3/24/20 - Life at Home

Hi All -  It’s hard to believe that we have been home for 2 weeks now!  We continue to stand in absolute awe of the Lord and his providence over Jason and our family!

Some highlights from the past 2 weeks that are SUCH BIG PRAISES!!!
- We were able to come home from NYC on Jason's birthday, Tuesday, March 10th.  WHAT A BIRTHDAY GIFT!!!  And to get home before all of NYC went on lockdown, WOW!  God's perfect timing for sure!
- We made it for Taylor's BIG presentation at school that she has been working so hard on for months and was devastated about us not being home in time to see it.  Well, what another unexpected blessing that we were home just in time for it!

- And while we were for sure that we would miss Ty losing his first tooth, man that thing was loose for well over a month and he waited to pull it until we made it home.  And then the one right next to it fell out the day after LOL.

- By that Friday am, my mom headed back home to Ohio after knowing we would be able to manage through the recovery from that point forward!  Again, UNBELIEVABLE!  We had planned for at least a month of her needing to be here to help, if not longer.  And here was it just a little over 2 weeks that she ended up staying.  THANK YOU MOM!!!  The kids didn't miss a beat with her around and us gone.  So thankful they had that comfort with her from living with her last year.  Man are we thankful that they could stay in their space during this time to have one thing stay consistent through this all.
- The following week, Jas was able to wean off of the narcotics which means.... drumroll everyone.... he can drive now!  THIS IS HUGE!!!!  For him, for me, for everyone involved!  THANK YOU JESUS!!
- Last week Jas was able to go to get a vitamin C infusion and drive himself to the clinic.  With all of the germs flying around and to help expedite healing, his naturopath wants him to do at least 2-4 rounds of these infusions.  While the plan was also to do the hyperbaric chamber oxygen therapy 3 days a week at the same clinic, they closed that down for now due to the Coronavirus.  But at least he can continue for now with the vitamin C infusions.
- Jas has been able to get in the number of calories he needs daily via mouth which is HUGE!  We are hopeful that his feeding tube will be able to be removed in the near future as a result.  This is the last tube remaining which would be a HUGE CELEBRATION 🎉🎉🎉.  At this point last time around he was still choking on smoothies (due to his hook up point closing as it healed) and we saw no near possibility of his feeding tube being removed for a long time. Please continue to pray he is able to maintain his weight and build about 10 good lbs back on.
- Coronavirus - Not a highlight at all, but something that is impacting us greatly as the kids are now home 100%.  This obviously was not planned or expected at all during his recovery... However, they are actually doing great under the circumstances and are learning when Jas can join in with them and when he needs to rest.  I feel like this is a gift of time that we are able to have together given our time apart last year!
- Jason's work has been FANTASTIC in supporting him through this entire process!  He has approval to stay home from work until this pandemic subsides given his weakened immune state of health. What a HUGE relief that he won't push himself too hard right now to return to work and be placed in a situation that would be risky for him health wise!  THANK YOU JESUS!
-Overall, Jas continues to experience exponential improvement daily!!!  What an AMAZING BLESSING 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼  Even this morning he commented on feeling less pain and sensitivity which is incredible the rate of healing compared to last time!

We continue to go back to Ephesians 3:20-21 and stand in ABSOLUTE AWE of our Heavenly Father and his providence over Jas and our family!  So many ways in this past month alone He has proved this to be true to us and it’s been INCREDIBLE to be on the recipient end of it!  To see how the Lord laid this verse on my heart as they wheeled Jas back into surgery and how God has KNOCKED OUR SOCKS OFF this past month in so many ways.  Wow Wow WOW!

“Now to HIM who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭ESV

So many families have faithfully loved on us with the kids, meals, supply deliveries and continued showering of financial support! Our hearts are so full from all of the love poured out to our family!  It has meant the world to us that we will be forever grateful for!  THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!

With Much Love and God Bless!

3/9/20 - We are Coming Home!

Hi All!  Jas was released to go home 🎉🎉🎉. HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. Staples from his abdomen came out, the open incision in his upper abdomen is healing well from the inside out, and the side rope stitches from the chest tubes came out!!!  Goooo GOD!

