Cancer Shock

October 7, 2014 Phil admitted himself to the Salt Lake VA for abdominal pains. He had a GI bleed. They scoped him for an ulcer and sent him home. We 3 out of the 4 weekends in the hospital that October. After CT scans, PET scan and lots of other random tests and blood draws they finally came up with a diagnoses for him. We meet Doctor Sara Oconoley and she told us of the earth shattering news. Stage 4 Melanoma. She said he has a few months to a few years, but don't plan on living past 40. WHAT???? Oh my mind, stomach and heart just broke for Phil. I never in  million years thought I would be a widow in my 30's. The girls, who adore and worship the ground he walks on. Through all of this though we have had an extra added measure of the spirit. The Lord has carried and will continue to carry us. We have felt the all the prayers and fasting from so many of you. For that we are deeply humbled and full of gratitude for your love and friendship.

I am amazed as I look back to the past 10 1/2 years of our life how the Lord's hand as been guiding us and putting us on the right path so we could end up here in the Heber Valley. I now know why we have not been able to get pregnant.(definitely not a lack of trying) We have been so blessed with so much family time. With employment issues and Phil's hip surgeries. He was able to be a stay at home dad while I delivered pizzas in the evening. His current job with dental sales allowed him to work Tuesday-Thursdays. We truly are so blessed. We had the impression to get life insurance last year, and acted on that, thank goodness. He joined the United States Air force and because of his percentage of disability we are covered 100% with hospital bills and the medication he needs(thank goodness cause his chemo pill is $1000 a pill). So many blessing, an out pouring of the spirit. Then most of all moving to the Heber Valley and getting to know so many wonderful people. We live near the Salt Lake VA, one of the to 5 in the Nation, they work closely with The Huntsman Cancer Center and The University of Utah Hospital.

His certain Melanoma started in the digestive track. His ulcer turned out to be the source of the cancer. We have been in a world of emotions this past week. Phil was admitted back into the hospital on Saturday November 8, 2014. He was just released yesterday November 14, 2014. His mass on his kidney had hemorrhaged. They hauled him away on the stretcher and away he went in excruciating pain in the ambulance. That was the scariest day of my life. I thought he was going to die, I've never seen him in so much pain.  He has masses on his kidneys are 4X5 centimeters. He has spots in his small intestine now that have grown since October.

We just found out yesterday that he is a candidate for the drug that they are having amazing results. His mutation matches for the drug to be effective. It will at least buy us some time, then maybe they will come out with something more amazing. 5 years ago, there were no options for stage 4. We are so grateful for great doctors and nurses that are his fighting as hard as he is to overcome this. He is so young and otherwise healthy. We are filled with SO much HOPE.

Here's to a speedy recovery and a great quality of life, for however long we are blessed to serve and love Phil. He is our everything. Life has never been boring with Phil. We love you all.