There's more work to be done....

Family & Friends. Last Thursday we were caught off-guard by the news of some abnormal blood results we received. Angie was scheduled for her six month follow up with Dr. Janicek's nurse (Kelly), but instead we were re-directed to a lab for a PET scan. The procedure went off without a hitch, the difficult part was having to wait a week to meet with the doctor to view the results. In typical Angie style, she put her game face on and just "lived life" during this period of uncertainty. We even attended the holiday party for my work last Saturday, which I was concerned that she may be challenged to "hold it together" as so many people approached her commenting on how good she looked. Without skipping a beat - she was herself and we enjoyed the party. Leading up to today has been a little awkward, this morning it was very difficult for us to focus on anything. Her appointment was scheduled for 1:30, in typical Dr, Janicek fashion he was about an hour and 15 minutes behind - so we didn't get to see him until almost 3. He brought us over to his computer to show us the PET SCAN, a very detailed view inside Angie's body. The test itself involves a "nuclear sugar" that allows the doctor to see cancerous cells as they react to the sugar. There is a lower section of her bowel that stood out as an area of concern. While this was not the news we wanted to hear, the doctor IS encouraged that it's localized to one area - there's no indication of any other areas that are of concern. We asked about the possibility of treating it with chemo, but Dr. Janicek was convinced that the best way to insure ultimate success is to go back in and cut out that section of the bowel. We agreed and Angie is currently scheduled for surgery on December 29 at 2:30 pm local time. I can't say enough about the strength and courage I witnessed first-hand. While there were tears, she was almost more concerned that Dr. Janicek was feeling bad that the first attempt did not do the job. He joked about how he felt like "The Grinch". What Angie and I discussed on our way home was how amazing he really is. There's a quiet confidence about him that even as he was delivering this news that you know he did not want to deliver, we were both in a place where we felt complete trust in his care. She will follow up the surgery with another round of chemo, Dr. Janicek commented that this treatment routine would be different from the last and will be easier on her system...he even mentioned NO HAIR LOSS! At times like these we are reminded just how NOT IN CONTROL we really are and that there's a plan for us all and it's how we choose to deal with these rough times that really defines us. We are truly grateful that we have a Lord and Savior whose birth we get to celebrate this time of year. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and ask for your continued prayers. We're looking forward to 2009!