So the plan is to enjoy our last day in the city and head home first thing tomorrow (Tuesday) on Jason's actual birthday.  Can't think of a better way to celebrate this year 🎉🎉🎉.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of life!!!

3/8/20 - 11 Days Post Surgery

Hi all- I have to tell you these past 2 days have been just AMAZING!  Jas has gotten a good night sleep both nights and taken good naps.  The dark circles under his eyes are starting to go away.  His personality and orneriness are back and he is able to be up and around and moving, which brings him much joy!  This will crack you up bc it’s so him...By the time I woke up yesterday (Sat) at 7am he had already planned out mini adventures we could do throughout the city together to get out and have fun for the next 3 days 😂😂.  This man has always had a sense of adventure!

I’m in awe of the Lord to see how well Jas is doing for what he has been through especially compared to last time!  We are both so thankful that the Dr. required us to stay in the city this weekend, as it has allowed for much needed healing physically for Jas and emotionally for us together.  So many things we need to heal from as a couple f/ these last few years.  People probably think we are nuts bc most times we stop to take a breather, tears will be involved as we reflect back on everything we have been through these past 5 years and see God’s hand through it all.  For example, if he wouldn’t have done the unaccompanied tour last year, he never would have gotten the Abu Dhabi post and then needed a medical clearance.  This cancer never would have been caught in this stage if he didn’t have to go through all the medical clearance testing.  He had decided the year prior that bc he was 8 yrs out f the last cancer, that he didn’t need to do them anymore and could live w the size of his esophagus at that point of not needing stretched anymore.  During the stretchings is when they also checked for any reoccurrences.  While I struggled so much since the decision was made to be apart for a year last year, all the way up until now, I’m understanding more of God’s plan through it all now.  And I recognize that we don’t always get that understanding in life here on earth.

So, time to process and have some unexpected fun has been an Amazing blessing!  We are both so thankful that God is allowing him to heal so quickly and strengthen up before we head home.  Hopefully, if things go well at the Dr appt tmw, we will go home Tuesday on Jason’s Birthday ❤️. Come Tuesday, it will be 2 weeks when we left to come here, which is much shorter than we ever thought or even imagined!  Thank you Jesus 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

We miss the kids like crazy, but recognize how much we needed this time as a couple and are thankful for it!  Thanks for your continued prayers!  We will keep you posted on how the appt tomorrow goes w our surgeon.  Enjoy some pics f our adventures!

3/6/20 - Hospital Discharge - Day 9 Post Surgery

I can't believe I'm even writing these words right now!  It's just INCREDIBLE!  Jason's scope went so well today that they decided to discharge him!  Holy Smokes this is UNBELIEVABLE!  10 days out from surgery and we BUSTED out tonight!  I don't know how this can be anything short of a miracle!  THANK YOU JESUS 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

Now the Dr. wants us to stay in the city until next week for a follow up with him, so he can put his eyes on him one more time before the full clear to go back to MD.  So we will both stay in the hotel that has already been booked and see how this next week goes.  I'm praying he continues this outstanding healing and gets some good quality rest while it's just he and I here.  No one to wake him in the middle of the night or loud roomies!  This is a really nice window of time to figure out life with medications, food and feeding tube on our own before entering back into real life.

On an extremely funny note, the surgeon came in today and took out almost all the staples on the upper half of his ab incision to air it out for healing and to dig around to see if there was any infection. When he was repacking the wound the surgeon looked at me, as I turned my head away to try to keep f passing out, and said when we release him can you do this for him?  And my reply was, I really can't.  Of course Jas stepped in and said, “I got it Doc, I can do it myself” 😂😂😂(which he will do and do well!). The Dr.'s response was hilarious bc he looked at Jas amazed and told him he was a beast!  This man of mine.  God made him a strong, tough fighter for sure ❤️.

Throughout the course of the day, it was an absolute whirlwind as they changed their mind multiple times throughout the day of discharging him, not discharging and back to discharging him.  So it has been an absolute flurry!  But we made it to the hotel and are getting settled 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼  This is our hotel set up w all of the meds, supplies, feeding tube set up!

