Happy New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2009, we want to thank all of our family and friends for their support and love this year. It's been a tough one and we couldn't have done it without all of you. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement along the way. You are all much appreciated!

Happy New Year! May God bless you and keep you all in 2010!

With love and gratitude....

The Griffiths

P.S. No chemo this week! Marc gets a break to start getting ready for surgery. We are hoping chemo is done and in the past. We are praying that we will enjoy a cancer free 2010! We'll keep you posted on our progress....We anticipate a very busy January and February.

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei

I apologize for not updating here last night. I had many reports from friends that said they checked back repeatedly for updates last night. I am so sorry. Yesterday was an incredibly full day at the doctor's office and clinic. We got out quite late and then headed to the kids' school for Julia's Christmas program. It was a very full day and my mind was numb by the time we got home. I just ran out of steam! Anyhow....

Pseudomyxoma Peritonei. Big words. Rare cancer. After almost two rounds of chemo and ten months, the doctors believe they have a refined diagnosis. Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) is a rare, slow growing cancer, that usually originates from the appendix. It typically does not spread through the lymph system and is treated most successfully with major surgery. So...we met with the surgeon and we are going forward carefully with preparations for surgery. The surgeon at OHSU is willing to operate; however, he is wanting us to consult with a group in Washington D.C. that does these procedures on a regular basis. We are gathering our wits and our records and will be taking the first steps in what will hopefully make Marc cancer free.

We are cautiously optimistic at this point that we have a diagnosis that makes sense. We have run this race so long now and are wary of getting too excited (or upset) by any news we receive. Allowing all this information to soak in has been tough. We have prayed so hard that he could be cured of this. All the information until now has indicated that would take a miracle. I'll go with that and accept this news as such. People can actually survive this stuff and go on to live normal lives. If what they suspect is true, Marc has a good chance of beating this.

With that being said, the surgery is MAJOR. The operation can take all day. He will be in ICU and on a respirator for several days. It will take him, if all goes well, a month to recover from the surgery and even then there are risks of infection and complications. Fortunately, he remains strong and healthy and will hopefully be able to tolerate it relatively well.

Right now we are making initial plans for all of this to take place. While the doctor in D.C. is looking at his file, we will also be going forward with the doctors here. His last chemotherapy treatment of this round will be in two weeks. He then gets January off to recover and distract himself with work. He has a CT scan scheduled and possibly a laparoscopy. The laparoscopy would be done to assess the tumor in case we can't be treated in D.C. The surgeon here would like a look around to get an idea of what the surgery will entail.

As we are taking these initial steps, we would appreciate your continued prayers. There are lots of details to work out, tests to complete, and information to gather. We need to make wise choices and ask hard questions. If you have time in the next few weeks, would you pray for us? Here are some of the major concerns:

• This new diagnosis is correct
• The tumor is operable. His CT scan is the first week in January. We hope it remains unchanged.
• We are able to have the surgery with this group in Washington D.C. We are hoping they find him a good candidate and accept him.
• Our insurance will cover this surgery -- here or in D.C.
• The logistics work out. We have a lot to organize if we are to be gone from here for a month or more.
• Ultimately, if Marc is able to have the surgery, we pray that it is a huge success and not a difficult recovery.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support. I hope you are as encouraged as I am by all that God has done for us. Please drop us a line if you would like more information. If you are curious about his diagnosis you can find information on Wikipedia -- just type in Psedomyxoma Peritonei. It's pretty amazing.

With love and gratitude....

Thanksgiving Memories...

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving together with family and friends. We made some really great memories and had a lot of laughs. Highlights were Marc's sister, Jenni, and her family making the long haul from California to be with us. We loved the chaos of six more people in the house. Great times cooking together, eating, and catching up. We also enjoyed the company of several friends -- Ruth & Steve, Diane, and Tony. Thanks for being part of our day! Then there was our local family. I LOVE tradition, so it's always a blessing to be able to stop what we are doing and really enjoy being together. Even though we see each other often, the holidays give us a reason to do nothing but just visit and enjoy a yummy meal. We have so much to be thankful for this year, but many of our biggest blessings were sitting around our table last week.

So here are some pictures from our cozy and crazy day!

THANKSGIVING...GRIFFITH STYLE

Enlist the help of willing workers.
Stuff the turkey....

Massage it well...

Take one mother....


Add another...

Add some sugar...

...and a few hugs.

Thanksgiving!
It's about sweethearts...

Enjoying big brothers...

and little brothers.

Aunties that spoil us...

...and uncles, too.

It's deep conversations...

and laughing hard...

... then spreading the joy!

When the day is done and all have departed....

Clean it all up in style!

We hope you all enjoyed your own special day this Thanksgiving. Thank you for supporting us and praying for us!

With love and gratitude...

Doing Well...

Sorry I haven't been back to this place for a few weeks. Thanksgiving was a wonderful, but busy time for us. We enjoyed good family and friends...and an extra week away from the chemo clinic. It was great! More on that later...

Marc had his 7th chemo treatment up at OHSU today. We met with the nurse practitioner first. Nothing new to report -- he remains very stable. The day was very uneventful. We are anxious to meet with the surgeon on the 16th and find out what we will be doing next. We are holding our breath for good news!

We are excited around here. The kids will be getting their swine flu and seasonal flu boosters tonight. I was also able to get a swine flu shot yesterday. This is a huge praise! While it doesn't protect us from every little bug, it certainly helps to reduce the risk of bringing home two viruses that could hurt Marc. We have been staying away from a lot of our regular activities, trying to avoid the flu. We feel a bit more confident about getting out and about now that we are vaccinated. Given that it's the Christmas season, we would really like to participate in all the parties and gatherings.

Thanks again for the prayers and encouragement. We rely heavily on it! I am hoping to post some pictures from Thanksgiving. We had a really wonderful week! We had, and continue to have, so much to be thankful for!

With love and gratitude...

Initial Tumor Board Results

Marc heard back today from his doctor's nurse. Seems like we get some good news to celebrate over Thanksgiving! First, his tumor marker has dropped 100 points since he started this new treatment. This was the first test the doctor has done since we started at OHSU. They don't seem as focused on the tumor markers at this clinic, but it's nice knowing that all tests indicate we are going in the right direction.

Second, they are referring Marc back to the surgeon! She didn't relay exactly what was discussed or determined in the meeting, but obviously it was enough to warrant a meeting with the surgeon again. We will be scheduling that soon and will let you all know what he recommends.

Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement. I know many of you have been checking back here for updates. We have become accustomed to how slow this process is, but for those of you that aren't veterans of the oncology world we know the waiting is tough :) Thanks for being faithful and patient!

On another note, we would ask that your pray for Jessica's niece. This sweet girl is battling leukemia and could really use our prayers. Apparently there is some concern about the health of the bones in her feet. The treatment she is taking is causing some concerning side effects. We have learned personally that sometimes the side effects of the treatment are as hard and as complicated as the disease itself. So, while we are giving praise to God for encouraging news in our cancer camp, we would be grateful if you could remember this young lady and pray hard for the health of her bones. She has an appointment on Friday. Let's all pray for happy news!

With love and gratitude....

Tumor Board

We had a big day today. Marc met with his doctor this morning and we were very encouraged. His doctor has asked to present Marc's case to the OHSU tumor board tomorrow morning. His objective is to determine if we should reconsider surgery as an option for Marc's tumor. Remember, a few weeks ago we were disappointed that neither the surgical oncologist or the medical oncologist thought it wise to operate. So, we were rather surprised when he suggested that it may still be an option. His thinking is that his cancer isn't growing and it isn't spreading. Oddly enough, his cancer doesn't behave as they would expect it to behave. His thinking is that we can go in and debulk the tumor, giving Marc a huge break from chemo. Needless to say, this appeals very much to Marc. The idea of "resetting the clock" as the doctor put it, seems much better than endless chemo treatments. We are hopeful again that we might be able to have surgery.

We would appreciate your prayers as the board meets tomorrow. Please pray for direction and wisdom as the doctors brainstorm and debate his case. We want to do whatever is best for Marc's overall health.

We would appreciate prayers on a few other fronts, too. Marc's side effects are cumulative with his chemo. Each round gets tougher and this one seems like it is going to be difficult. We would be grateful if you would pray that his nausea and fatigue are minimal. Also, Swine Flu is everywhere around us. Our kids are some of the last standing in their classes. Please pray that the kids don't bring this crud home. I worry not just for them, but for Marc being immune compromised.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We were greatly encouraged today and count it a tremendous blessing! On a good note, Marc was able to postpone his next treatment for an extra week. He gets three weeks off and will be able to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends! We are really looking forward to it. We have much for which to be thankful!

With love and gratitude.....

The Gift of Laughter

This has not been the best week. From appliances breaking, swine flu worries, property taxes, chemo week, to a myriad of other inconveniences, we have had our fill of stress. The result has been one very crabby, negative me. Add to that my kids that seem to have boycotted obedience and cooperation (not relative at all to the crabby mom), and my patience and smiles have all but evaporated. By yesterday my mood was spiraling into the pit -- I was done. I just wanted to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my grumpy self. No such luck. We had work to do and it was Halloween. Unfortunately, both required my participation. My complete burn out would have to wait.

We spent the morning cleaning out the garden. I had let it go long enough. Everything was rotting and needed to be moved to the compost pile. I enlisted the family and they were good sports. We muddled through despite the pouring down rain. Getting it finished lifted my spirits a bit. The mess in the garden had been a monkey on my back for weeks. I was grateful for the help and a job well done. I even found myself cracking a few smiles as I watched the kids having a mud fight and lobbing rotten tomatoes. It was short lived, though. Mud fights in the rain result in heaps of laundry. Laundry requires a washing machine. Mine decided this weekend was a good weekend to stop working. Grrr.

My grubby helpers

By afternoon I was quite the sourpuss. The idea of loading up the kids to go trick-or-treating did not appeal. There was no getting out of it, though. So we loaded Swamp Monster, Ninja Dude, Supergirl, and the Fairy, into the minivan and trekked to Ryan and Jess's. My goal was to survive the evening without completely losing patience with my kids. Despite my foul mood, I really didn't want to be the party pooper. They were excited and I had zero desire to ruin the evening for them.

One thing about Jess is that she is fun. I have always loved her spontaneity and ability to lighten things up. Add her hubby, Ryan, and it's impossible not to have some real laughs. We hadn't been at their house for ten minutes when I could feel the heaviness of the week starting to subside. I found myself enjoying myself and my mood shifting. By the time Matt and Amy arrived, I was actually having fun. We had a great time with the kids. It was crazy....six adults and twelve kids. We traipsed through the neighborhood until the pumpkins were loaded. By the end the little ones couldn't lift their candy buckets and had to be carried home. Good memories for them, great candy selection for Dad and Mom!

Dads make the best sherpas

We headed back to the house and the kids settled into a movie and obligatory candy sampling. Ryan and Jess broke out the entertainment. First, we got to watch Jess walk on Ryan's back. All that walking really took it out of him, I guess. I won't likely forget that image very soon. Still makes me laugh out loud thinking about it. Then they busted out Cranium. Highlights of the game were watching Matt do an impression of Tsa Tsa Gabor, Ryan acting out the word "rodeo" in front of their picture window (we had no trick-or-treaters after that), and the piece de resistance....Jess trying to hum the soundtrack to Star Wars. From the two notes she was able to utter we couldn't really figure it out. We weren't sure if she was trying to hum something or clearing a large ball of phlegm from her throat. We lost that round.

I don't know if Ryan felt better after this, or not...

At midnight we packed up our sticky, tired kids and headed for home. There was no fighting or grumps on the ride home. Everyone had their fill of fun and seemed content. As for me, I woke up on a much better side of the bed this morning. Amazing what a few good laughs will do for the soul.

In this season that we find ourselves in, it's easy to forget to laugh. It's easy to succumb to the negative, dark, and sad thoughts. When I focus too long on what is wrong, I lose sight of all God has given me that is right. Before I know it, joy is gone, laughter missing, and eventually hope is scarce. I find it a huge battle to keep laughter and joy in our hearts and in our home. Sometimes I can't drag myself up on my own and I need others to remind me of what is really important. Thanks Ryan and Jess! Thanks Matt and Amy! We are grateful for the fun and laughter last night. I for one needed it :)

Awwww....

More fun smiles! Thanks, guys!

With love and much gratitude...

Results

Just a quick update on the results from Marc's CT scan and his KRAS tests. First, his CT scan shows that the tumor is unchanged. While not the glowing report we were hoping for, it's the next best thing. He remains stable -- seems like the tumor remains the same as it has since he started treatment in March. Also, the cancer has not spread anywhere. For those of you not familiar with our world...that's a good thing. We count it a blessing today.

