Sunday, December 18, 2016

Hard News

There’s no easy way to share this, or if there is, we haven’t found it.  We’ve been calling our family for the past day to tell them, and saying the words doesn’t get any easier no matter how many times you tell them.  If you are finding out here and think we should have called you instead, please accept our apology.

Katie’s cancer has returned, and it has spread.  There is a large (4-5cm) tumor in her lower right abdomen, and they see a few spots in both the liver and lungs.  I may go into how it was discovered in a later post, but for now it’s not important.  

We found out Friday morning and are scheduled to meet with a number of doctors this week to better understand what we’re dealing with and develop a game plan.  The big appointments are the surgeon on Monday and the oncologist on Thursday.  I expect to have additional information to share after each of those.  When he called to give us the news Friday,  the oncologist mentioned chemotherapy as a certainty and that there may be other non-surgical therapies to explore as well.  

Our family is rallying around us, and I’m sure many of you will be asking how you can help.  Thank you in advance.  I’m sure there will be a time when we ask for your help in more concrete ways, but for now the biggest thing you can do is pray.  

Please pray that God heals her by whatever means He chooses.  Pray for her strength to battle this disease and to approach each day with hope.  Pray for the wisdom and compassion of her doctors and all medical staff who treat her.  Pray for our children.  Pray for our parents, siblings, and extended family.  And please pray for me - I’ll need all the prayers I can get.  

Earlier this year, we were overwhelmed by your generosity in time, in prayers, and in sharing your treasure with us.  Some of you specifically mentioned that you hoped we could use some of the money for a family trip after chemo, and we were able to do just that.  In mid October, we spent a week in Yosemite National Park, California.  We chose Yosemite in part because it is close to my sister and her family, who live outside of San Francisco.  We had initially planned to spend a couple days with them and then go to Yosemite, but decided instead for them to come join us in Yosemite for a couple nights.  It was amazing.  If you haven't been, you should put it on your list.  It is the most beautiful place I've ever visited, and I imagine it's got to be top 5 in the world.  I've included a small handful of photos from that trip at the bottom.  Thank you so much for giving our family that gift.  


We’d also like to share with you some words that Katie wrote recently.  This was mostly written before we received word that her cancer had returned and spread, but we think it still applies, perhaps now more than before.  

- David

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This was actually going to be our Christmas letter, but as it turns out, I don’t think I’ll have time to mail it out, given our recent circumstances.  

To say that we are incredibly blessed and filled with gratitude is the understatement of the century.

Here’s some recent history.  In September of 2015, part of our roof failed, and our house flooded.  In November, after we had just gotten back in the house, David’s car was totaled by an uninsured motorist.  In February 2016, Katie was diagnosed with stage III appendiceal cancer.  It’s so rare, that spell check assumes the word is misspelled.  

We didn’t mention the house flooding to many in the past, or the totaled car.  But I mention it now. I bring it up to let you know how rough life can be.  We’ve been through the ringer. The other day David said “If we knew 10 years ago what we know now (changes in jobs, cars, 4 kids in 5 years, and everything else), we never would have A. believed that would be possible, and B. that we would have survived it.  But lo and behold, we are here.

Advent and Christmas are my favorite time of year.  It is the beginning of the most important time in our history.  It allowed us to hope.  It opened the way of our salvation.  Stay alert!  Be ready!  Our God is coming to save us!  Such strong words - It’s no wonder people expected Christ to come as a warrior ready to act.  And yet, and yet, he came to us so humbly and quietly. 

Life is such a gift - I know we hear that all the time, but our lives are held in existence because God is continually holding us in existence - his love is what keeps us here, it’s what gives us eternity, and it’s his love that gave us his only Son.  

Advent offers us joy in the midst of a penitential season.  Have you ever thought of that?  We have Gaudete Sunday in the middle of a time in the Church when she is asking you to offer some things up.  For we cannot experience joy without the struggle.

Stay alert!  Be ready!  It’s no surprise that a cancer diagnosis was a major blow.  And here we are again - begging for God’s grace and healing.  We have to continue to believe that God gives us what we need and more.  His generosity will not, can not be outdone.  He showered us with generosity through you - through your prayers, your donations, your meals, your words of wisdom, your embrace.  We are asking you once again, to cover our family in prayer.  As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us be filled with hope - hope that I am healed, but more importantly hope that God’s will is fulfilled.  Come Holy Spirit, Thy will be done.  That is my prayer.















































19 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures!
    I will pray for Katie and her whole family.

    Lots of love,
    Maria Davidson

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  2. www.gerson.org

    My friends Mom is now cancer free because of this. It makes sense.

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  3. Please be assured of our constant prayers Katie. Sending love and peace your way.

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  4. Sending all the prayers I can. And offering time, should there be anything I can do! Our lives may have taken us apart, but y'all are always in my heart.
    Jessica Littlejohn

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  5. Katie - it seems like yesterday we were all goofing around Tommy More. You have such a beautiful family and your faith in such a difficult time is inspiring. You are in our prayers.

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  6. Know that your family will be in my prayers...I feel drawn to tell you about Dr. Issam Nemeh. He is an anathesiologist by trade, by now has his own practice and also offers healing services. He will even pray over the phone. Anyway, many miracles happen each and every day. Blind see. Fingers grow back. Tumors disappear. Paralyzed move...Our family alone has had many, many miracles..blindfaithlive.com has some miracle stories (I am #33). He has been on Dr. Oz, 700 Club, and other shows. Dr. Nemeh is so connected with God; that God works directly through him; thus, miracles happen. May the Holy Spirit fill you and guide you. God bless.

    Jenny Shanahan

    Dr. Issam Nemeh
    Rocky River, Ohio
    (440) 892-4300
    Pathtofaith.com is his website

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    1. I'm a stranger to you except for the fact that I think we both are in a group on FB. Your words here are so beautiful-- I'll be keeping your sister in prayer-- as well as your family ^¡^

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    2. We are not friends either, but saw this through a friendship we share. You are living a life I have lived...and I do believe there are days that are inhumane...that were just meant to survive until night fall...and some times those days come in rows. And the only thing that got us through those days could not be explained in any other way but Grace, and it is the one prayer i have found in this life that God never, ever refuses. Our prayers for grace. And so on this Christmas, I will pray for you and an all encompassing blanket of God's most merciful Grace.

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  7. Praying for all of you and your special intentions. 💗

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  8. Katie, you are in our prayers!
    Kely Franzonello

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  9. Katie & David .. All of you will be in my prayers. As will your mom and dad. Yes, let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Send you love, hope and peace. Cheryl Dubroc

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  10. Katie & David .. All of you will be in my prayers. As will your mom and dad. Yes, let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Send you love, hope and peace. Cheryl Dubroc

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  12. I will continue to keep Kate and the entire family in my prayers. And ask for the intecession of St. Anthony, St. Peregrine (patron for cancer), Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, and St. Rita Di Cascia. The only suggestion I can suggest is look at taking Nigella Seeds, Saffron Tea, and Curcurmin and if it is okay with the doctors. My mother took this during her treatment and it helps to build the immune system and fight cancer cells while undergoing chemotherapy. Right now she had her first scan after Stage 3 lung cancer and it was clear. You are in my prayers and I will be sure to bring your name to St. Anthony Tomb in Padua Italy. Much love, prayers and blessings to you and your family.

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  13. Including Katie and the family in daily prayers!

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  14. Dear Katie! I'm just learning about your story this morning, and I wanted to let you know that I will be praying for you. Thank you for your beautiful witness of courage and strength. Jesus, we trust in You! Much love,
    Gertrud (Bianchi) Harlan

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