On February 16, 2010, our lives changed forever. We learned that John has advanced, stage 4, inoperable lung cancer. (He has never smoked a cigarette in his life.) It has spread to his spine, his pelvic bone, his adrenal glands, both eyes, and his brain. We were shocked when the oncologist gave us the prognosis: without treatment, the prognosis would be 1 month. With treatment, the median or average survival is 4 months. A really good prognosis, with treatment, is 12 months. He has seen some cases, however, where the patient has survived 3 years, and one has survived 7 years. The brain metastases are what make his prognosis so bad. We are hoping for a miracle, but we are going to accept the Lord's will in this matter. We have seen His hand in our lives, preparing us for all of this, and we are filled with gratitude for our many blessings. This is a blog to document our journey through this trial.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Walking on Air

To our everlasting joy, we've been blessed once again. John's March chest scan showed virtually no change from the one in January, so that was great news! We are so thankful and relieved. His next chest scan will be in two months, in mid-May. In early May he'll have a brain MRI. We remain full of hope and optimism.

We are celebrating for another reason: our son-in-law, Nate, just got a job teaching art at one of the UW campuses! We're so proud of him, to have gotten this job right out of school. He and our daughter Allison and their two little girls now live in southern California, and we are so thrilled that they will be moving so much closer to us this summer. We are all so happy and excited! John and I are walking on air. Now all three of our kids will be back in Wisconsin!

So you can see that we are feeling very blessed. Whatever lies ahead, we are prepared. As the Savior said, Be not afraid, only believe. And we feel strongly that faith is not only a feeling, it's also a decision. We have chosen faith.
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8 comments:

  1. EmilyApril 3, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    What fantastic news! Thanks for inspiring us with your faith.

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  2. AbbyApril 3, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    So glad to see your positive post! I am so excited to hear that Allison and her family are moving closer to home! How wonderful!!!

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  3. Spencer MorseApril 4, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Yay! Harvada I am so excited for you. You guys are amazing and the miracles are evidence of your Faith and Heavenly Father's love for you. Happy Spring.

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  4. Mary ClaireApril 4, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Fantastic news!!! I'm so happy for you! And it will be great for all of you to be together again. Sending you wishes, hope, love and prayers! Mary Claire

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  5. Tish SolomonApril 4, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    that's wonderful!! here's to faith!

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  6. Brule LakerApril 7, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    I've already checked in with John and heard the good news. Thanks for posting so everybody knows.

    I was in my synagogue last Saturday for my father's yahrzeit and said a prayer of healing for John. We are thinking of you.

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  7. Julie (Wisconsin)October 3, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    I love your phrase: And we feel strongly that faith is not only a feeling, it's also a decision. Thank you for always being a good example to us!

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  8. Julie (Wisconsin)October 3, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    I love your phrase: And we feel strongly that faith is not only a feeling, it's also a decision. Thank you for always being a good example to us!

    ReplyDelete

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