use the elevators behind the guard's desk and then follow the signs to 516. 

Dad had a rest day today, no significant progress but no major issues either.  Now that he's in a standard room, they'll be better equipped to move him in the right direction - which is going home.

It's been a long day but I didn't want anybody to worry if you can't find Dad in TSICU.  Hopefully we'll have a fantastic, wonderful, upbeat post tomorrow detailing how Dad started training for a 5K...or maybe walked down the hall and back.  In the meantime, thanks for the prayers and support. 

The roller coaster ride continues...

Remember that roller coaster ride of an adventure I mentioned earlier in the week?  Well, this weekend added a few loops and a big drop or two!

Saturday started out eventful when the family was called in to the hospital at 6:00 AM after Dad had a bad night.  With much prayer we waited to see what the day held. 

Dad held his own and even improved slightly and was able to sit in the chair twice.  He interacted with our visitors, who brought companionship and encouragement.  When his oncologist came by in the late afternoon, he had a more positive prognosis - not a quick fix, but plans to get Dad back to where he was before all of this happened.  Walking, socializing, and at home!

Today brought amazing progress!  Dad was moved from forced oxygen back to a standard cannula, and they had him up and walking!  Praise the Lord!  He motored his way out of the room and down the hall, and spent time in the chair.  What a difference from the conversations we were having yesterday morning.

It seems like I thank you for your prayers every time I post...but we know the power of prayer and how important it is to have the prayers of the saints during this time.  Well, all the time - but they are especially needed now.  Thank you for your faithfulness!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.- Philippians 4:13

Practicing our patience...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12

Looks like we'll be working on the second part of that verse this week, patient in affliction.  Dad is stable and now we're waiting for the meds to do their thing.  Bye bye clots, hello better breathing!

To be safe, the doctor is taking "baby steps."  As his breathing improves, they'll start to move Dad around, then to a chair, then to a step down room, then home.  It might not be fast, but it is the cautious way to do it.  Looks like the Lord is giving us a chance to practice our patience for a few more days.

Thanks for joining us as joyful in hope and faithful in prayer - keep checking back and we'll let you know when our patience in affliction is coming to an end. :)

A whole lotta waitin' going on...

Just thought I'd pop in with a quick update on the day.  Dad's oxygen dropped a bit more this morning so they needed to give him a little more support through "forced oxygen", basically oxygen with a little bit of pressure behind it to help it get in where it belongs.  They followed that with several tests to check for various potential complications, but at the end of the day they came back negative.  The doctor did stop by and show the before-and-after CT scans, one from the beginning of May versus the one they did yesterday, and the cluster of clots was clear.  No doubt about the root of his problem! 

For now, it is a waiting game as we patiently wait for the medications to dissolve the clots.  The expectation is that as they dissolve, Dad's breathing will improve and he'll be able to be stepped down in the level of care and eventually come home.  Our hope is that we will start to see steady improvement over the the next few days...but it will take as long as it takes and nothing we can do is going to rush it along. 

Thank you for your prayers for Dad, Mom, and the family as we ride the roller coaster of this latest adventure and thank you for the outpouring of support. 

Kicking off June with a bang!

June is definitely off to an interesting start!  Dad's oxygen levels have been extremely erratic and yesterday morning they dropped to an all-time (at home) low.  He was quite disoriented and, after consulting with his doctor, we had him taken by ambulance to Wilmington Hospital.  The staff there evaluated him, did some tests and x-rays, administered a breathing treatment and then discharged him to see his doctors at Penn.  Sounds fairly routine, right?  Well, if it was...this post wouldn't be nearly as exciting as it's about to get.  If you don't want to read the whole story, feel free to scroll to the end for the Super Abbreviated Version.

We loaded Dad into the car to see his pulmonologist at Penn.  When I say "we" I mean Mom, me, Chris Hannold (who had volunteered in advance to help with his normal appointment that day), and Pastor Paul who had met us at the house and then ministered to us in the ER.  We touched base with Penn on our way up - and realized that there had been a breakdown in communication between the two hospitals.  After some negotiation (conducted while driving down I-95), we took Dad to see his oncologist at Penn Presbyterian.  We didn't know what was wrong...but we knew something was and that he needed attention.  Soon.

