Birthday Wish: Granted

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful news was given to my family today.

The day before my birthday, no less. God and his timing...

1. Dad's liver is functioning NORMAL, just like your's and mine.

2. His cancer markers went from 1,739 in May, to 24 in July and are NOW at 2.5!

3. ALL of the cancer has SHRUNK.

4. He won't have to be on chemo the rest of his life. He is eligible for surgery in about six months.

5. I don't really have a fifth point, but I would just like to add that GOD IS SO GOOD.

So many emotions went through me today. I smiled and cried with joy at the same time for this true miracle God blessed us with.

When his oncologist told my family that he might only have 90 days left in the beginning of May, we could have easily been planning his funeral right now. Now, he can plan his life.

As my mom put it and as I had worried about in an earlier blog post, "he'll be around for your graduation in December, to walk you down the aisle and to see his grandchildren." - that is the best present I could have ever received. I cry even as I type that sentence. God is so good.

We still have a long road until his is a cancer survivor, but the news today helped us get through all the heartache over the past three months.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to whoever reads our story and has prayed for my family. Your support and blessings have not gone unnoticed.

Big Mac

I heard this news yesterday and become so overwhelmed I started crying while sitting at work haha

But here it is in an e-mail my dad sent to some friends and family members-

I had an appt. with my oncologist yesterday and he gave me some really good news!

When I first was diagnosed in early May, some bloodwork was done and it was determined that I had a 'cancer marker' at a very high level of 1,739. Normal is just 4.

After 3 rounds of chemotherapy, that number has already dropped to 24.

The doctor said that in his entire career, he has not ever seen this number drop so quickly.

Praise God ! And thanks to all of you who are praying for me.

Love Ya All,

David

Once again, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all the prayers and support. So many loving people have gathered around my family at this time and it's been one of the biggest blessings of my entire life.

There have been times that I have physically felt God's presence when people have prayed over me for and about my dad. I can't even describe the feeling I got, but I knew God was there.

Please continue to pray for the rest of his recovery and chemo treatments.

When my mom called me yesterday she said my dad ate an entire Big Mac the previous day, which is so wonderful to hear. His appetite is looking up!

Free Snow Cones After the Game

Last weekend, Taylor, Tiffany and I ventured down to Dallas to watch my first major league baseball game!

We left early Saturday morning - maybe not early for some people, but if it require me waking up within the six o'clock hour, believe me it's early - and headed to Southlake to stay with Reagan's family.

It was such a fun weekend, though a little tiring. We ran around the Dallas area and headed into Frisco so I could visit Ikea for the first time.

Let me tell you- I'm sure I don't, though - Ikea is a life changing experience. It's like Disneyworld for home furnishings. And I'm not exaggerating.

We meandered around there for a few hours and finished up in time to hit up Sonic's happy hour.

My first MLB game was a success, except for one thing: the Rangers didn't win. Oh well, I did get a free hat and fireworks show, so it didn't matter much to me!

Taylor's aunt and uncle were wonderful hosts and it was so much fun to spend time with Taylor's extended family! The more I spend with them, the more I like them, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

And though Tiffany isn't my family, I really think that we are just beginning a wonderful friendship! It was great to get to know her a little better this weekend. She and Reagan will marry in less than a month, so it was fun talking about the wedding/life things with her (and her MIL to be) this weekend.

Next weekend we are heading up to Wichita to visit my family! I'm super excited! Taylor hasn't been up since last Thanksgiving, so I hope he's ready for some Kansas fun.

Dad update:

Dad goes in on Wednesday for another chemo treatment. This time he will be meeting with his oncologist to talk about how he is progressing.

Though I'm not a doctor, I really think the chemo treatment is working for him! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but in the past few weeks he has been doing a lot better! He's even gained a few pounds! So thank you to everyone who reads this and prays for my dad - your prayers have been such a blessing for my family!

Happy Father's Day

To a dad who...

Taught me:

to explore.

my ordinal directions.

to ask questions.

to dissect words in order to find out their root and eventually its meaning.

to watch the Food Network (which my friends made fun of me for in

middle school).

how to check my tire pressure.

how to travel.

how to fold a fitted sheet.

Helped me:

complete school projects I procrastinated on.

did my Geography homework once in 6th grade, I think.

shop on countless occasions.

never give up.

beat middle-aged men in Buzztime Trivia at a sport's bar.

Let me:

mess up.

take chances.

dictate our vacation spots (Boot Hill in Liberal, KS - really, Dad?).

sleep in his bed after I saw "The Ring".

pour my high school heart and soul out to him in a Taco Bell.

And not to mention attended every play, concert and spring sing performance.

And who still:

teaches me, helps me and lets me be me every day.

I love you, Dad.

Gratuitous Amounts of Non-Related Stuff

Remember on Xanga when they had that "currently watching" or "listening to" thing you could do? Well right now I'm watching "Across the Universe." I still have my Xanga account active, in fact.

