One Year!

It was almost one year ago, Friday, February 2 (I had the dates mixed up a bit when I first published this, 3 hours ago) at around 10:00 PM, that Linda and I arrived at the Rex Hospital Emergency Room. Within 3 - 4 hours we were told that Linda had a brain tumor. Even at that time, we had a sense from the doctor that it was bad. On Saturday morning, more tests were done and we continued to get a sense that Linda's condition was serious. The biopsy on Monday afternoon confirmed the doctors' suspicions that Linda had a high grade glioma. We were told that Linda had 3 to 5 months to live - at best.

So, last night when our family gathered (Ben, Liz and the kids, Brian and Autumn, and Michael - Laura was unable to come) to commemorate one year since the presentation of the symptoms, it was a celebration of sorts. We finished our meal with communion, remembering why we have hope in the midst of our pain. Thank You, Jesus, for taking the punishment we deserved so that we might have eternal life when we believe!

Even as we thanked the Lord for giving us this year together, we were aware that Linda is not doing well at present. She has had a headache for a few days (though it just left a few hours ago), she feels "heat" inside her body, particulary around her neck, she has pain that goes from her left ear to her throat, and her confusion is no better, though not considerably worse. These are all symptoms that were present in December just before we went to the hosptial and Linda was diagnosed with Listeria. Let me hasten to say that she has had some of the aforementioned symptoms ever since she has returned home, but last night they were a little more pronounced, thus, we are a bit concerned. Linda cannot remember the time leading up to her trip to the emergency room in December, but she knows that her present symptoms were present, though more pronounced, when we went to the hospital. That concerns her. Please pray for my bride!

We continue to trust in the Lord. Thank you for standing with us in more ways than we can count. As you are praying for Linda, today, would you please also remember Cali Moody? Cali is the 2 year old girl in our church who also is being treated with chemo for a brain tumor. She is entering a very serious portion of her treatment, beginning today. Please pray that the line through which the chemo will be administered will stay clear. If you would like a little more information, please visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cali Thank you so very much!