It didn't take the doctor long to see there was a problem.  "Why didn't Wilmington Hospital admit him?" were some of the first words out of his mouth.  I think I mentioned the communication issues.  Well, what we thought were issues really turned out to be a blessing.

After a few hours waiting, Dad was assigned a bed and a short time later was being poked, prodded, tested and questioned by the compassionate, competent staff.  Through all of this, Pastor and Chris stayed by us, comforting us with their calm and entertaining us with their bright spirits.  Cindy flew in that evening from Pittsburgh to join the group.  Team A (me, Pastor, Chris) left in the evening, with Team B (Cindy, Mom, and Crissy) getting home around 11.  Blood was drawn, monitoring was happening...it looked to be a quiet night.

Around 4:00 AM they took Dad in for a CT scan of his lungs - and life got interesting.  Turns out that his oxygen problems were due to a blood clot in his lungs.  But Dad, overachiever that he is, didn't settle for a single blood clot.  Instead, he has a cluster of pulmonary embolisms, which more than explains his issues.

Here's where the blessing came in.  Penn Presbyterian is the top trauma center in the region, so they know how to deal with complex issues - and this was complex.  He was quickly rushed to the TSICU (Trauma Surgery ICU) for high-level, specialized care.  The blood clots were playing havoc with Dad's heart rhythm and caused his blood pressure to drop dangerously low.  After unsuccessfully trying a few medicines, the decision was made to "defib" his heart.  Yep, that is just as scary as it sounds.  Accompanied by a lot of prayer,  Dad was sedated for the procedure and we waited to hear the results. 

Success!

Dad's heart returned to a normal rhythm.  His blood pressure slowly rose. 

He is now resting comfortably in the TSICU.  For those of you familiar with the hospital, this is in the new wing and the technology is a match for the fantastic staff.  They are monitoring him closely and hitting his clots with blood thinners.  In another day or so, the plan is to move him to a standard hospital room as they level off his medicines and prepare to send him home.

The doctor commented on how "lucky" Dad was. First, he said we were very, very lucky that the heart afibrillation didn't occur while we were driving him from Wilmington Hospital to Penn, as we couldn't have gotten him help in time.  Next, he strongly intimated that the staff at Penn Presbyterian was better equipped to diagnose, treat, and deal with the complexities of Dad's case. Lucky?  Blessed.

As we praise the Lord for his many blessings over the last couple of days, please continue to lift Dad and Mom in prayer.  Mom continues to recover from her hip replacement, and Dad's clots need to dissolve and then a plan put in place to prevent a future occurrence.  Strength and patience for the family and wisdom for the doctors are a great place to start.  :)

Now, for the highlight of week:  Pastor Paul and Chris had the opportunity to partake from the Food Truck!  They each had a cheese steak (fried onions only, please!) and declared that it lived up to its billing.  I may add the Food Truck to my list of blessings at Penn... 


SUPER ABBREVIATED VERSION:  Dad had a scary few days, we got him to Penn, they did their thing, he's doing better, will be home later in the week, Mom is still recovering from her hip replacement, and we introduced more people to the Food Truck with positive results.    
  

 

Hip Hip Hooray!

It's Hip Hip Hooray! 
Mom came home yesterday!
So thanks for your prayer
And your love and your care.
Praise God for for his wonderful grace!

Yep, Mom came home yesterday and she's doing FANTASTIC!  The staff at Penn Medicine were all wonderful throughout the surgery, recovery, and therapy.  She has a few restrictions on her movements and will have therapy at home for the next few weeks - but is doing amazingly well.  She's even moved to using only the cane for short trips around the house!  Mom's not quite up to that 5K run yet...but check back in two months and she might be.  :)

Dad is happy to have his "beautiful bride" back home where she belongs and is all set to be her coach, ensuring that she complies with the doctor's orders and does her therapy on schedule.  They are a great team!

Many thanks to all who are helping out during this time - it's much appreciated!

A Hipper Hip...and it's Titanium!

While we've targeted most of our posts to keeping you all updated about dad's ongoing battle with lung cancer, it is called WilsonSpot, not RoySpot, so I'd better give you an update on the Wilson matriarch to even things out a bit.