His KRAS results were disappointing. The cancer has mutated so that it will not respond to the treatment that the doctor had hoped to add to his regimen. This just means that we do not have an extra arrow in our quiver. Fortunately, the treatment he is on seems to be pushing back and the doctor is pleased that the disease has not progressed.

Marc continues to tolerate treatment well. He looks and feels good (the best indication of how the therapy is working). At this point he is scheduled out through the end of the year for treatments. He will be scanned again in January and will likely get a break from chemo to allow his body and immune system to recover after the first of the year.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We are grateful for you all. Despite the frustrations of this stubborn disease, we remain encouraged and determined. We are doing well....really :)

With love and gratitude...

It Was A Dark and Not-So-Rainy Night....

The Recipe for a wonderful birthday party....

Take one little birthday girl...

and add another....

Take family...

And friends...

Mix liberally...

Garnish with one hundred roasted hot dogs....

Countless caramel apples...

Finish with gift opening...

A special cake....

And voila! The result is one happy 4 year old!

Thank you to all who came and made Sophia's birthday special.

It was a fun night.

We are all grateful!

With love and much gratitude...

Time Flies...

The old adage "time flies when you're having fun" really resonates with us these days. Seems like the days between treatments whip by. We enjoy those days of relative normalcy. Today we found ourselves back at the clinic, but with somewhat better attitudes and emotions than the last go round. The doctor didn't have a lot of new information, but here is what we learned:

• The KRAS tests were not complete. We should have the results in two weeks. This DNA test determines if the tumor has mutated. If it has not mutated, there is an additional chemotherapy drug that can be added to his current regimen, increasing the chance that the tumor will shrink.




• His CT scan is next Wednesday. We will have the results the same day as the KRAS results.




• Marc's weight, appetite, blood counts, and energy level remain very good. He remains in surprisingly good health.




• The doctor seemed to think his abdomen was softer during his exam. We both chuckled at this because the last doctor at the last clinic said the same thing, when in reality nothing had changed. We will wait to see the CT scan results before we get too excited :)
  
  
• The doctor remained encouraged and positive. He seems very determined to work on this aggressively with us.

So, all in all, it was a fairly good day. We have hopes that we will hear good news at his next appointment with the doctor. We have appreciated all the prayers in the last two weeks. We were both pretty agitated and depressed after the last appointment. Today was a huge improvement. We are so grateful for all the encouragement from all of you! A special thanks to Dave for coming down every week to sit with us. I enjoy the emotional support and having a lunch buddy. Marc enjoys sitting with someone other than his overly-doting-helicopter-wife for several long hours. Thanks, Dave, for driving down every week! It's a huge sacrifice of time and effort. We are HUGELY grateful!

The last two weeks have gone really well. We were able to sneak away with the Aaar-Veeh this weekend and visit Ft. Stevens with our friends Lil and Lew and their sweet family. The weather was incredible! We had great fun playing outside, biking, and exploring the old battlements. Lil and Lew introduced us to the fun of crabbing. Good grief! We have never seen so many crab! We indulged in crab for almost every meal -- crab chowder, crab cakes, crab omelets. Oh my! Consequently, we learned Adam and Ben are allergic to crab. Who knew! After four rashy, hivey, days it looks like they are finally coming out of it. Ah...memories. Here are some pics from the weekend fun. I'll catch up with you all soon! Life has been crazy, but good things are happening.

With love and gratitude...

Marc, Lil, and Peter Iredale wreckage. Very cool!

I don't know what is scarier....The Jeep covered in cobwebs

or the fact that a three year old was behind the wheel!

A fun bunch O' kids!


Marc and Me (a.k.a The Doter)

Scene 2, Act 3

Well, we are on treatment cycle number 3 of this new chemo regimen. The doctor added Avastin back into the mix yesterday. We weren't too thrilled. Marc was on this during his last treatment cycle and it has some unpleasant side effects -- most notably gushing nosebleeds. Everything else remains the same.

This cycle has already been harder on him. Emotionally it's a drag. He was feeling wonderful this weekend, so going into the clinic yesterday was hard. Knowing that he is going in feeling great and will leave feeling awful is a huge hurdle. As pleasant as OHSU is, it's still chemo. It's a grind. We scheduled his treatments out through the end of the year. This process will be part of our lives for the foreseeable future.

We aren't sure if it's the Avastin or just the cumulative effects of the chemo, but he hasn't been able to manage the nausea this round. The last two treatment cycles had been so mild that we thought we would be able to avoid this unpleasant side effect. Looks like not. Unfortunately, this makes going back in for the next round that much harder.

He has another treatment in two weeks. The following week (three weeks from yesterday) he will have another CT scan. Again, we are praying that the scan will show obvious shrinkage. We are also hoping that we will get some encouraging results from the DNA tests they are running on his biopsy samples. It may be that we will have more options for treatment if the cancer has not mutated in a particular way. So much to take in...

I just wanted to update you all on how he is doing. We could really use your prayers this week as he is finishing up this round. It's a drag. It's hard not being able to do anything to make it better for him. As usual he doesn't complain. He remains our hero.

Aaaaaaarrrr-Veeeh

On Friday we loaded up the kids, a mountain of homework, the dog, the bunny, and headed up to Lost Lake for the weekend. We had to try out the recently acquired 5th Wheel, which we fondly refer to as the RV; however, you must say it this way: Aaaaarrrr-Veeeh....preferably with the Cousin Eddy twang. For those of you that are die hard RV people, we know it isn't an RV. It's a trailer. Aaaaarrrr-Veeeh is just more fun to say. So there.

Anyhow, we had a wonderful weekend. It was a bit of reality check, though. When Marc and I were dating and newlyweds we were backpack campers. We would take off for a long weekend and walk around Mt. Hood or Sisters. No tent, freeze dried food, and no bathroom facilities save for a trowel and a tree. After we were married we graduated to horses and trail riding -- it's easier on the knees and the view is great. We still roughed it, but we covered a lot more ground in less time. Then came the kids. We remained die hard campers. Tents all the way! Every year we would cram the back of the truck with bikes,stroller, tents, coolers, and a sundry of other supplies. We would spend the weekend tent camping. We were filthy, we would juggle the coolers and food, and we would freeze at night, but we would have a wonderful time. There were some perks to tent camping. Pit toilets and food that didn't have to be reconstituted were big improvements over backpacking or horse packing. We would mock those "campers" that would roll into the campground with their camping rigs. Wimps. That was until last summer when we got rained out. I recall standing there beneath the sagging tarps as the kids shivered next to the dying fire. Hey, kids! Isn't this fun? Over in the next camp spot Mr. and Mrs. RV were revving up their generator. Probably turning on the heat and changing into dry clothes. Sigh.

