This weekend I have been reminded why this battle against cancer is so difficult. The journey is filled with ups and downs. This weekend we experienced a down moment. When I made the decision to journal my thoughts and experiences through this journey I promised myself that I would be honest and share my true feelings. It would seem much easier to leave out the low moments and only talk about the highs, but that would be less than honest.

Brody went to Miami and had his monthly EUA on Friday. Each month we have waited anxiously to hear good news from Dr. Murray and each month we have received good news, but this month the good news was mixed with a little bad news. You probably know this, but in case you don’t, it only takes a little bad news to completely drown out the good. The good news is that Dr. Murray is still working hard to save Brody’s eye and is still optimistic. The good news is that Dr. Murray is one of the Best Doctors in the world and people come from all over the U.S. to see Dr. Murray. The good news is that Bascom Palmer was once again named the number one eye clinic in America! The good news is that medically, we are in the best of hands! The best news is that “if our God is for us, nothing can stand against us,” and nothing takes our Heavenly Father by surprise. We know that we can fully trust Brody into His care!

Now for the touch of bad news. Dr. Murray told Casey that during the examination he saw some activity in the tumor. He wants to do some more chemo. So Brody, Casey, and Beth will leave home today (Sunday) headed back to Miami. After just one day at home, it’s time for another grueling trip! My heart is heavy for Brody and his mother. They will be in Miami for three days. For now, we don’t know how many more chemo treatments are coming. We are hoping and praying that it will only take a few this time around.

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians holds a passage that I hold to this morning:  ”But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)

Thank you for standing with us in prayer through this difficult journey!

Blessings!