Mom had surgery at Penn Presbyterian Hospital to replace her right hip joint with a brand spanking new titanium wonder. She was in surgery for about 2 hours this morning, and is now in recovery waiting for her room. The next couple of weeks are going to be full of physical therapy to make sure that the new joint is as strong & flexible as possible. To that end, she'll be staying in the hospital until at least Friday to make sure that she is fully recovered from the surgery and that she has a good start on her therapy regimen.

While I know that mom would love to see each of you, visitors are discouraged while she's in the hospital. Plan on visiting after she gets home either Friday or Saturday depending upon some unknown criteria that probably includes the weight of an unladen swallow and the positions of the planets. I know she'll enjoy the company, and you can help her by cheering her efforts at therapy, or just sit back and watch the fun as her coach (dad) encourages her through "just one more set."

On a serious note, I want to thank you all for the prayers that you've laid before the Lord on mom & dad's behalf. We see them answered every day and thank the Lord for such faithful brothers and sisters. If you are looking for specific areas that need your prayers, please pray that mom recovers quickly from her surgery and that her physical therapy is able to get her back on her feet and mobile without too much pain. Please also pray that dad responds well to the COPD treatments and that his appetite is returned. Thank you all again for your faithful support.

Here a huff, there a huff, everywhere a puff, puff...

Today was a busy day!  We started out at the oncology center, where we talked about the ongoing pain in Dad's shoulder.  Last week, he started on a pain patch which has provided significant relief...but it isn't totally gone.  Since the stronger pain medicines have some unpleasant effects, they decided to try a different kind of medicine that works directly on nerve pain.  It will take a few weeks to work up to the full dose, but hopefully it will provide long-term relief without using (or at least decreasing the amount) of the nastier pain medications.  After that, Dad had Immunotherapy Treatment #3.  Barring any unexpected surprises, he'll have a PET scan after the 6th treatment to check its effectiveness. 

After that, it was off to the Perelman Center for a pulmonary function test.  We were braced for a 90-minute test.  Praise the Lord, it only took 30!  Though Dad might tell you it FELT like 90 minutes.  :)  Our hope was that the test would pinpoint why Dad is so short of breath despite his amazing progress against the cancer.  The Lord answered our prayers and they identified his underlying COPD as the cause.  Inflammation in his lungs is letting the air get in, but not out.  It's sort of like have a cup of dirty water and taking out an ounce.  You can add an ounce of crisp, fresh water to replace it - but not enough to make the water clean.  To counter this, they prescribed a steroid inhaler and a "booster" inhaled medicine.  Like the nerve medicine, the results won't be instantaneous but should provide significant relief.

One other piece of great news today - the food truck was back!  Woo-hoo!  To top it off, it was a beautiful day to wait for the sandwiches.  A win-win all around!

This was just the start of a busy week.  Mom's hip replacement is on Wednesday; please pray for the doctors as they perform the surgery and for Mom as she recovers.  Thank you in advance to all of you who will be helping out over the next few weeks - we couldn't do it without you and thank the Lord for your servant's hearts!  I'll post an update here on Wednesday to let you know how Mom is doing.

Of course, we can't end this update without telling you about Cindy and Bruce's beautiful wedding on the 13th.  The weather didn't cooperate for an outdoor wedding,  but the indoor venue was gorgeous and - most importantly - Cindy and Bruce's commitment to each other and jointly to the Lord was obvious.  They are safely back from their honeymoon and settling into their home near Pittsburgh.  We couldn't be happier for them!  Below is a picture of Dad walking Cindy down the aisle with a little help from grandson Rich. 

Thanks for checking in with us and for your faithful prayers.

A mystery wrapped in a blessing...

As some of you may know, Dad's been a little more short of breath over the last couple of weeks, despite having the fluid drained on schedule.  To rule out a blood clot, he had a CT scan last Thursday.  The blessing is that there's no blood clot and that it showed the cancer has continued to shrink.  But the mystery remains...why is Dad short of breath? 

Today, Dad had his regularly scheduled immunotherapy treatment then hopped over to the Perelman Center to see the pulmonology staff.  In addition to draining the catheter on the left side, she also drained the right side and got the same amount of fluid.  They ordered oxygen to help him feel better immediately and also set up a pulmonary function test to see if they can figure out the root of the mystery.

