step by step You'll lead me...

This part of our story started on June 30. My dear Dad was mowing their back yard on his John Deere riding mower and, while on the bank, it flipped. He landed with his feet under the tractor, flat on his back, with his head inches from the corner of the patio. Mom was able to get him up into a chair. Doug, the boys, and I went over to 1/lift the tractor back onto its wheels and 2/try to convince Dad to let us take him to the hospital. He said "no...it's just bruised". After a week of going to work, he went to the Dr. who did xrays and confirmed that he had a compression fracture of his L3 vertebrae and a broken tailbone. We took him to the hospital, where he stayed for 2 nights and was given a back brace to wear. When it wasn't getting any better, and the pain was getting worse, another xray revealed that the compression was worsening and surgery was scheduled.

On October 19, Dad had spinal fusion of L2/3/4. He was in a great deal of pain but progressed as expected and was back to work in 6 weeks with the aid of a cane.

In early December, there was a bladder cancer scare. There was blood, pain, frequency but we learned that this was probably all caused by the cath in the hospital. We were greatly relieved...

By Christmas, Dad was not doing well. He was back to using a walker to get around, his right leg was weak, he was slurring his words at times, becoming emotional, dropping things... We were thinking stroke, which scared us. We're all wishing now that that was what it had been...

Last Monday, Dad saw his neurosurgeon who confirmed that his back was doing well. He, too, thought stroke and sent him for an MRI of his brain that evening. The next day, and MRI with contrast was ordered. By Wednesday afternoon, I was at a neurologist with Mom & Dad when we learned that Dad had a brain tumor. We were blown away...

Since then, he's had a CAT scan of his chest, to see if there is cancer there that moved to the brain. Some enlarged lymph nodes, some fluid in his lung...nothing difinitive.

Today we met with an oncologist. He said that the enlarged lymphs are too small to biopsy. During a physical exam, he didn't feel any "lumps or bumps". He said Dad is a puzzle. He has some symptoms...the lymphs, anemia, elevated calcium, etc...that suggest cancer. He will do a bone marrow biopsy on Monday to check for lymphoma. We're awaiting insurance approval for a PET scan. He needs to find out if the brain tumor is the primary tumor or if it's secondary to cancer somewhere else. He did more bloodwork. So...we wait and wonder...

While we're waiting...I will focus on this:
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

I'm only able to focus on things above because Christ alone is my rock, my strength, my very present help in times of trouble and He promised me in His word that He would never leave me or forsake me. He tells me to not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, to make my requests known to Him and that He will give me peace. In this I have hope...