I read it sometimes and laugh at my high school self. I was interesting back then, we'll just say. Now I'm perfectly well adjusted and awesome.

Right? Right.

Lots has happened since I blogged last. Life does that sometimes.

I have lots of things I've grown addicted to. I'll list them to be fun.

1. Netflix. If you don't have it you need to get it. It's changing my life and it's only been less than a week. I've been able to relive my childhood through their instant movies and television shows. It's been wonderful. I've already watch "Hello, Dolly!", went through seasons 1, 2 and most of 3 of "The Hills," and half of a season of he A&E hit reality show "Airline" (which none of you probably know existed, but I used to watch it with my dad and loved it. It's hilarious).

Side note: Favorite quote from the movie -

Horace Vandergelder: Dolly Levi, you are a damned exasperating woman!

Dolly Levi: Why Horace Vandergelder, that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me.

Love it. I think I might be Dolly Levi. Watch the movie and tell me what you think. Or just watch it for fun.

2. Diet Coke. Yes, I'm drinking pop again (refer to previous posts for an explanation why I gave it up). But they offer FREE (as a poor college student I think I'm obligated to automatically partake in free items) pop at my internship, so I drink it to get my fix for the day. Then I don't have to buy cans, just a 2-liter to get me through a week or so. It's a wonderfully cheap way to get my caffeine buzz.

3. The iTouch app, "Lose it!" It's a calorie counter app designed to help people lose weight and it's FREE (and once again the college student obligation applies). But you can input what you ate, even from restaurants or grocery stores, and it tells you how many calories you ate and how many you have left for the day. There is also a way to add exercise and the app tells you how many calories you will burn if you do it for a certain amount of time. It's just wonderful. Check it out. You won't regret it.

I guess that's my life recently. I'm going home this weekend for Father's Day. I'm pretty psyched.

Dad update:

He had his second chemo treatment last Wednesday. So far, his body seems to be responding. My mom called me last week after taking him to a few appointments and had a few encouraging things to say.

-"Susan, he isn't yellow anymore!" It sounds funny to hear, but for the first few weeks after he was diagnosed his skin had a yellow tint to it. Mostly because his liver wasn't functioning right, but now it seems to be doing better (thus a more natural skin tone is emerging). Coincidentally, I remember my dad's favorite color to be yellow.

-I think some of his energy is coming back, which is such a blessing.

-No vomiting...yet. The doctor said everyone can react to it differently, but my dad hates - and I use the word hate with the fullest of intent- throwing up. It could happen, but it hasn't yet which is great.

-The swelling has gone down in his legs, ankles and feet. For a while we thought he might have to buy new pants, but the lack-of-swelling suggests that his liver is getting better.

I think since seeing the progress, his spirits have been lifted some. I think he knew before that he would beat it, but seeing progress sure helps. He's started losing some hair, which was expected, so my mom took him to get it cut a little shorter today so it wouldn't get pulled off as easily when he was laying down on a pillow or in the shower.

Such a nice mom I have. Not many ex-wives would do that, but she's such a compassionate person that it doesn't really surprise me that she took him under her wing.

I think she has started reading my blog, so "Hi, Mom!"

Blessed be Your name

"Praise you in this storm" by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

This song has popped into my head a lot lately. That and "Blessed be your name." I can't help but think it's for a reason and this situation we are enduring with my dad. I feel at such an awkward place in my faith right now. I'm trying daily to trust in God, but sometimes it's just so hard to.

Last weekend I went home to spend time with my family. I'm very grateful to have a job with flexible hours to where I can go home for a long weekend. It was a much needed weekend at home.

Dad had his first chemo treatment last Wednesday. His body handled it very well and he hasn't really seen any aftereffects from the chemicals. One funny (or frustrating depending on who's perspective you get) is that because of the steroids they gave him, he now hiccups instead of coughs. The only time I heard him not hiccup was when he chugged a strawberry-banana smoothie my mom and I made him. (complete with copious amounts of ice cream, half-and-half and egg white protein powder to pack on the calories.)

He's lost probably 20 pounds, but it's a little hard to tell because his legs are swollen since his liver isn't functioning properly. It's strange to look at him and see his face not as full, but his legs fuller. I prefer to picture my dad at his peak.

He rode bikes, completed a marathon and ate healthy. Something he is having to forego for the time being. It's hard for him to eat so differently, I think. But I think he secretly missed eating things like Frosted Mini Wheats and drinking Dr. Pepper (which is still too sweet for his preference at the time being.)

I love my dad for so many reasons, but my current, favorite reason is that he doesn't let his faith waiver. Even though his body is going through this, he has not missed one church service. Though that may be the one thing he does that whole day, he still attends. I'm so proud to be his daughter knowing what a man of God he has become.

He found his faith later in his life, but it was right for him. He was baptized only a few months after I was, but his heart yearns to learn more about God and the Bible everyday. I'll admire him for being a seeker and explorer always. (Remind me that I said that when he plays "20 Questions" the next time I go home.)

