Coming back almost a year later - revisiting the steps in kicking cancer's butt is sobering! To those of you who may not know, cancer has once again shown its ugly face in our family. I have been "cancer-free" for all of my follow-ups, with another one next month, but it struck again at Christmas time. It's become the nemesis of our family story the last year and a half. My wonderful, intelligent, and hard-working father-in-law is battling a cancer that is laughing at us as we laughed at it while I defeated it. This cancer will take his life because the tumor is in his brain and is unfortunately inoperable. At Christmas time we were told 1-5 years...now we are left to speculation. The once stage 3 is now being treated as 5. Radiation has been done, no more can be done to the brain, and this week he will have his second intravenous dose of chemotherapy.
To watch this once vibrant, brilliant, and energetic man struggle to stand and not be able to play with his grandchildren that he once idolized is about as heartbreaking as it can be. This malicious disease is once again threatening my children's happiness. He had 11 years of running circles around his grandchildren and for that I am thankful. He's an amazing role-model for my oldest son, who will not give up hope - and for that I am jealous. One year ago he was playing catch with Grandpa and now he sits close hoping for just a conversation.
While I try not to be selfish and wish him to be around for a long time, if his quality of life is not respectable I know he wouldn't want that. I'm not hope"less," but hanging simply by a thread.
We are once again asking for prayers - if we pray for miracles we must know they can happen! Prayers for acceptance, hope, and even a miracle would be awesome...for all of our family.
God bless all of you who are still checking back even though I left you hanging!
My hair is growing back...in TIGHT little ringlets, but at least it's growing back.
