It's a good day!

Ryan is back at work today, and has been feeling optimistic all day, despite the fact that his pain level has risen again overnight.  The doctor says that is to be expected as the healing process continues.  

See that computer screen?  I took my Math final and ACED it.  100%!  We are obviously being blessed by all the prayers being offered in our behalf. 

On Friday we got the news that Ryan has non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.  It was very shocking, even though we knew his tumor was being tested in a pathology lab.  The ENT said it would take several weeks before we could get an appointment with an oncologist.  We called our parents and cried for a few hours.  Then we anxiously headed over to Josh's house so he could look at the pathology report and help us unscramble the medical terminology.  It's impossible to express how helpful he has been.  Heavenly Father definitely puts people in our lives to help us through our trials.  After we rounded up the kids from various friend's houses, we held a family meeting.

On Friday evening, Steve Thorne and Bishop Myers brought us immeasurable comfort when they gave us Priesthood blessings.  We also had amazing friends leave messages and drop off food to show their love.  At some point, I remembered a talk by Elder Bednar called "That We Might Not Shrink"  [start the video at about 18:40 or read the talk].  Elder Bednar reminds us to align our will with God's will.  It has never had as much meaning as it does now.  Since Ryan and I couldn't sleep, we stayed up watching the video of the talk and discussing the priority shift that has happened.

Saturday was a pretty gloomy day.  Brynlie had an audition for a musical in the morning, and we spent the rest of the day trying to keep our minds occupied with running errands and cleaning the house.  In the evening, we drove to Kansas City to meet the Porters after they flew in from Washington!  They had been very concerned about the timing of their visit, but it ended up being perfect.  We desperately needed the distraction and comfort that only family can bring.

Sunday was spent watching Conference and devouring fattening food.  We had some great gospel discussions mixed in with a lot of laughing.  Some of us went to Liberty Jail in-between Conference sessions.  A line from the narration stood out to me this time: "What could have been a time of despair became a season of faith."  Ryan said it was one of the best days of his life.  We are already seeing blessings stem from this trial.

Monday was hard because reality started setting in.  We are optimistic but scared.  Hopeful but nervous.  Faithful but fearful.  It has been such a blessing to have Tiff, Dan and the extra kids here.  They recognized the stress we are feeling and took some of our kids to Nauvoo for a few days so Ryan and I can be together.

Josh recommended an oncologist, then called him first thing Monday morning to get us an appointment ASAP.  Just having an appointment has brought us more peace because we are moving in the right direction.  The waiting is the hardest part.  We will have more info after meeting with Dr. Sirridge on Friday, but we know Ryan will undergo several tests to see if/where the cancer has spread.  Our treatment plan will depend on the results of those tests.  We know Ryan will require at least 6 months of intensive chemotherapy.  We are praying the cancer is localized in his throat and hasn't invaded the bone marrow or additional lymph nodes.