After that trip we talked briefly about the pros and cons of getting an RV or trailer. It would be great, but we just couldn't justify the cost. No, we were going to have to stick with the ol' tent. So, this year when we were offered a hand me down fifth wheel in great condition we jumped at the opportunity. After this weekend, we realized what a blessing it is! Heat is not overrated. Neither is a toilet at 2 a.m. Need I mention a kitchen? Oh, yes, we are eating crow and it is tasty! There is no going back now.

Needless to say we had a great weekend. Marc felt good, the kids were happy for the change of scenery, the weather was perfect, and our faithful friends, Steve, Mel and their kids, made it a great weekend! It was a wonderful break from work, school, and the clinic. We are refreshed and geared up for treatment tomorrow. Many thanks to Carrol and Karen for giving us such an amazing deal on the Aaaaaarrr-Veeeeh. It's a huge blessing and we love it!

Silly Sophie!

Marc and his girl

One should not try taking a family picture on the last day of camping. Can we all say Grubby!

The whole gang!

Bunny Saga Continues

Many of you have asked how the infamous bunnies are doing. After a week of little Star trying to commit suicide, we decided to let her go. Basically, every time Julia went near the cage to play with her she would freak out and jump so violently that she would smash herself on the roof of the hutch. I spent some time reiterating to Julia that she was a wild animal and would likely never be tame enough to play with. She was sad, but in the end she made the right choice. Star is now off free to do what wild bunnies do. I'm sure we will enjoy seeing Star's offspring roaming the property for many years to come!

While we still have to two rabbits that came with the hutch, Julia was so sad to lose the cute little baby bunny. I compromised with her and told her we would shop for just the right baby bunny for her. Who is the big softy now? Sigh. Anyhow, we finally located the perfect baby for her and picked it up today. Sugar is the newest addition. She is half English Lop, half Champagne. She looks a lot like Star, but sports some really crazy ears and is incredibly mellow. While she is only 8 weeks old, she appears to be full grown. I anticipate this will be quite a large bunny before all is said and done!

So, enjoy the pictures and teasing me about being the softer parent! It all ends well....Julia is one delighted girl.

Reflection

The last couple of weeks are hard to sum up. Sometimes it's easier to process the present when I reflect on the past. I think back to mid June and July when we were frustrated and upset. It seemed like nothing was going our way and everything seemed so bleak. There was also the post, "Uncle," from April when I shared some tough emotions, too. We have had quite of few of those times in the last seven months. I'm thinking of the times when things have been so bad that they don't seem like they could get any worse, but then somehow they do.

I like reflecting back on those times. I become more aware of the good times and our abundant blessings. We are in one of those seasons right now. We have enjoyed a truly amazing couple of weeks. Counting blessings this month doesn't seem to take the hard effort that it has in recent months. Life has been fun and pleasant -- a welcome change in our world.

I'll summarize some of the best parts of the last couple of weeks. I'll try to keep it brief....

• OHSU continues to be a wonderful place. We are grateful to be there. The care is thorough and they truly make the patient experience as positive as possible.
• Marc is doing great with this chemo regimen. While it's never a cake walk, this treatment seems much more tolerable.
• In addition to the treatment being easier on his system, it appears that he is getting initial benefit from it. He said last week that he was pain free and feeling as good as he has in over a year!
• Marc and I enjoyed a work retreat in Vancouver, B.C. this past weekend. We enjoyed the time being just "us" and having a break from the kids. The last time we had that much time alone was when Marc was in the hospital in February. Granted, those accommodations were expensive and he did have room service, but we much preferred the lovely accommodations and activities that his employer provided in beautiful B.C.! It was a refreshing time away.
• Marc's work is going well. He is enjoying being back in the game again. I'm happy having my house and routine back :) Life is pretty normal (whatever that is) these days.
• The kids returned to school this week. Please picture me right now doing an exuberant dance of joy! Can I just say...Woo-hoo!!!!
• The most memorable experience, though, has been Marc connecting with his father and sister. Marc has never had the opportunity to meet his dad or his family until two weeks ago. We have tried unsuccessfully for years to locate him, but we always ran into dead ends. This time was different! A couple of pieces of the puzzle came together and we were able to contact him. This has been a very positive experience for Marc and he is enjoying learning about his father, sisters, and a very rich family heritage.

So, all in all, we don't have much to complain about. Life is good and we are enjoying the abundant blessings in our lives right now. It's humbling looking back on the sadder and gloomier posts. I wish I had known then about how good things were going to be a few short weeks away when I was in those darker places. I guess that's why I'm reflecting now. The next time the darkness closes in, I will do my best to remember this season. He takes away...and He gives. For all those prayers I cried out for relief and comfort....I am now offering back in prayers of thanksgiving. I am grateful for this time and the good things in it!

I just want to say thanks to all of you for caring about us so much. We are grateful to our friends and loved ones. This continues to be a game of endurance. Thank you for staying with us during the really rough times. Your encouragement and prayers have meant so very much to us. Because of that it's always so much fun to post something positive and good. Thanks for letting us share our good news!

With love and gratitude....

So Far So Good...

I have waited to update everyone on how Marc's treatment went this week. We wanted to see how he did after he was disconnected from the pump. Typically disconnect day and the day following are the worst.

We are happy to report that this round went great! The experience at OHSU continues to be positive and (almost) pleasant. This new chemo drug seems to be a little easier on his body, too. He didn't have any of the side effects they predicted and the nausea and fatigue have been minimal. We are really grateful for the arsenal of anti-nausea drugs they sent home with him. Some are scheduled doses, but others are to be taken "as needed." He has been able to stay ahead of the queasy stomach for the most part. Hooray! In addition he has been able to sleep -- something that can be difficult with the steroids he has to take. So, all in all it was a tolerable experience. He is pain free, eating, and rested. We hope that they all go like this :)

We would appreciate continued prayer regarding the chemo regimen. We really need this tumor to shrink. The last medication was somewhat effective in that the tumor didn't grow, but we would like to gain on it and actually have it shrink. Surgery is an option ONLY if the tumor gets smaller. Marc has always wanted surgery, but to achieve that the cancer has to shrink. He will have a CT scan in another three treatments to see where we stand.