So, as you head to bed tonight, please joining us in celebrating what a mighty God we serve!

3/5/20 - 8 Days Post Surgery

It was another really good day!  PRAISE JESUS 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. Between three different walks today he walked a total of 2.25 miles!  Wowzer!

They took off the steri strips from his neck incision today to let it air out and I'm impressed with how well it looks!  This incision was an additional one compared to last surgery bc the new hookup was much higher this time to remove the old one.  It's pretty much to the height of the new incision now.

He was able to eat three small meals today and a snack and is on night tube feeds only now.  This is HUGE to only have to be "connected" to a pole at night!

He has not had a good night sleep in over a week, so he is tired!  With having a roommate, there are so many more ways to be woken up throughout the night on top of the typical nurse check ins . So that would be a new prayer request.

His pain is being managed well today,  which is a BIG PRAISE also!  He has been cleared to try meds in a pill form which is also HUGE and something he struggled with these past 8 years.  So we will see how that goes.

I'm laughing bc he is starting to take over in areas, which is a good sign that he is healing well!  When certain monitors start beeping, instead of pressing the call button he walks out onto the floor to find his nurse.  And he is wanting to give himself his own medications via his j-tube vs his nurse.  Good practice when he gets outta here!  One nurse even asked, “Hiw do you know how to do all this?”  I guess by his third time around it all comes back quickly!

Thanks for your continued prayers!!

3/4/20 - 1 Week Post Surgery - IT WAS A BIG DAY!!!

Hi All!  Today they moved Jas to a 16 hr tube feed this evening so that he will only have to hook up and be connected to the pole from 6pm to 10am.  This allows him to now walk around being a free man outside of those hours which is HUGE🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼.  Thank you Jesus!!!!

We were able to walk down the hall to a lounge today and sit by a sunny window with a beautiful view for about 45 min, which was so nice and a great change of scenery!

Today is the last day he will be able to be on one of his pain meds that has worked so well for him this past week.  So we are praying that as they shift to something new again, they can find a combo that is effective!

His abdomen incision is looking much better, which they are pleased about!  Another BIG PRAISE TO GOD for no infection 🙌🏼🙌🏼. They also took off his dressing from the chest tube incisions today on his right side to let that area be exposed to air and heal.  It's amazing through this all that only the abdomen area was stapled closed.  His upper right back and throat area are only steri-strips which will eventually curl up and fall off in about two weeks.  And his chest tube areas are stitched back up.  It is absolutely incredible to see and learn even more about the human body through all this and how it was designed to heal.  We continue to stand in awe of our Creator!

Another FANTASTIC update for today!!!  They took out the last drainage tube that needed to come out up by his neck incision 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. The J Tube (feeding tube) is the only one left at this point, which he will have at least for a few weeks still to supplement nutrition into his body until he can eat enough orally.

And....DRUMROLL EVERYONE..... he was able to eat his first soft food this evening for dinner and he didn't choke and didn't need to chase it with water.

WE CONTINUE TO STAND AMAZED with the healing the Lord is doing here!  Since last surgery he has had over 60 trips to the hospital for dilations alone because his "hook up spot" healed too small.  That has been his life the last 8 years!  Because they cut out the old "hookup" and created a new one higher it may have completely eliminated this daily struggle.  To think that he may not have to struggle with that battle anymore is INCREDIBLE & LIFE CHANGING!   As we had a real dinner together tonight in the hospital, we had many tears flowing recognizing what a gift God has given us in Jason's healing.  Exceedingly & abundantly more than we thought to ask or imagine 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. Thank you Jesus!!!  What an unbelievable week it’s been!

3/3/20 - Day 6 Post Surgery

Hi All!  We met w Dr. Altorki (Jas’ surgeon) this evening.  All went well w the barium swallow test today!  No leaks 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼  Thank you Jesus!!!!  Jas said it was really strange to see how different it was to see his colon in place of his esophagus on the xrays.  He could see the ridges on the colon and it just looks bigger than the last tubing.  Maybe he won't have any issues getting food through the new hookup as a result? This afternoon and evening Jas was able to drink broth and tea.  PRAISE.THE.LORD!!!  This is HUGE!  I can't even imagine how good it felt to be able to drink something after almost a week of nothing orally!  It's strange because he had to retrain his body how to swallow after the surgery.  So with the first few sips there was some coughing (because the hook up is swollen) but after that his body is figuring it out and he can swallow fairly well.  So tonight we had "dinner (broth for him) and a movie" date together in the hospital room ☺️.

