A New Journey

The last few years in our lives have taken many unexpected turns. Then again, in reality, whose life hasn't? Last time I updated we were in Duluth. In January 2020 we made the move back down to San Diego. Long story short, doors were opened and although it wasn't an easy decision, we felt led to go through those doors and take the opportunity Jeff had to come work back at Scripps, this time as an employee rather then a fellow. The last couple of years we have spent time as a family sorting through emotions and the unexpected turns life has taken us. Although we disliked the reason why, we were very grateful for the opportunity during the shut down to put on the brakes and focus on going through all of the emotions that us and our kids had dug in the ground the previous few years just because we had to as life moved forward at a fast pace.  The kids did virtual school last year and between that and Jeff's work slowing down, it gave us an opportunity to really build back the strength, love, and joy in our family. The break was a large breath of fresh air which filled our lungs and rejuvenated our energy.  We were ready and praying for guidance in direction of our lives where we are now. Missions work has always been on both of our hearts and we felt now would be a good time to pursue that passion.  Monday night we sat on the couch as Jeff was filling out paperwork to prepare for his first missions trip to Africa for two weeks next fall with one of the other physicians from our church. The plan was for him to go this time by himself then the kids and I would join the next trip. We discussed that I couldn't quite get excited like I was about this like normal. It felt like I was almost just floating in foggy air, a very strange feeling I've never had but I told Jeff I was trying to just let it be until the fog cleared up for direction. Tuesday came and Jeff had a CT scheduled of his lower abdomen as part of a work up due to a short 12 hour stint of bleeding one day. Just enough to make him reach out to the tumor urologist colleague who operates on Mondays with him to see if it was anything to be concerned about, especially since it was just a short and random thing and he has had no other symptoms. The urologist said he bought himself a full work up but it could be something like a transient stone. All the labs came back normal and we were looking at plane tickets to fly back to South Dakota for a week after Christmas. Jeff asked to wait until after the CT just in case he needed a small procedure if it was something like a stone. When the urologist called with the CT results we both were in shock. We met with him at 7:30 the next morning for a scope and to go over the images. What was found was an 8 cm cystic tumor that had consumed his right kidney. Not only is this very rare for a person Jeff's age to have a kidney cancer because he is so young, it being a cystic tumor was also rare to have as an adult- in fact another doctor that was consulted said if I didn't know he was an adult I would think I was looking at a pediatric patient's CT scan. When we asked if there was any chance this could be benign (not cancer) we were told extremely unlikely.  Surgery is scheduled for January 3rd to remove the kidney and tumor. The hope is that the cancer is still contained within the kidney. If not, the prognosis goes down significantly. The surgery will be robotic for the ability to have precision and accuracy by the urologist. There will be another surgeon on back up ready to come in if it has invaded surrounding organs. If that is the case he will help remove any organs or other parts of organs it has invaded. With kidney cancer the best treatment is to cut wherever it is out. We really won't know what we are fully up against until they do the surgery. Following that a treatment plan will be put in place with an oncologist. 

We have been overwhelmed in the best way with the support we have received - we can't thank you enough for that love and support. If I'm honest, one of my fears moving this small town girl to a city was what if something like this happened, how would we feel supported as a little fish in a big body of water. Of course Jeff was quick to remind me we had experienced that sense of community already once with Ezra so not to fear. I have been humbly put in my place once again as tears well in my eyes just writing this as we have experienced so many people rally around us both locally and afar just in the last couple of days. I am quickly realizing that community isn't just about the size of place we live, it's about the people. And we've been placed with some of the best surrounding us near and far away.

As we wait for the 3rd Jeff will be getting a chest x-ray to make sure it has not spread to the lungs and a pre-op workup on Tuesday. Then a COVID test a couple days before surgery. Beyond that the plan is to make the most of our time with our kids as we celebrate Christmas and make happy memories.

Some people have mentioned they like to know what to specifically pray for so here is a few of those things:

1.   For a miracle that this tumor is benign. 

2.  That it will be contained to the kidney- this is huge in prognosis. 

3. That the chest X-ray will be clear.

4.  For guidance and wisdom for the surgeons before and during the surgery- many of the decisions will be made at the time of surgery when they are in there, including some that could put Jeff at high risk. 

5. For our kids- both of the older two are scared for their daddy, rightly so. Ezekiel is still too young to really know what's going on but will feel it in other ways. 

6. For Jeff & I- that we can be mentally present and have peace during this waiting time to make the most of it with the kids and each other. Also that we can support each other in ways we don't even know how in this unknown territory. 

7. For health in Jeff & our family leading up to the surgery- the boys and I are all fighting a nasty prolonged cold that Jeff caught this week now too.  Praying he can recover from that quicker then the rest of us have and that he will not get COVID over the next couple of weeks which would delay the surgery. 

8. For the bladder cells they biopsied during the scope to be negative for cancer. 

9. For us to work through the logistics of "worst case scenario" quickly and efficiently so we can focus on being positive. 

10. For Mikayla & Jeff to have a precious weekend away at a hockey tournament together this weekend (Jeff is one of her assistant coaches). 

11. For sleep- middle of the nights have been the worse for processing. 

Here are our praises:

1. That God had placed us back in San Diego in the right timing- for Jeff to know the urologist well enough to reach out to him immediately, for Rachel and David once again coming to our rescue and making themselves fully available when we made the urgent call of last minute help needed with our kids. 

2. The older kid's have two teachers with the biggest hearts ever and are walking right beside our kids with this at school. 

3. For Jeff proving to have extremely supportive colleagues once again. 

4. For our ever so loving and supportive church family. 

5. For the two sets of most supportive and best parents we could ask for. 

6. For our siblings and their spouses support and love. 

6. For all our family and friends both near and far who immediately have made themselves available to help in any way and have been more then willing to be part of our army of prayer warriors without hesitation....once again. 

7. For time off that Jeff had already scheduled for vacation the week leading up to the surgery that we can spend together. 

8. For the one day of blood in the urine to indicate Jeff to get checked but no other pain or symptoms.