I was due for my next set of scans on March 31.  Little did I know when those scans were scheduled, what life would look like those short 6 months later!  My scan experience was like nothing I've ever encountered before.  A large entourage greeted me at the door, complete with a thermometer, many questions and ample amounts of hand sanitizer.  This was strangely similar to some customs border crossings I have gone through.  I applaud Huntsman for finding ways to continue to care for their patients during an unusual and challenging time of life for everyone.  Once I made it past the front doors, I found my way through some very deserted halls to the locations for my labs and then scans.  My wonderful health team called me and met with me electronically that afternoon to deliver the good news that everything remained unchanged and I was good for another 6 months.  We thanked God for the good news, considering the roller-coaster we had just experienced the 2 weeks prior. 

Some of you are aware that our eldest son, Josiah, was scheduled to head to Japan on March 15 for a 2 year commitment working with college students.  In early March, he received notice that his departure was going to be delayed (due to Covid concerns) and re-evaluated on April 15.  We all shared in his disappointment, but began praying for God to open the doors when it was the right time for him to leave.  We all proceeded to make plans to take a needed trip to Arizona to visit my Mom.  As I mentioned in my last post from November, she had begun her own cancer journey.  The doctors finally diagnosed her with Cholangiocarcinoma and attempted to cure it, first with chemotherapy and then immunotherapy.  

Unfortunately, the chemotherapy took a heavy toll on her body, which resulted in a hospital admission followed by a transfer to a rehab facility.  The goal was to manage her pain (she was experiencing severe neuropathy from the chemo) and strengthen her body to resume immunotherapy treatment.  In the midst of this battle, Josiah received the green light to leave for Japan. After much prayer, he made the very difficult decision that he should leave on March 19, the same day the rest of our family headed to Arizona.  He moved into high gear, packing and preparing to leave.  We dropped him off at the airport early Thursday morning and as he was on his flight to Japan, the company sent an email delaying all other departures, so he was one of the last to be able to head out of the country.  

Oh, and I guess at the same time, life was changing dramatically around the world...for everyone...and the world was experiencing a pandemic....and everything was cancelled or postponed...and Utah had an earthquake (5.7 magnitude, the first in the state since 1992 and the first our family has ever experienced)...yes, it was a crazy ride!

My Mom had been transferred to home with hospice care earlier in the week of March 15 and we arrived in time to spend her final hours of life on this earth with her.  My dear Mom took her final, peaceful breath, surrounded by my Dad, sisters and me, while listening to the song, Precious Lord, on one of her favorite CD’s. I thank God for this gift of time and for peace in the journey. It was a difficult and heartbreaking time for our whole family, but the following week that we stayed on in Arizona was restful, healing and filled with therapeutic Arizona sunshine.  

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love to us and to our family during this painful journey.  The prayers, calls, notes, texts, Facebook posts, gifts and meals were such a blessing and held us all up.  We are thankful for the peace and healing that God has offered and continues to provide for us.   If you are interested in viewing my Mom's memorial page, you can go here.

Praises:

• Another season cancer free for me!
• God's continued goodness and faithfulness!

Prayer Requests:

• For everyone facing the effects of this pandemic, but particularly on my heart are those who are on their own cancer journey in the midst of this uncertainty and concern.  Please pray for supernatural protection for them and for those who care for them and pray for peace in their hearts.  I know what it's like to battle cancer, and to have a loved one in that situation, but I can't imagine the challenges they are facing during this pandemic.
• That my cancer would not return-ever!
• For our family as we continue to grieve the loss of my Mom.
• For Josiah, as he adjusts to life in Japan. 

"Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, According as we have hoped in You.” ~Psalms 33:20-22 

I'll leave you with a lighthearted family photo.  Thanks to Daniel's newly acquired photoshop skills, we were able to get Josiah in on our Easter photo.  :-)

Thank you for continuing this journey with me!