More good news, the epidural came out today!  One more less tube 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼  Since the removal of the epidural in the am, they have been able to figure out a good pain med combo, including layering in a liquid narcotic to give him a little more time to heal without being in awful pain.  And the really good news is no nausea 🎉🎉🎉. Thank you Lord!!!

They are a bit concerned about the incision area in the abdomen. So they took out about 10 of 40+ staples to relieve some of the pressure and fluid and then swabbed it for infection.  The initial result came back ok, but it's also something they let sit for awhile to see if anything shows up differently later.  So they will closely monitor and have him on antibiotics to help keep any infection away while the incision heals.

Tomorrow they will progress to thicker liquids to drink and see how it goes.  It's truly trial and error at this point bc you just don't know how the body will respond. The goal of course being to be able to advance to soft solids in a few days.

On the hospital roommate front, we had a changeover today. It was neat because during the course of the day we were able to share some of our story w the prior roomie and how God has worked through  the past situations.  He was amazed to see how well Jas is doing today compared to last Thursday when Jas came to the room.  I shared I would be praying for him and his upcoming surgery which he seemed to appreciate.  You never know how God can work through a roomie situation right? In between the switchover, we had a couple of hours of peace and a gorgeous view!  Normally the curtain is drawn btwn the two beds for privacy, but we opened that puppy wide open while no one else was there.  Check out our view!

And then the next roommate moved in and our view changed back to this (below.)  Thankful for the little bit of sunshine and peace/quiet we got while it lasted!

To end the evening, I was was able to transfer from one hotel to another thanks to all the generous donations of Marriott points!  We are so incredibly grateful for so many coming together to help us out in this way!  God is moving and continues to move friends!  

That’s it for now!  Have a good night to all and thanks for your continued prayers!  

3/2/20 - Day 5 Post Surgery

Fantastic news for today!!!  The nose tube is out, catheter is out and second chest tube is now out!  Three big and annoying/painful tubes out in 1 day is a BIG DEAL!  And he is able to go walking on his own without anyone by his side which really helps him feel more independent having that option.  I'm seeing more and more smiles f my hubby ❤️

The plan for tomorrow (Tuesday) is to do the barium swallow (the leak test) where he will swallow contrast and they will follow the liquid on an X-ray from his mouth all the way through his digestive tract to ensure there are no leaks at any of the three new hook ups!  This is something that only can heal with time.  Please pray he passes this test with flying colors so he can begin to drink orally and eventually eat.  That will be HUGE!  Also tmw they will remove the epidural.  Please pray they can find a way quickly to keep his pain to a manageable level without a narcotic.  They were going to pull it tonight and we said let's try in the morning so we have all day to figure it out before bedtime comes w the day shift since we have had some horror stories in the past.  Also, Jas has had a good increase in energy just from the tube feeding alone.  PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE THE LORD!  Still in shock/awe/amazement in how God is working through this all 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. There is POWER IN PRAYER.  Thank you so much for being prayer warriors for us!

Below is a video of Jason cruising around w/ clothes and a gown on lol.  Quite the fashion statement!  Go to wilestrials.blogspot.com to view the video.

3/1/20 - Day 4 Post Surgery

It's been another good day 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. One chest tube is out and one tube feeding was completed to help start pumping in calories.  Pain has been managed well today and the wild man completed 4 walks, most of them being 3 loops each time of the entire wing.  Another big milestone is that he graduated to walking without a walker AND them letting me walk with him without a nurse.  PRAISE. THE. LORD!  Exceedingly and abundantly more than we could have imagined!  God continues to amaze us!  

Also, I was able to go to the Times Square Church today which was such a gift!  It was so nice to see my cousin Mark, who was part of their outstanding choir!  They meet in an old theatre, which is super cool setting and love the gospel feel!  Great worshipping to our GREAT & MIGHTY GOD!