Sadly, the food truck wasn't in its normal spot today!  Hopefully, it will be back next time.  If not, we may need to figure out a Plan B for lunches.  FYI...the hospital cafeteria has already  been eliminated as an option.  :)

A mystery is great to read...but not nearly as much fun to live.  Please pray that the Lord gives the doctors wisdom as they continue to search for the cause of Dad's discomfort.  Also, please keep the family in your prayers as we prepare for Cindy's wedding and Mom's hip replacement. 

Thank you for your care and support!

Hi ho Immune System, away!

If you've been around a while or are a fan of old TV shows (or badly remade movies!), you caught the Lone Ranger reference in the tile.  Dad doesn't have a white horse named Silver or wear a mask, but today he had the first treatment that will hopefully have his immune system riding off to shoot down the cancer cells in his body.  He'll have one treatment every two weeks, barring any complications.

Dad also stopped by the pulmonologist's today for a check up and drain.  The volume of fluid has been consistent for the last couple of times, lower than when he started.  When it gets down to 50ml or less for three times in a row, he gets to go drain-free.  It's not the most enjoyable procedure in the world, so hopefully that will happen soon.

May is a busy month - Cindy's wedding, Mom's hip replacement - so please continue to keep Dad in your prayers, that the treatments are effective and that he responds well.  We are thankful that, no matter what May holds in store, our Lord has secured our future and walks with us through our present.

Thanks for checking in, and enjoy our spring weather!

Immunotherapy 101

Dad followed up with the oncologist today and the new treatment regimen will be immunotherapy.  For those of you not familiar with it, this therapy uses the body's immune system to attack and destroy the cancer.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made!  There's still the potential for side effects, but it is a reduced risk.  Once the insurance pre-certifies the treatment, we'll get the ball rolling.

The doctor confirmed that the fluid is building up due to active cancer in the lining of the lungs (the fluid is actually around the lungs, not inside).  Hopefully, the new treatment will get that back under control and the fluid will stop accumulating.

Thanks for checking in and we'll update you again soon!
 

Thanks for the prayers!

Thank you for your prayers!  Dad had the catheter inserted today and everything went smoothly.  In case you were wondering, he was sedated for the procedure.  After recovering, he was able to go home and is resting comfortably.  The nurse will come to the house for the first time on Friday and then regularly after that.

As I mentioned yesterday, the next step will be the follow-up with the oncologist next week.  Until then...no news is good news!  Thanks again for keeping Dad & Co. in your prayers.

A few extra prayers, please...

Dad has fluid again, so it is on to the next step.  Tomorrow, he's scheduled to have a procedure to place a catheter into the area where the fluid is gathering.  It's a fairly simple process and they'll keep him under observation for a couple of hours before sending him home.  A nurse will then come to the house a few times a week to drain any accumulated fluid.

As to why this is happening...well, the tests came back and it is definitely related to the cancer.  This is one of those good news/bad news things.  The good news:  it isn't a new issue, like his heart or kidneys.  Woo-hoo!  The bad news:  it means that they will most likely need to actively treat the cancer.  But the one-week break was great while it lasted!  Next week, he'll consult with the oncologist to review his options.  It may be a different chemo regimen, or another treatment method such as immunotherapy.  Either way, that's next week's problem.

Please pray for Dad tomorrow as he undergoes this procedure, and for the doctors as they perform it.  Also, please hold up Mom as she supports Dad through this.  Thanks again for your care and faithfulness, and we'll be sure to keep you updated.

Taking a break

Another week, another liter of fluid.  Dad went back for his regular appointment this week and had fluid in his lungs again.  They removed it and sent a sample for analysis in an effort to identify the cause.  The lab results should be back early next week. They also started him on a diuretic to (hopefully) prevent it from accumulating.  If the fluid continues to build up, they will consider implanting a catheter that will allow them to easily drain it.

In the meantime, Dad has elected to take a chemotherapy break.  He had the option of a break at the end of the first drug therapy but elected to continue on a single drug.  Now seems to be the perfect time to take advantage of that. 

Please continue to keep Dad in your prayers as he deals with this new lung issue.  Also, pray that his strength returns and the cancer stays at bay during this break.  Thank you for your faithful prayers and support.