Please, please, please- I'm begging you; Continue to pray for my dad. This chemo needs to work. We got some unexpected news that if it doesn't, he may not have many months left on this Earth. And while he is here, he will need to continue treatments for the rest of his life.

This was shocking to me, but we're praying for a miracle and we need a miracle.

Flash Forward

Since school let out my life has been complete nuts! There's been something different everyday or every week and it's just never ending.

Although, there have been some happy moments. I guess I can't complain about my life that much.

Last weekend I witnessed one of my best friends get married! It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to! The reception was totally fun and we all had a great time dancing around with our friends. For once I wasn't that conscious of looking like a total idiot on the dance floor. I guess cause about 85% of those people I will never see again, so there's some incentive.

Precious newlyweds.

After the wedding we headed home from Denton on Sunday. The drive which normally takes about 3 hours ended up taking 6 thanks to the stormpocalypse moving in. We had to take shelter at Stephanie's house in Moore and wait out the storm. Then on the way home we got stuck on the highway for what felt like an eternity.

The reason we were stuck for so long - hail clogged the drain systems.

This week, I also started my new job! I'm a PR intern at the Oklahoma Dental Foundation!!! I love it so far, even though I've only worked 3 days. The people there are really nice, and my boss went shopping with me for desk supplies! So fun!

The last bit of good news; my dad.

As you read in my last blog post, my dad was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Since I found out I visited him at home and it was so great to see him. He has definitely lost some weight, but is still feeling strong and has gained some of it back already.

While I was in town the doctor's did a liver biopsy (they noticed some spots on a previous scan) and a brain and bone scan to see if any other places on his body had cancer.

I'm happy to report the results of both tests were as good as they could have been! The biopsy said that he did have some cancer spots in his liver, but that it was the same kind as his colon so the chemo should respond better to it. The other news is that he doesn't have cancer any other place in his body!!

Now that his medical team has this information they can start a treatment plan. He begins chemo on Monday, so please continue to lift up my dad in your prayers. They have been working, but we need your continued blessings.

My dad has been remaining strong and while his cough probably won't go away for some time, his spirits are still high and he believes that he can fight this disease.

I love my dad so much and watching KP get married last weekend gave me a reality check; her dad walking her down the aisle, dancing with him at the reception - it all felt like it could be taken away from me. I know I sound selfish, but I can't help but feel that way. He's my dad. I want those moments with him.

I'm planning to go home next weekend for a visit and I hope he's feeling up for company since he chemo is starting. I'll keep you guys updated for sure!

A twist of events

This isn't easy, but I need to talk about this.

My dad has been sick since the end of January with what sounded like an upper respiratory infection. I personally thought it was bronchitis because of how his cough sounded (I know it well since I've had it three times since college). He could hardly hold a normal conversation with people because he was coughing so much. But he went to the doctor and they gave him an antibiotic. Which didn't work...Another one, and it still didn't work. I think they got up to three or four and no response.

By then it was March and no progress had been made. He finally got referred to a pulmonologist and went in for testing. Nothing was found in his lungs and they were functioning normal for his age. They thought he might have acid reflux, so they put him on Prilosec to help with that. While he was at the doctor, they did some blood work and found out he was anemic. His count was around 8 or 9 and is supposed to be at 12. They started him on iron supplements and wanted to see what happened. He started to get really tired cause his iron levels were low and such.

I'm not sure what exactly prompted this, but somehow he went in to the doctor to get a colonoscopy. I think they were just wanting to inspect more since the Prilosec wasn't working and the coughing was still there.

Last Tuesday, my mom, dad and his girlfriend Kay found out that my dad has stage four colon cancer. I found out on Wednesday while my mom was down in Oklahoma moving me to my first apartment. He had to tell me over the phone, but I'm glad she was there.

For those of you who don't really know my family dynamic, my parents divorced when I was about 2. They have remained very close over the years (as far as divorced parents go) and my dad actually contacted my mom for help when going to doctor's appointments. The three of them have attended almost every appointment together and have each other's backs I guess you could say. It's sounds strange to anyone else I'm sure, but it's been my life for a while so I guess I'm used to it.

They are going in with chemo to shrink the cancer before they try to operate. He gets a "site" put in his body near his heart to hook up to the chemo. The chemo should start in a few weeks, and they doctor said he shouldn't lose his hair.

Tuesday he is getting a full body and brain scan done to make sure the cancer isn't anywhere else. They are also taking cells from his liver to make sure it hasn't spread there.

Anyways, the point of this post is to just let my very slim amount of readers know that I need your help. My family is in need of your prayers right now.

My dad has asked specifically for strength while his body endures this. He is changing his diet a lot to help beat the cancer. His doctor's and our family is confident that he will beat the cancer and we aren't letting anyone else tell us any different.

My Aunt Susan was diagnosed with several types of cancer at the same time 20 years ago and was given 7 years to live. She is now 51, healthy and cancer free. We have a lot of hope.

Just please pray when you have the time. Our God can work miracles when we give him all the power.