This was the final day with my Thailand peeps, as they headed back to their families. Man they sure helped time fly through the toughest and what could have been the scariest part of post op.  Sooooo thankful to them and their families for supporting us in this way!

Below are some pics from today, however you will need to go to our actual blog, wilestrials.blogspot.com to see the newest video of Jas walking.

Much love and God Bless!

The Times Square Church’s 150+ choir

2/29/20 - Day 3 Post Surgery

Hi All- Jas had a rougher night Friday throughout the night bc they reduced the amount of pain meds too quick.  So he received a higher dose Sat am, which helped get him to a better place of pain management.  He also received a blood transfusion on Sat bc his hemoglobin had dropped.  Nothing to be concerned about.

Later in the day they changed up Jas' pain meds and finally found a combo that works really well and doesn't make him nauseous.  He was like a new man after that!  He was able to have a conversation for more than a minute, talk to the kids a couple times and was able to do 3 walks today (his last walk being a double loop!). He is looking and doing sooooo well!  Praise the Lord!

You will need to go to the blog: wilestrials.blogspot.com to view the video

While talk of a chest tube being removed was discussed today, it did not happen. So we are thinking possibly one will come out tmw and the other on Monday.

We continue to stand in absolute awe of the Lord who is showing us daily how HE is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think!  The POWER OF PRAYER!!!

 Please keep praying for pain management and that a chest tube can come out on Sunday!

2/28/20 - Day 2 Post Surgery

Hi All!  Things are progressing quite nicely! PRAISE THE LORD!  Today they took the suction off of the chest tubes to see if Jas' lung could stay inflated on his own, in hopes to take one out tmw and the other on Sunday.  They deflated this lung during surgery to get to where they needed to work.  Please PRAY big that this happens!  The chest tubes cause A LOT of pain, so once they are out they can hopefully stop the narcotics that continue to make Jas feel nauseous and just miserable.

Also, because the drainage has significantly reduced from the tube in Jason's nose that goes down to the stomach area, they may be able to start feeding him via the feeding tube tmw which will be the first time he will be getting nutrition since surgery.  So please pray that  goes smoothly as well!  I believe that means the tube in his nose would come out once they start feeding him.  Also, Jas was able to take a nice long walk today, probably about double the distance from yesterday.  ROCKSTAR 🎉🎉🎉.

 I was also able to get our car to Uncle Snake and Aunt D's house (thanks guys) in NJ today thanks to Amy helping me navigate there like old Thailand road trips.  Uncle Snake pampered us while we hung out for a bit and then Jana came to take us back into the city to the hospital.  After arriving back, my friend Kelley (another Thailand friend) made it to the hospital to be here for the weekend!  We continue to feel showered by love!  That's the update for now!  Please keep praying for pain and nausea management.  Much love!

The Thailand Gang (Left to Right: Kelley, me, Jana & Amy)

Uncle Snake pampering us ladies

2/27/20 - 1st Day After Surgery

Hi All- I wanted to send a quick update out on how Day 1 after surgery went today!

To start the day off, while the pain meds were keeping the pain to a manageable level, they were also causing nausea.  So most of the day he was unable to open his eyes or the room would be spinning.  By late afternoon they tried a different type of anti-nausea med which worked.  So I was able to see his eyes open a little bit!  They did get him out of his bed and into a chair for most of the day, which was really good progress!!!

By the end of the day, Jas surprised us all and did his first walk around the ICU.  Trust me, this is no easy task. It takes about 10 minutes for the nurses to even get all of his cords/tubes/wires arranged so that he can stand up!  This man of mine is a tri-cancer kind of athlete and a FIGHTER!  He even went further than they anticipated!  A whole day sooner than last time around.  🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. Thank you God for making him a determined and strong man!  You will have to visit our actual blog to view the video at wilestrials.blogspot.com

As a result of this AMAZING progress today they moved him into a step down ICU unit where the nurses have more patients to care for and he now has a roommate.  Please pray that this be an opportunity for us to share the love of Christ with whoever that may be.  His first roomie situation started off challenging and I’ll leave it at that.  However, over the course of the next few weeks who knows how many he may have.  On a positive note, they will interrupt his sleep at night much less in this area which he is desperately needing some good sleep to heal.