The end of a fluid situation!

Dad had a procedure at Penn Presbyterian on Wednesday to remove the fluid from his lungs.  They took out a full liter of fluid!  Now that he's not sharing his lungs with a small swimming pool, he's feeling much better.  The procedure itself only took about 15 minutes.  After recovering for an hour, he popped across the parking lot to the chemo infusion suite and received the treatment that was delayed from Monday.  Oh, and ate lunch from the food truck, of course.  :) 

The doctors aren't sure what caused the fluid to accumulate, though they don't believe it is from the treatments or his heart.  But they are going to be on the lookout for any signs that it is returning and if it does, they'll be ready to jump into action.

We'll be celebrating a joyous Easter with the family this weekend.  We hope that you share our joy in the risen Lord.  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Good news and prayer request

As some of you may know, Dad has been short of breath lately.  This has made even the smallest task a difficult challenge.  Due to this, Dad's treatment today was put on hold while they looked for the cause.  A CT scan revealed that he has some fluid in his lungs.  They will be draining it in the next day or so and he should feel a lot better.

As a side benefit from the CT scan, they discovered that the largest tumor has continued to shrink since the last PET scan only a few weeks ago!  This is wonderful news and very, very positive.  The chemo has been tremendously successful.  The Lord is good!

Please keep Dad in  your prayers as they remove the fluid from his lungs. Also pray that this is a one-time deal and they stay clear.

Oh, and it's been awhile since we gave a food truck update so for those of you who have been following...we answered The Tuna Salad Question!  The rest of the family declined to take the tuna challenge, so I did it myself.  I'm pleased to report that it lived up to its billing and was delicious.  :)

Thanks again for your faithfulness and we'll be in touch with another update soon.

A quick update

Dad has completed the first round of the maintenance treatment.  The doctor had mentioned that the effects of the chemo are cumulative - like water dripping into a cup, every drop adds up until the cup overflows.  We're starting to see that as Dad's red blood cell count has dropped and brought with it a definite lack of energy.  There are a couple of options to counter this, including a blood transfusion or a break in treatment. His next appointment is next week and we'll be exploring our options to bring back Dad's "perky".  :)  Other than that, we've (thankfully) had no other major developments or excitement.

Thanks again for your prayers and support, and we hope you're looking forward to a joyous Easter as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

An amazing God and amazing results!

Flashback to August:  Dad was starting chemotherapy with the goal of stopping the progression of the cancer and preserving quality of life.  If he was really, really fortunate, the chemo might shrink the tumors a little bit.  But stopping the growth would be a big win - everything else would be icing on the cake.

Fast-forward to today:  Dad has icing on his cake, sprinkles, and two scoops of raisin rum ice cream on the side!  The results of last week's PET scan are in.  After six rounds of chemo, he is "significantly better."  The spots have shrunk, and what remains is "less intense," doctor-speak for saying that the cancer is less biologically active.  Praise the Lord!!

Dad has elected to continue with a maintenance treatment - a single-drug treatment for two consecutive weeks followed by a rest week.  At the end of four rounds, they will evaluate his progress and discuss next steps.

We know this amazing result is a gift from our amazing God.  Thank you for faithfully lifting Dad in your prayers and please join us in thanking and praising him for today's news.  We are blessed as a family by your ongoing love and support.  Thank you!

Kick off six...

Today marked the start of Dad's sixth and final round of this chemo regimen!  This was the last two-medicine treatment; a single-med treatment next week will wrap it up.  Dad will have a PET scan after that to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and then will talk with the doctor about his next treatment options.  The doctors are very pleased with Dad's progress to date and with how well he's tolerated the chemotherapy. 

We are thankful for how the Lord has blessed Dad both physically and spiritually throughout this.  We're thankful for his tolerance of the chemotherapy and that he's been able to eat and maintain his weight, a key indicator of success.  Above all, we're thankful that the Lord has walked with us on the first part of this journey and that we have the blessed confidence we'll never walk alone.  Please continue to hold Dad and Mom in prayer as they wrap-up the initial round of treatment and explore the next steps.

Dad getting therapy and an awesome food truck cheese steak!  (Still waiting on the tuna salad verdict...)