Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

There really is always something to be thankful for, even in the midst of suffering.  I am more thankful this year than I have ever been, and not just on this Thanksgiving holiday - but every moment of every day.

My family has been through a lot.  As much pain and fear that we have had to face, I am thankful that we have made it this far. I have grown closer to my family, and I have learned a great deal about myself. I have learned that I am much stronger than I thought I was.  I have learned the true meaning of faith. I am learning to accept the unknown, which has introduced me to a mental freedom that I have never experienced before.

I am writing this post mainly to thank each and every one of you who have been there for my Dad, my sister and I throughout this past year. I am so thankful for all the love and support that we have been given.  No amount of words can express the gratitude I feel in my heart at this moment.

Love,
Mary Beth


“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.” 
― Seneca

Scan Results

Spoke with Dad's doctor today, and he said that Dad has had an excellent response to treatment. His tumor is 1/4 the size of what it was. They want him to do 6 more treatments and then surgery. Don't want Dad to have to endure more treatment, but I think this is good news. Thanks, as always, for the continued love and support.

Our Visit with the Surgeon

Well, we drove up to Atlanta only to hear that the doctor needed more time to compare the scan before chemo with the recent scan (we had the disk with us, and they had to call for the written report yesterday because it had not been sent over). My Dad's regular oncologist has retired and we have not met with the new one yet, so the surgeon wants us to meet with him and also come back to see him in two weeks.

He did mention that just from the written report from the scan, it looks like there is not much difference in the tumor but no new spots as far as he could tell. He said he needed to compare the old results with the new side by side to be sure of any change.

They may want him to do more treatments in the waiting time for surgery, which is 6 - 8 weeks. (One of his chemo medications is similar to a blood thinner, so that is the reason for waiting).  I was hoping he wouldn't have to do any more, but I'm glad that they are staying on top of this. I know how sneaky cancer is and how much can change in 6 to 8 weeks. At least he handles the chemo pretty well and it would hopefully keep the cancer in check until the surgery is done.

So, just more waiting.  We should know more in two weeks about what happens next.  Thanks for the prayers and well wishes everyone, please keep them coming.

Love,
Mary Beth

Colon Cancer Awareness

I'm a member of a forum on colon cancer, and unfortunately, I'm seeing more people join the forum who are getting diagnosed at a younger age.  (Recently, 2 people in their twenties have joined declaring their diagnosis.)  It is also unfortunate that the disease is becoming more and more common.

I'm seeing people on the forum who were misdiagnosed for years until cancer at later stages had been found to be the true cause of symptoms (IBS, etc.).  It's important for me, as someone who has seen a loved one fight this disease, to spread awareness about getting screened and noticing early symptoms of colon cancer.

Please know your family history and don't ignore symptoms.  Screening can be unpleasant, but by far, less troublesome than what you will have to endure if you don't catch this disease as early as possible.  **It's important especially if you have a history of colon cancer in your family, to begin screening BEFORE the recommended age of 50.

Click here for information about screening!

Chemo (hopefully) Done!

Daddy has almost finished his prescribed 6 cycles of chemotherapy (Thursday he will be finishing up the last 46 hour infusion). In two weeks he will have a PET scan and then we see the surgeon again. I'm so proud of my Dad for his strength and determination throughout this treatment. 

Raffle Winners

Raffle Winners: 1st Prize Art/ Gift Basket Raffle - Mike Suggs, Photo Shoot Winner - Mike Suggs. 

I also drew a second and third prize winner for the art raffle, 2nd runner up winner - Cathy Batchelor and 3rd runner up winner - Marsha Kendrick Royal. Cathy has chosen the "Red Tree" painting, and Mike Suggs chose "Perigee Moon". @ Marsha Royal, please contact me to choose your painting from the remaining pieces.

Thanks to everyone who came out today!

Special Thank You!

I would like to just take a moment to thank Cathy Batchelor from Creekside Country Crafts and Modern Woodmen for matching the donations from the last VFW benefit and several donation locations in town that have been collected.  

Also, many thanks to everyone who has so kindly and generously given to help ease the financial burden that unfortunately comes along with a cancer diagnosis.  The support and love that our family has been shown has made such a huge difference in our fight against this disease.  

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Love,

Keith Morris & Family.