Back from Duke, again!

Dan is resting comfortably on day 3 of his new chemo routine. He will have two more night-time doses and then 23 days off. Sound familiar? We are back on Temodar (our original chemo). We will do this for 3 more months and head back up to Duke for our new orders. By the way...DAN HAD A CLEAN MRI!!!!! We are elated that this chemo regimine seems to be holding the cancer at bay. It takes an amazingly strong person to "tough out" all of the side effects, but Dan is nothing if not strong. When we finish this 3-month cycle of Temodar, Dan will officially hit the 52 weeks/1 year of chemo status. At that point the doctors will check-out Dan's health to determine if he is eligible to receive more chemo. If so, we may continue to take chemotherapy for up to another year. If not, Dan will take a chemo holiday that will last an undetermined amount of time (until regrowth of tumor--forever I hope).

We have been up in the mountains of N.C. with my parents since early June and it has been wonderful. We head back to Florida next Friday. This time has been truly set-apart from the rest of our "normal" lives...or should I say new-normal lives. We wake up each morning to the sun rising over the mountain range to our east. Our days are filled with mild nature walks and fun dinners with family. It is easy to live in the moment when you are so completely aware of God's amazing power (through his beautiful creation). Even the drive down the mountain to the grocery store can just take your breath away.

I haven't written in a while because Dan keeps wanting to post, but he gets tired by the time it comes to do some writing. I have to say that he is in the final leg of this chemo thing and his concentration must remain inwardly focused in order to reach his goal. He is not really able to make phone calls and maintain a heavy social calendar due to the side-effects of chemo...BUT...at the same time, I encourage you to continue to call, write and reach-out to him. We have to remind him that we are here for him. I know that this is temporary. In a few months he will finish this treatment and his body will become stronger. He will have more energy and be able to reach out to you all. We will have a real holiday from this cancer.

To say that Dan and I are weary from this battle with cancer is an understatement. We are exhausted. Emotionally, it is bone-wearying to live with this kind of stress and yet, we remain joyful. Our hearts are broken over the loss of our friend's 12-day-old baby this past week. Dan's grandmother went on Hospice this week, as well. Yet, life is good and God is good all the time. We received news that another friend is expecting a new baby boy. We still have Dan with us and he is able to walk and talk and hold us in his arms. We have two beautiful children who love us despite our weaknesses. Next month we will be attending the first service ever of our new church, Christ Church, in Vero Beach. Life is not what I expected but it seems that as long as I continue to trust in Jesus it turns out remarkably more rich and fulfilling than my original desires.

In July we will celebrate Dan's year anniversary (a day that he never thought to see). We will also celebrate our 11th anniversary (a day that I have prayed for since Dan's surgeon gave him the 9-12 month prognosis). Finally, we will celebrate MK's 8th birthday--hooray!!! We have much to be thankful for. Thank you for loving us.

Lots of love,
Leah and crew




















Sunset Rock overlooking Higlands, NC