His CT scan from a couple of weeks ago shows that the cancer is still limited to his omental lining. His organs continue to look great and it hasn't spread. They still can't find the original source of his tumor. After 6 CT scans in six months, they have yet to determine where it came from. This is very rare. We pray that this continues to be the case. His doctors continue to be baffled by this. Knowing how odd this is, we are grateful to be at a university hospital that is interested in figuring it out!

As always, we are so grateful for all of your prayers and support. You have all been so kind in inquiring how we are doing. That is a huge comfort to us. Thanks for remembering us and lifting us up!

With love and gratitude....

On the Subject of Teachers

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken
joy in creative expression and knowledge.

- Albert Einstein

As a college freshman, I struggled to succeed in my classes. What I had excelled at in high school was now a challenge. I was especially discouraged by my grades on writing assignments. Class after class, paper after paper, I received mediocre or poor grades. The entire first term I was frustrated with myself and with school. I felt woefully ill-prepared for college. I muddled on and eventually found myself in Intro to Microeconomics with an infamous Professor Azzi. His reputation had preceded him -- between the Azzi legends and the syllabus, I was overwhelmed. Economics had always intrigued me, but by this time I knew intrigue wasn't enough. I was going to have to prove myself and that meant writing some decent papers.

When my first paper was returned, I was horrified. I had earned a C-. Worse was the fact that my paper looked like Jack-the-Ripper had graded it. Red lines through entire sentences, grammatical corrections, and notes in the corners, made my paper look like a ritual blood letting. Worse was the No! No! No! written in response to the conclusion I had drawn. Ugh. As hard as it was to read the comments and accept the grade, I was determined to get through the class. I loved the subject and I was beginning to enjoy this bear of a professor that seemed to intimidate so many.

I turned in my second paper. I received a C and no fewer bleeding comments. I mustered up the courage while writing my third paper and dropped into his office. I thought, perhaps, that he would spend a few minutes and help me refine my rough draft. I was wrong. A few minutes turned into an hour, lots of chalk and legal paper, more red pen on my paper, and a few good laughs. I left his office determined to do better. And I did.

Over the next three years, I continued to shadow Azzi's door. He was always available. I often struggled with concepts, but he was always encouraging and insisted that I could comprehend even the most difficult ideas. I slowly gained confidence in what was now my major and the ability to put together thoughts on paper. My papers bled less over time and I knew that the Yes! scribbled in the margin was well earned. To this day I am grateful for all that he did to help me. He was a great teacher and advisor. I am privileged to know him as a friend, as well as his wife, Jane. They both continue to be a great encouragement to me, even in this current season of uncertainty.

My days of being a student are gone. I now get to enjoy watching my kids forge relationships with their teachers. We have been so blessed by all the teachers the kids have had. I love watching my kids delight in what they learn, curiosity fed by teachers that love to teach.

The boys had the opportunity to be in Mrs. Fosters third grade class last year. In hindsight, it was God's perfect timing. Not only did she engage the boys and direct their curiosity, she dealt with their sorrow and concern over their dad. She consistently prayed with them and for us. She kept the boys focused and engaged on what needed to be done in school, but did it with compassion and understanding for what they were experiencing personally. She helped Adam and Ben navigate a very difficult time in their lives.

Over the months, I had the opportunity to talk at length with Mrs. Foster. Sometimes about the boys, but often about Marc and our family. I have found her wisdom and faith a comfort and encouragement. As the school year ended and summer began, we invited her to help us with our garden. We spent weekend days planting and weeding, picking, and enjoying each other's company. She and her husband, Steve, have become wonderful friends. They have watched the kids so Marc and I could get away, we have enjoyed meals together...just visiting and laughing. I love watching all my kids delight in the activities they come up with and the neat ways that they engage the kids in learning. What a gift!

Today Mrs. Foster watched the boys for the day so that I could go to chemo with Marc. When we picked them up this afternoon they were so excited to tell us all they had done. She had spent the day delighting them -- movies, hamburgers, walks to the park, board games. This evening as I tucked Adam in he said quietly, "Mom, I didn't want to leave today. I had so much fun. It felt like I was leaving family."

I know that Mrs. Foster will leave a lasting impression on my children, just as Professor Azzi left a lasting impression on me. It is not understanding the Giffin paradox or aggregate supply and demand that I associate with my professor. And, it is not nouns or the multiplication tables that have most impressed my boys. I have no doubt we will retain what we learned in their classrooms; however, I would wager that these teachers have left a more important legacy with their students: One of friendship, encouragement, and inspiration.

Thank you, Professor Azzi. Thank you, Mrs. Foster.
With love and gratitude...

P.S. My friend, Liz, sent a link to this story about her dad. Another story of how a student was profoundly impacted by a teacher. Enjoy.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-stroke-teacher-student-31-aug31,0,5182203.story?page=1&track=rss

Hi-Ho...Hi-Ho...

When I woke up this morning the house didn't sound like it usually does. Didn't smell right, either. There was no sound of Marc helping the kids get their breakfast. No smell of my coffee brewing. On Marc's good days, his gift to me for the past seven months has been to handle the kids and make my coffee in the morning. Not this morning. I'm on my own.

Today is a huge day for our family. Marc is officially back at work! We are so excited! His employer found him a project that is local and that will be flexible with his chemotherapy schedule. An overwhelming blessing if you really think about it.

We have been very humbled by Marc's employer. They have been supportive beyond what anyone would expect in our situation. His boss visited Marc in the hospital when things looked so bleak, they hired a housekeeper for me while we figured out chemo and...well...life in the early weeks. They have been helpful and compassionate while he was on disability. Now, they have encouraged us by finding an assignment that is just perfect for this time. He needed to get his mind back in gear and exercise his talents. While making my coffee no doubt gave him tremendous satisfaction and joy...I'm thinking he is enjoying his work today a whole lot more!

We have given thanks for many things over the past few months. We feel abundantly blessed by family, friends, and a great church. We are also humbled by having an employer that has been so incredibly supportive. We are more than thankful to be able to maintain our home, have meals on the table, and keep life as normal as possible for our kids, during this time. Health insurance and a paycheck are HUGE gifts in this household! We recognize that without them, our life and Marc's cancer treatment would look a whole lot different right now.

So, today we give thanks for employment and an employer that cares. Thank you Slalom Consulting! We consider you one of our many blessings in this season of our lives.

With that...I'm heading to the kitchen to make my own coffee!

Have a great day!
With love and gratitude...

