Message

Today felt more like a nice fall day than the beginnings of summer. The kids are on the count down to the last 5 days of school. I am getting ready for all the changes that will take place in the next couple of weeks. Tom has been working on the house, painting our living room & kitchen, and that is just the start.

Tonight after Cody's ballgame we came home to a message from Tom's primary doctor. He stated that he received the results from Tom's last blood work. The new calcitonin level is now 395. This is up from the last draw of 285 done in March (the jumps have been pretty big when his numbers have gone up lately). It was suggested that Tom talk with his Oncologist for the next blood work and/or scan. I believe that the scans will not be moved up but indicates that the cancer is still somewhere.

Psalms 28:2 Lord, I lift my hands to heaven and implore your help. Oh, listen to my cry

Reflection

This past week has been a little emotional. I have started to say goodbye to the people I work with. I am in the process of emptying my office, it's amazing how much one accumulates in 7 years. During all this Tom and I were able to get away on our anniversary for a night away (thanks again Grandma & Grandpa). It was beautiful in South Haven and the weather was itself a gift! I can't believe that 20 years ago we started this journey together. Never did I consider all the ups and downs that life would throw our way. We have been so blessed with our healthy & active children (though they do have too much of "your or my" attitude, opinion, or verbiage at times my dear husband). When I look back to our wedding I remember the thoughts I had and the plans that were yet to be made. So many times we had blessings we took for granted or claimed that we deserved because we worked hard for them. This week I could only praise God that Tom is still here with me. I thank the skill of his surgeon and the determination to "cut out" all the cancer during the long day of surgery. I hold our 20th getaway so dearly in my heart. I pray that we can enjoy many more years together.

Life is hard, marriage can be a challenge, and we can let our own thoughts get in the way of what God has planned for us. Please excuse this "mushy" post as I am not always so sentimental. However, if there is anything I have learned in life is not to look at the "what if" and start thanking God for the "what is".

Galatians 5:14 For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: "Love others as you love yourself"

What's new?

I finally got my grade and was glad to see the my GPA is a 3.5 so much for starting again with a 4 point! Oh well, it's hard to get back into those school study habits after 14 years of not exercising them. I am glad to be done for the summer as we spend 4 nights out at the ball fields.

Kyle was able to go on a class trip to Toronto Canada and has been gone since Monday evening. He will be back tomorrow morning and Tom and I can't wait to see him and hear how it went. The teachers had the days packed with places to visit. The travel to and from is done during the night. I am sure he will be exhausted! Thank you to the Grandparents for helping him be able to go.

Our family will be making some adjustments as I accepted a full time job doing Accounts Receivable for a company here in GR. There will be new challenges and benefits for all of us at the Andrews' household. I am so thankful that I have had almost 8 great years at Behler-Young and will miss the "team". I have made a lot a wonderful friendships with people across our state and will miss sharing life with them (oh yeah, and working too!) It has been an experience that I will take with me and fondly remember.

I have made traded calls with both the surgeon and oncologist offices in the past week. They both seem to be a little lost in the paper trail. It is hard going back and forth to the different doctors and confirming they got the results so they can make a plan of direction. However, I believe that we are once again concentrating on the blood levels and will be repeating these scans in a few months. Tom should be receiving the blood work order in a couple of days to get poked. I am sure he can't wait!

Well, that is more than enough information this time around. Enjoy the spring weather!

Looking forward to Summer

My class is done :) Yeah!!! Now onto other focuses this summer. The 2 younger kids are busy with ball and we will soon be at games 4 nights a week. The homework is not getting lighter yet. The kids continue to have really had good attitudes. However, we are up a little later each night trying to get it all done.

Tom has had a few busy weeks of work and will hopefully be able to slow down a little bit and get into the summer fun. I don't know how he does it!

I plan to start making some phone calls once again. We feel a little lost between the oncologist & U of M direction. I hope that everybody is on the same page and that there is a plan of action and that someone will share it with us. It is about time for Tom to have his blood drawn again and that is the immediate next step.

I know that this year our focus should not be on the "cancer" and that we should enjoy the summer and the family/friend time. I pray for peace and patience during these wait and see times. I found this verse and would like to share it:

Psalms 27:14
Don't be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave and stouthearted and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you.