Lastly, one simple thing that helps us stay positive on the progress and celebrate the wins is that we keep track of the number of tubes/wires/cords attached to his body.  He started off with 21 and is down to 20 as of tonight.  We will take it!  One less cord to hassle with!!!

Lots of BIG wins to celebrate and PRAISE THE LORD for today!!!

Much love!

2/27/20 - Pain Managed

Morning all!  I was able to call first thing this am (Thursday) to see how Jason did through the night.  They were able to manage his pain so he could rest which is a HUGE answered prayer 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼. Thank you Jesus!!These next 3 days will be critical to keep his pain manageable for continued rest and healing!  As for me, what a huge difference being able to sleep in a hotel last night was vs being woke up every hour on the hour for a solid 3 weeks like last time around.  So thankful for all of the donations from so many around the globe that helped cover a month of hotel expenses 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

Also, I wanted to take a minute to highlight my friends Amy and Jana.  I met them both during our post in Thailand.  Amy now lives in Texas and Jana in NJ.  They both walked into the hospital yesterday am as they wheeled Jas back into the OR, so I had someone with me the entire time yesterday!  How quickly the time went after having 1.5+ years to catch up on in person.  When coming back to the hotel last night exhausted, I came back to a fully stocked kitchen in the hotel room w food for the next week thanks to Jana!  Wow wow wow!  What an incredible gift!  Amy will be staying with me through Sunday, Jana will be helping again Friday as we take the car to Uncle Snake and Auntie Dee's house to park for the duration and to bring us back into the city.  (Parking costs are insane here!) Then Kelley, another friend from Thailand will be coming for the weekend.

So many people pulling together to help us through.  From meals being provided back home for my mom and kids, my mom staying for the long haul to take care of the kids, playdates for the kids being arranged, so many committing to prayer all day yesterday, continued donations, texts/cards of encouragement from friends all around the world, I could go on and on.  God is providing for EVERY.SINGLE.NEED! I’m so thankful for our tribe that God has given us ❤️

2/26/20 - Surgery is Finished!

Hi All- WOW!   I'm still in shock!  The surgeon just came out at about 2:40pm to tell us that the surgery is completed and it went well.  This was a much more complicated surgery than the past one, which took 10 hrs. Yet this time it took less than 6.5 hrs. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼  Praise Jesus that Jason’s colon was good and workable to be able to use as his new stomach/esophagus. While the removal of the stomach, esophagus, tumor was much harder than anticipated due to the scar tissue f/ the past surgery and complication, the Dr. was able to remove all of the necessary parts including the area around his trachea that flagged on the PET scan that they were unsure about.  PRAISE THE LORD!  Let's keep those prayers coming for the pain to stay under control and COMPLETE healing!

We so appreciate your continued prayers, support and encouragement!  Our family is feeling the love all around the globe!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭

2/24 - Prayer Chain for Surgery Day

Hi All!  We wanted to get the word out that a prayer chain has been set up for surgery day this Wednesday.  If you feel led to sign up for a slot or two, please click on the link below.  We know the AMAZING power of prayer and send a BIG THANKS in advance to those who are willing to help in this way!  Much love!
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0c48a5a82da0fc1-lifting

2/19/20 - Here We Go Again

Greetings Ya’ll...We know it's been since mid-August last year that I was diagnosed with cancer again and we haven't shared much with the masses, but wanted you all to know that God has slowed our journey down as we have been on a path of searching and trusting in Him.  

So a quick recap...We had a busy summer last year as I returned from my unaccompanied tour last year in June just in time for Megan’s birthday.  We were able to enjoy some great time together reuniting as a family here in DC, down at the beach and back in Ohio. Then in early August we came back to DC to finalize our anticipated move and the logistics of getting to Abu Dhabi, UAE.  During that time, the medical office needed some further testing before I could be cleared. In routine testing, they discovered a small ulcer in my stomach. The Dr. fixed it and biopsied, though he didn’t seem concerned….It was that dreaded phone call that I received the next day that would dramatically change our course.