Jumanji and The Perfect Torte

Sunday was quite the day. We went to the Clackamas County Fair for most of the day and indulged in rides, checked out the livestock and "As-Seen-On-TV" merchandise, ate cotton candy, burgers, corn dogs, lemonade...and my new favorite...deep fried apple pie! Sigh. Only in America.... I truly felt like Templeton the Rat when we waddled away. We were heading home with our sugar-cranked kids, when we received an invite for an evening barbecue with Mel and Steve. After discussing logistics, we decided we should grill at our house. We hit the door and I tried to pick up a bit -- basically I kicked the pile of laundry growing outside of our laundry room inside and slammed the door on it, then threw the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. Good enough! Outside the kids were wearing off their sugar high and gearing up for more fun with friends. The fact that they were as hyper as rabid chihuahuas didn't phase me. Mel and Steve have proven that they love us over the years, despite our less-than-perfect kids and tornado hit house.

Mel and Steve showed up and the kids took off outside. The day had been full already, but at this point the evening took on a life of its own. As Mel was chopping watermelon she slipped with her knife and about took off the end of her finger. Jumping back, she knocked the ten pound melon to the floor -- I have never seen a melon explode before. Wow. I was mesmerized by the pink goo and juice all over my already crunchy, disgusting floors. Ah yes...Mel's finger. After I drew my riveted attention away from the melon mayhem, I was able to help Mel piece her finger back together. With the finger bandaged and the kitchen put back together, we could now focus our attention on our warring children who were engaged in World War III in our backyard. Between the boys hollering at the girls, the girls stomping and sneering at the boys, and the dog running circles around everyone, it was a regular scene from Jumanji. About the only thing missing was the rhino running through the yard.

After dinner, all was fairly calm. There was an occasional scuffle between the kids and an outburst of verbal assaults, but relative to the earlier scene it was much more serene. I took the opportunity to ask Kasie to help me trim the rabbits' nails. I had no more started trimming nails when the boys and Julia ran around the corner. "Mr. and Mrs. Mayer are here!" they whooped. Sure enough, around the corner came the kids' principal and kindergarten teacher, and their granddaughter, Jenna. My delight gave way to panic...First, my kids looked like they had rolled in dirt (actually I think they had), second my mind raced for a minute: Had I or had I not taken a shower today? I couldn't remember, and doubtful at this point if it would matter anyway. After a day at the fair, splattering melon and bleeding fingers, and now with a fine covering of rabbit hair, I was about as far from clean as...well...my kids. So, the fact that the lovely, coiffed, Mrs. Mayer was picking her way across our lawn, gracefully avoiding Hurley pooh, carrying the most beautiful torte you have ever laid eyes upon, seemed just a bit surreal and quite disarming. I was painfully aware of the loud, chaotic scene around us. In addition to their poise and enviably tidy appearance, the Mayers were extraordinarily good sports and fit right in to our crazy night. It was almost as if they didn't notice or didn't care -- kinda like they loved us despite our less-than-perfect kids, their much-less-than-perfect mother, and our tornado hit house :) We were so touched that they would drive all the way to our home to drop in and bring us a gorgeous dessert. It was a most memorable night!

I am always amazed at how decisions we make often have far reaching implications -- ones that we don't anticipate at all when the original decision is made. When Marc and I were looking at schools for our kids years ago, we didn't know how much that choice would impact our lives in our current situation. We were looking for a sound Christian school with a strong academic program. What we got was a whole lot more. We comment all the time about how grateful we are for our school, the staff, the parents, and (of course) the kids! During this season of our lives, we have been so blessed by our school family. We have been amazed by how much the relationships we have at this school have encouraged us and helped us along the way. One more blessing we can count in a long list of God's gracious gifts. Thank you to all of our friends at our school for all you have done to serve us and encourage us --from loving our kids to the perfect torte!


With love and blessings....

How Rabbits Multiply or Unexpected Life Events

Saturday we woke up and hit our chore list right away. I stayed inside to clean and Marc went out to clear some limbs from our fir trees. A little while later, Julia came to the sliding glass door and was very excited to show me her new bunny. Evidently, while Marc was clearing brush, he stumbled on a baby cottontail. My brow immediately furrowed -- wild animals are...well...wild and shouldn't be kept as pets. I tried to communicate this to my daughter, but she appealed with, "Daddy said I could keep it." Did he now? I grabbed the little fluff (already named Star...ugh) and marched out to the woods. Marc was looking pretty sheepish at this point. His defense: "You tell her she can't keep it." I looked at her and she turned on the blue eyed charm. Sigh. Bunny...er... I mean Star had a new home.

After I conceded, I casually asked where we should keep the rodent...uh...I mean Star. Marc thought a laundry basket would do quite nicely. I gave him the look of death. ( You see, when Marc and I were first married we "rescued" four cottontails and kept them in a laundry basket in our apartment. The chew marks are still evident on the laundry basket and I vividly recall them getting out and dashing for small, dark hiding places). He was unphased by the look of death. This was serious.

"Okay, but we are getting a real hutch for this thing. No laundry baskets!" I marched back to the house and called Mel. She knows everyone in East County. She would know someone with a cheap hutch. Bingo! She knew just the person. A gal in Gresham had a lovely two story hutch she was looking to unload for FREE. The catch was it came with two bunnies. Perfect.

So, after church Saturday we picked up the five foot, 250 pound, made from scratch, rabbit hutch. Oh yeah...and the two rabbits, food, feeders, etc. Marc was now giving me the look of death. I was unphased.

After loading the quite enormous rabbit hutch we headed home for dinner. We finished our meal and Julia was desperate to look at her new pet. I took the bungee cords and cardboard off the basket only to find it empty. Nothing. No bunny. Frantically we started looking around the kitchen for the little vermin. We found it cowering behind the stove (the perfect small, dark hiding place). Oh yeah, this thing is going to love being a pet! After ten minutes of maneuvering we finally had the bunny in hand again, much to my daughter's delight

We spent the next morning unloading the hutch and setting up little living areas for all of our new pets. It was quite chaotic. As I watched the dog yipping and salivating, the kids scrambling to be helpful, and Marc making small repairs to the hutch, I wondered how we had gotten to this crazy life scene. When had we planned to own rabbits? That wasn't on the radar twenty-four hours earlier. But, then this year we have learned that much of life is unexpected. There is much we have experienced this year that wasn't planned. Some things just happen.

