A few background details

Thanks to everyone for your prayers. We are so thankful for a faithful body of believers and the many prayer warriors that we know. Last night I (Angie) slept through the night right up until 9 AM. I have had problems sleeping for a few years now, so that was a huge blessing. We are sure it was because of everyone's prayers.

A little background on how we came to this diagnosis...around March of this year a sore formed on the underside of my tongue. It was pretty painful, but I thought it was just a cold sore or something and would go away in time. When I was in Iowa in May, it flared up pretty badly. I showed it to my friend, Linda, and she looked me in the eye and said, "you need to go to the doctor". In June I met with my primary doctor and showed her the sore. I said, "It's been there for a few months and is crazy painful"...she said, "Months?!? You need to see a specialist." She referred me to an Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist named Dr. Philip Khalil at Ohio Valley Head and Neck Surgery.

Dr. Khalil examined the spot in late June and said he wasn't sure what it was. Most of you know that I am not a smoker or drinker and I don't chew tobacco (ha! it's funny just to say that), so the doctor felt that the likelihood of it being a cancerous spot was pretty low. He prescribed a mouthwash for me that had several different treatments in it...he said if they spot didn't go away completely, he needed to biopsy it. Since my risk was so low for cancer, he was willing to try the prescription first.

I went back for my follow up appointment with little improvement in the sore. Dr. Khalil determined that he needed to remove the spot and biopsy it at the same time. I had this procedure done last Tuesday, September 1. A large chunk is now missing from my tongue. I'd post a picture, but it is just too gross.

Yesterday was my post-op appointment. I am so glad that Jason was with me. Dr. Khalil cut right to the chase. He said, "The pathology report came back, and the tumor that we removed was cancerous. I am not going to sugar coat this for you. This is a dangerous and aggressive cancer called Squamous Cell Carcinoma. The good news is that I believe we have caught it early"...talk about having the wind knocked out of you.

I didn't hear much past this, even though the doctor had a lot more to say. My mind went to how much this is going to cost, what are we going to do with Brady, I hope Jason doesn't have to go back to work today, Brady needs an animal cracker, we have so many people to call, I am scared, I want to see my son grow up, I guess we aren't having more babies anytime soon, what's for dinner tonight, and so on and so on! Jason has repeated a few things that the doctor said to us that I didn't even hear.

We left the doctor's office with consent forms signed for our next surgery, a few dates of scheduled tests, and more information that I haven't even looked at. We knew we had to be with people so Jason called some of our trusted friends at the Mission. We went there and talked with them, cried, prayed together, and left feeling encouraged.

And, we have made a bazillion phone calls since then to ask Emmaus Bible College, Haven of Rest, our church family at ACC in Dubuque, and all the believers we know around the world to pray for us!

Jason has been really strong even though I know he is scared. Brady has been a joyful distraction as he is such a bundle of energy right now. We are so thankful for him, as he is sure to provide mommy with much entertainment in the coming months.

Today, we spent the morning on the phone, again, and then went to Sam's Club and stocked up on a few things. I am feeling the need to "nest", sort of like before Brady was born. I will feel better when my cupboards are stocked, the laundry is finished, the house is clean, and my Emmaus work is caught up. I am sure in the coming months I will find comfort in my daily tasks.

Many of you have asked what you can do, and right now the only answer is that you can pray. We will do our best to let people know of our practical needs throughout this ordeal. I will try to keep this blog as updated as possible so that people are informed. Please feel free to let people know that they can check here for updates. Comments are very encouraging, but not necessary.

We feel so loved and are so thankful for our family and friends.

This is the song that is stuck in my head right now, from my days of teaching Sunday School..."My God is so BIG, so STRONG and so MIGHTY, there's nothing my God cannot do, for YOU!" And also, Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."

Love to all,
Angie