The last six months have included countless days in Dr’s appts, getting more tests, seeking additional opinions and researching the battle in front of me.  That battle is stage two signet ring cell carcinoma gastric cancer. One of the most deadly and aggressive cancers out there. However, having been through this twice before, we knew what we had to do.  After some additional tests and a less than favorable treatment plan presented to us, we thought we had limited options. My team at the University of Maryland didn’t recommend surgery and wasn’t able to offer anything other than a standard regimen of chemo, followed by a chemo/radiation session.  Since the cancer has not metastasized, there are few options at this point. Though Megan and I didn’t feel comfortable, we were at least going to get started on treatment until we could figure it all out. Then by the providence of God, he stopped that path and sent us back to the drawing board.  

As we were literally headed to the hospital to get a port placed in order to start treatment, we realized after a call to the nurse that I hadn’t gotten the required blood work in prep and wouldn’t be able insert the port.  Megan and I looked at each other at that moment and said should we be doing this? We both felt God telling us to slow down and trust in Him….That was late-September….The previous month had been a crazy four weeks trying to figure out life here in Maryland again, since we knew we wouldn’t be able to move overseas after the diagnosis, we had no house, no cars, no forethought on where we might settle or what life would look like back in America. Because we were so preoccupied in getting settled and kids in school, we didn’t have as much time as we hoped to get a treatment plan with which we felt comfortable.  So in the interim, we had been able to get with a naturopath out of Seattle recommended by Believe Big and start some alternative options to get my body back in line. Still not knowing what a traditional treatment plan might look like, we knew we needed to seek out a couple more opinions.  

Through a referral to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Megan and I went in thinking they might be able to offer some chemo trials that others weren’t able.  What we walked away with from that first meeting was a recommendation to go straight to surgery. We really did dismiss it at first, given my thoracic surgeron’s strong recommendation against surgery this time based on my previous surgery eight years ago.  However, each time we tried to say surgery really wasn’t an option, God continued to point us back to it. Though NIH recommended surgery, they referred me to have it done by a Dr. in New York City at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.  

So after a number of consults and tests to make sure I was still a surgical candidate, here we are.  Surgery is set for next Wednesday 26 February. This is definitely not the place I thought I would be at, but given what I am facing, this high risk/high reward option is where Megan and I feel at peace with.  High risk because it’s pretty much the same surgery I underwent eight years ago, but in this case they will use my colon as the new esophagus/stomach. They will be removing the stomach in its entirety and make the colon as the new stomach and esophageal tube.  Additionally, they will have to work through and around all the scar tissue and disruptions from the last surgery. High reward because, by God’s grace we were able to discover it as stage 2, and the hope is that it can be removed completely with clean margins. This is a far superior option to chemo, as chemo has such a low success rate to put it in complete remission.  

Through these last six months, just like my bout with esophageal cancer, God is answering our prayers and providing a path through this….So early on during prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance Philippians 1:12-21 has resonated time and time again.

“12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

What the apostle Paul says here is so relevant to my situation.  God has already given me an additional eight years that statistics and Dr’s said wasn’t likely.  So here I stand against all odds, and though only God knows how this turns out, I rest confidently that my trials have brought glory to Him.  So just like the scripture we stood on during the last cancer in Romans 2:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  He’s in control.

We can’t you all enough thus far for the prayers for clarity of treatment, the outpouring of financial support, and help with details of having surgery out of state.  We are overwhelmed and undeserving of the blessings that have been bestowed on our family. Now that our children are older, it’s been a living testament that God will provide in so many different ways and we just need to trust in His goodness. So as we get the final logistics set for next week, we ask that you hold our family up in your prayers.  Since I will likely be in the hospital for at least 3 weeks with Megan by my side, we are blessed by family coming to spend time with the kids so their life remains relatively disrupted. Please pray for the surgery, the doctors, the recovery, and for the kids to manage with mom and dad away. More to come after surgery. Thank you so much for all that you have done and thanks in advance for your fervent prayers through next Wednesday and beyond. 

God Bless and stay tuned.

Jason