All I have to say is that some things around here happen faster than usual. I mean, really....I know bunnies multiply quickly, but we went from none, to one, to three, in less than eight hours! Now that is unexpected!

We thought you all would enjoy some of our daily Griffith adventures instead of the usual medical run-down. Lots of good stuff happens during the in-between times. They are treasured blessings and we are glad to share them!


Enjoy the pics!


With love and gratitude.....

Can I keep him?

Little Star


More to Love!

A Big Day

We spent a good part of the day up at OHSU today. After spending two days at the clinic, meeting doctors and having great discussions, we decided to switch Marc's care to OHSU. We feel very good about this move. We feel that the medical oncologist we met with today is very attentive and is willing to turn over every stone with us to help us beat this disease. He is starting with a fresh slate -- looking at the pathology, the biopsy slides, doing additional testing, a new CT scan, new baseline tumor markers, etc. This doctor is not making any assumptions and is "leaving all the cards on the table" right now. He doesn't want to rule anything out.

We felt especially good about the impression we had that everyone there treated Marc like a unique person with a unique cancer. We also found it encouraging that they worked hard to accommodate our life and family (i.e., working appointments around school and work). They were willing to teach us about everything from nutrition to instructing us on how to unhook his pump at the end of treatment (instead of driving two hours round trip to have a nurse do it). These are the little things that make life between treatments so much more pleasant.

We left the clinic today feeling much more educated and comfortable about his future care. After a week of stress and emotion, it was a great way to go into the weekend. We have a plan and, more importantly, we understand the plan. That's huge!

So, the bummer is that Marc will be starting on chemo again on September 2nd. We kind of knew that was coming, but it seems so soon; however, this will be a different regimen...hopefully with less side effects. We are hopeful that this treatment will not just keep the cancer from progressing, but actually shrink it. We shall see...

Again and again, we must thank you for your continued prayer and support. Today was like a breath of fresh air and we are so grateful for a new direction and opportunity.

With much love and gratitude...

One Down, One to Go

We met with the surgical oncologist at OHSU this morning. We really liked him and felt like he was very thorough and knowledgeable. He helped us understand much of what we were not comprehending about the tumor. He feels that Marc's cancer is likely something that should not be operated on. His opinion is that we should exhaust chemotherapy regimens before doing a difficult surgery. The risk of complications, the lack of evidence that the surgery would be helpful, and the long recovery period required after abdominal surgery, are all reasons for staying on our current course. The doctor was impressed with Marc's overall health. He was impressed that he has maintained his weight and activity. He told us that is the best measurement of how the treatment is working.

So, with that, we will be seeing a medical oncologist in the same office on Friday. We are interested to hear what he has to say.

While the answers we received today were not what we were hoping for, we feel that we have met a group of doctors that is very interested in his case. Issues that we thought were discouraging may not be as black and white as we originally thought. We continue to pray we will find a way to knock this stuff down. We remain determined to beat this thing!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please pray that we have a constructive appointment on Friday with the medical oncologist. We are hoping that he has a clear understanding of what Marc has and a solid treatment plan.

With love and gratitude...

Marc Goes Up The Hill To Fetch A Second Opinion...

Marc was accepted by two doctors up at OHSU yesterday. His first appointment will be on August 12th and the following on August 14th. Until then we just get to enjoy not being in a doctor's office or a treatment center! What a change from the last six months! We are planning on enjoying this time together and appreciating the break.

We would be grateful if you would continue to pray for Marc. We are hoping that the tumor stays quiet in the next couple of weeks and doesn't give him any pain or complications. Also, that the remaining side effects from the last chemo regimen would go away. We are hoping that this time off will give him the chance to heal from chemotherapy and gain strength for whatever treatments or surgeries are on the horizon.

We remain so grateful for all of you. Thank you for shouldering our troubles with us. We feel so blessed to have such an amazing support network.

With love and gratitude...

A huddle and a break...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

We met with Marc's doctor this morning and went over his labs and CT scan results. We were fortunate to have our dear friend, Elo, with us to help with technical questions (see: http://griffithzoo.blogspot.com/2009/03/gift-of-knowledge.html). The four of us huddled for an hour, discussing the following results:

• His tumor marker is increasing, showing that the cancer is active.
• His CT scan did show a small progression. It is a bit larger and thicker than his CT scan in June.
• While the tumor is growing, it is not fast growing at this point. This will allow for Marc to rest before he resumes treatment.
• The chemotherapy treatment that he was taking previously is no longer effective.

So, what to do? For the next three to five weeks, Marc will get a break from treatment to allow his body to recover from the last nine rounds. From there, we are not sure. We are considering several options and will be getting more opinions. There is a second line of chemotherapy that is an option, there is a clinical trial that is a possibility, we will meet with a surgeon, and possibly make a trip to Seattle to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Each option has potential, but also risks. We will need a lot of wisdom in the next few weeks to determine what is the best course of treatment. Ultimately, this is Marc's decision.

As always, we would appreciate your prayers. We are both committed to figuring this thing out and leaving no stone unturned; however, with that comes a lot of appointments, reading, thinking, and discussing. I anticipate this could be mentally and physically gruelling for our family. Also, it will mean more logistics with the kids and farm. We would ask that you help us pray for direction, the stamina needed to get through this next stage, and a support system that won't be overly burdened.

Lastly, I want to thank Elo again for spending her morning with us. What a blessing to have a friend that is a doctor come to our appointment with us! She had great questions, gave us confidence, and encouraged us on a very difficult day. And, a big thanks to Melanie for watching Elo's kids, so that she could get away with us. It is truly taking a huge community of family and friends to get us through this. We remain humbled and amazed by God's great provision in our lives during this time.

With love and gratitude...

Frustrating Update

No treatment today. Marc's tumor marker went from 85 to 196. We don't know what his blood draw will show from today, but we are assuming that they will reflect another increase. Based on that information they have deemed his current chemotherapy regimen ineffective. Tomorrow he will go in for another CT scan. They will determine if the tumor has grown or if the cancer has spread. We are scheduled to meet with the doctor on Monday to discuss what he thinks should happen next. We will also be seeking a second opinion and try to make a wise decision going forward.

We were told today that this does happen. The tumor, like everything else in the body, can grow resistant to certain medications and treatments. Basically his cancer has figured out how to beat this system. We are on to the next, but we were warned that after first line treatment, the success of the treatments becomes less likely. We need a miracle.

