It's been a month a a half since my last post. A lot has been going on in our family during this past month. Many of you have been praying for our family and are aware of what is going on through Facebook. But I definatly wanted to blog about this season in our life so I can have it in the blog book I publish each year.
On April 1st, our "normal" life changed. After having terrible back pain, going to doctors, and having tests done, the news was finally delivered to Darron's dad.....cancer. While is appeared to be kidney cancer, we soon found out it was actually pancreatic cancer that had already spread to his kidney and liver. While Darron had been told cancer, none of us knew the type or seriousness of the cancer for a few hours. I received a phone call early afternoon from his sister and brother-in-law to let me know the seriousness of the situation. Terminal cancer. The most painful, fastest spreading cancer. Darron was in an appointment with clients and didn't know yet. So I called some close friends who dropped everything to come and be with my children. Darron's sister, T, picked me up and we headed to his office. When his clients left, we walked in. He could tell from our faces something was wrong. Telling my husband that his dad is dying from terminal cancer has by far been the hardest thing I have ever had to do in our nine years of marriage. I'm in tears now just thinking of that moment.
Keith and Ann boarded a plane to Hawaii that night because they needed time away, together and alone, to process things. They were gone just under a week. During that time, Darron and his sisters and brother-in-laws begin working on remodeling his dad's bathroom to make it functional and comfortable for him. They surprised him with this when he returned from Hawaii.
Much has happened since April 1st. There have been many doctors appointments, chemo once a week, many family dinners and time spent together, enough tears to last a life time, more prayers being lifted than can possibly be counted, and more worry and stress than we bargained for.
At this time, we don't know if the chemo is working or not. The tumor in Keith's pancreas is inoperable and he is in Stage 4. The chemo is hopefully shrinking the tumor to allow for less pain and more time. We've heard anywhere from six week to a year left with Keith. Only the Lord knows.
It's amazing how much life can change in one day. We are learning to live a new "normal" of being together with Darron's parents, the kids and I being alone much more, being more spontaneous and less planned, cutting back on outside obligations and responsibilities, and learning to support each other through it all.
During this season, we are also experiencing lots of change.
-Darron is now on his own at the office....Keith was planning to retire in July but has not worked since April 1st
-Darron is moving to a new office at the end of the month
-Our neice is getting married in a week and the family has been busy, busy
-I am leaving a school I dearly love and have been teaching at for 8 years
-We are having a baby in June
-Lots of different family is beginning to come in town to visit Keith and the family
We solicite your prayers and say thank-you to all of those who have already been praying. While we feel as though we are walking through the "valley of life" right now, we do fear no evil and feel strengthened and uplifted in the Lord daily. I will keep you updated, and I will post pictures of the family soon.
