Finally...a post!

Can it be that it was only 4 1/2 months ago that the world as our family knows it was turned upside down? I must admit that every once in awhile I still expect to wake-up and have it all be a horrible dream. And while we have incurred more than our share of low points, there have been many highs during this time. Who would have thought there would be such joy in the midst of such pain? Joy that carries us through the darkness, joy that gives us hope for a future that will have less confusion and uncertainty. I believe that joy has a name...or rather 3 names...God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

A quick update since I haven't posted (and neither has my other half) in forever and a day. The first course of chemotherapy treatment is officially over. Gavin's final day was last Wednesday. He will have a blood test next Monday and a CT on Friday of that same week. Then we will have a 10 day wait for the CT results since Dr. Pal will be out-of-town until the 21st of May. Tam, his nurse, gave us the option of calling in on the 14th and she could give the results to us. Unfortunately, if it's not positive, nothing will be able to be done until the doc gets back. We have yet to decide what we want to do. Waiting stinks!

Actually that probably will be an easier wait than the next 2 or 3 months will be. I understand the need to take a break from treatment. Gavin's body needs time to rejuvenate and get stronger so that he can sustain more treatments in the future. What is difficult is that treatment is active and waiting is passive. I mean that as long as Gavin is receiving treatment, I know everything is being done to heal him. During the break when there is no treatment, it seems like the cancer will have an opening to gain a bigger foothold. All in all, I expect it to be a nervewracking few months.

I guess it's a good thing we have many plans to distract us. Baseball season has officially started for the boys so if you can't find us at home, we'll be at Park Sharon. Austin has started games and he had the game of his life the other night. He hit a double and a triple and had 2 awesome plays in the field. Drew has just started practices and his games won't start until the middle of May. The church is having a covered dish/variety show this Saturday, May 5th. Drew is singing (of course-what a shocker) and so is Mackenzie. As much as she claims to not like Drew, she sure is emulating him in many ways!

I know I have said this before but we can't thank everyone enough for the support you have given us. We have enjoyed the meals and desserts that have been provided (weight watchers...what weight watchers!). I really need to say a special thank you to Kathy's mom for the beautiful flowers that she planted for me. Pray I don't kill them off! To everyone...thank you, thank you, thank you!

We are so blessed to be surrounded by friends that give us a shoulder to cry on and opportunities to laugh. We feel the prayers that are being sent out for us constantly and we ask that you continue to pray for us during these next few months, specifically ask for God to give us peace of mind and to ease our anxiety.

Embrace each day, cherish each moment, and love in abundance.

Maria