We are both taking this news hard. Marc is struggling with being back at the beginning and having made no progress. Nine miserable treatments without remission. I have no better word than brutal. For me....well...I am devastated. Holding it together today around the kids was an emotional juggling act. We are both having to dig really deep right now.

We would appreciate your prayers in the next few days while we try to figure this out. We would love it if the lab results were a fluke and today's blood draw shows a miraculous decrease. Anyhow, prayers and support right now would be most appreciated. I know many of you have a lot of questions and are wanting more detail; however, we aren't prepared right now to talk on the phone or in person. It's just too hard. I will try to update here as I learn more and will do my best to answer everyone's questions and hear suggestions. If you have either, please email us or post here.

With much love and gratitude...

Chemo Day

We are heading off to chemo treatment #10. We will finally get those elusive tumor marker numbers. Please pray that the results are encouraging (if not amazing) and that Marc tolerates his treatment well this week. We keep praying that, and yet every cycle they seem more difficult in different ways. Anyhow, here we go.....We would be grateful to have your prayers with us today!

With love and gratitude....

Another Year as Mrs. Griffith

I rarely take off my wedding ring. Many of you would probably clutch your pearls if you could see how over the years my ring has taken abuse. From bread making, painting, and cleaning stalls, to weeding the garden and bathing my children...it stays on. I marveled when in February, Marc was in the hospital for his biopsy, I removed my wedding ring to slip his on beneath it (he couldn't wear his for his procedure and I didn't feel right about just putting it in my purse or pocket). I couldn't believe how much that ring has become a part of me. The ring, after all these years, has left a permanent, indelible mark on my finger. The skin beneath the ring is smooth, thin, and pale. In contrast, the rest of my finger --like my hands in general -- are calloused and thick from years of being unkind to them. It has made an unbelievable indentation in my finger.

I have worn this simple ring for twelve years now. For our culture, twelve years seems like a miracle, but for me it seems to have flown by. I remember how shiny and glittering the little band was on our wedding day. It seemed heavy, though, and the weight of the gold did not feel natural. A lot like our first year or so of marriage -- getting used to sharing space, personal items, a new name, and each other's habits. Eventually, though, wearing the ring and sharing my life became natural. Yes, this ring has seen much in twelve short years. I've worn it through pregnancies, house construction, a house fire, adventures with livestock, holidays and work days. Now it accompanies me in days of illness and uncertainty. It's not shiny and new any longer, the band is nicked and scratched, and the stones aren't clean from working outside, so they certainly don't glitter. But, I like it better this way. I can look at it and know all it has been through and all our marriage has survived. We have been through a lot together.

Today I want to thank my sweet husband for another year of marriage. My friend asked me the other day if knowing what grief I know now would I have still chosen to marry Marc. I wouldn't have changed a thing. I would not have traded all the time I have been able to enjoy with him. He is an upstanding man, a brilliant thinker, a loving daddy, a hard worker, and most of all a loving husband. I couldn't have made a better choice. He is my best friend and I am grateful and humbled that I have been able to mature alongside this wonderful man. He has put up with a lot being married to me. Thankfully, he is a good leader and is very patient.

I am hopeful that we will have many more anniversaries and more adventures together. If my prayers are answered, I anticipate my ring will get more battered and worn. I also anticipate that my finger will always carry the remarkable indentation from my band. But, that's just fine with me. They will just be permanent reminders of more wonderful adventures and treasured years together. I can't think of anything more that I could hope for!

Update...Or Not So Much

Have you been praying? Sigh. I have. I have been anxious since last night about what we would learn today from Marc's labs. Well, we will all have to wait a bit longer. The labs weren't back yet this afternoon. Someone is supposed to call when they come in, but we aren't sure if that will be today, tomorrow...next week? So, we get to stay on our knees a bit longer. Will you continue to join us? If you have some extra moments, please pray for Marc and the side effects. Right on schedule the fatigue and nausea have settled in. The next 24 hours can be brutal and I am just praying that it won't be as bad as last time.

Thank you all for the love you show us on a daily basis. We are grateful beyond words for all of you.

With love and gratitude...

Nine

Today Marc sat in the chair for the ninth time and took his chemo treatment. The treatments get ever harder for him and it was a struggle this week to submit, once again, to this process. He remains my hero -- plugging along without voluntary complaint. He is amazing.

As they do every week, they took a blood draw and will have his tumor marker results on Thursday. My prayer this week is that the new medication will drive the marker down. The past three results have been about the same, hovering at 85.

I am going to ask a favor of all of you that frequent this place. Would you pray for Marc and this test? Would you pray that the tumor starts responding again to the chemotherapy and that we can, once again, see a result on Thursday that would be an encouragement to us all? And, if you could pray that this treatment cycle would not be as physically brutal as the last round, we would be grateful. He has three more treatments to endure before his body gets a break. He needs our encouragement and support more than ever. But, most of all, he needs some extra prayers this week.

I will meet you all back here in this place on Thursday with the results and an update.

With love and gratitude.

A Fine Day

I sat and watched Julia ride this evening. I was getting a good laugh out of watching her try to navigate Marc's old mare through the obstacle course of trees and brush in our pasture. When Truffles wasn't trying to rub her off, she was on the verge of dislocating Julia's shoulder as she jerked her head (and subsequently the reins) to the ground as she snagged green grass. No real complaints from her rider, though -- it was mostly smiles mixed only with the occasional growl of frustration when her mount wouldn't cooperate. I was pleased with Julia's determination. I always marvel when fifty pounds of little girl that can't even reach the stirrups, manages to convince a half ton animal to submit.

Today marked another day in a week of calm, fun, and relaxing days. Just like Julia is finding ways to make her monster horse cooperate, we are finding ways to find joy in the midst of illness and uncertainty. Sitting there in the grass, watching my girl share something I love, was delightful. While she plugged along I reflected on a wonderful day and gave thanks with all that was in me.

The day was nothing dramatic, just pleasant: Enjoying coffee with Marc this morning without the interruption of the kids, picking berries and vegetables in the morning with the kids, sipping iced tea on the front porch with a dear friend, an afternoon nap, a simple dinner, and horseback rides for the kids this evening. Tidbits of normal summer life that seem so much sweeter in this season of life.

I am grateful for this calm in our proverbial storm. We appreciate so much all the prayers, support, and concern, that you have all given us. It's comforting to know that I can put out prayer requests and worries in this place and know that so many of you are reading them and standing firm with us. Today, though, I'm happy to report that we are doing fine. We hope you will join us in giving thanks for this fine day.

With love and gratitude....