Not what we had hoped.....

I apologize for the silence, but yesterday was such a draining day that I just didn't have the energy to write last night. Unfortunately, the news we received yesterday was not what we wanted to hear. I spoke with Dr. Darwin around noon, and he confirmed what in our deepest of hearts we probably already knew, but had hoped and prayed that the 15% would be in our favor. Dad has an official diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Stage 2. Stage 2 is good. We'll take that. Although the mass is large, at 4cm, it appears to be contained to the pancreas. It appears to be able to be removed. All of the questions we now have going into this next step will be answered by the surgical oncologist, Dr. Alexander, next Friday, October 5th. That appointment will be a consult on next steps, scheduling the much anticipated surgery date, and determining exactly what the surgery will entail.

I am very thankful that my sister's family came up late Thursday night to be with Mom and Dad when they received the news yesterday. I would not have wanted them to have to stare at each other alone after receiving my call, and I was relieved to be able to talk with my brother-in-law, Marc, rather than Mom. Mom is having a hard time. Many of you want to know how Mom and Dad are doing. They are sad and....stressed....and just want things to progress more quickly than they are. We all do. They don't really want to talk about it or answer questions. Makes it difficult to stop thinking about it when you have to constantly talk about it.

Today was a GREAT day, however! Mom and Dad came to Virginia to my house for the day. Jill, Marc, and the kids were all here too. Sam and Will started their own "Hamilton Polar Bear Club" and were swimming in the pool. The guys watched the WVU game. Dad's "couch coaching" was in full swing and he even partook in a "fancy boy beer" (Dad's term for any beer other than Bud). Dad was great. He looked good. He ate well, and obviously his coaching was strong b/c they won! It was a much needed jaunt out of the house and out of WV for the day. From what Mom said, Dad mowed the lawn this morning.

I pray for an earlier appointment with Dr. Alexander. I pray for a surgery date that will be sooner than later. I pray for supernatural wisdom for each person at UMMC who will have Dad in his/her care. I pray that Mom and Dad can hold peace in their hearts at such a stressful time.

It's going to be a loooooong week.

Good night and love to all.....Jen