Update

I know it has been a long time since I have blogged, but I honestly couldn't bring myself to post anything.  Everytime I thought about it, I knew it would be important to share about my dad, since the whole point of us blogging is to share our life.  So I guess by posting this, I am telling you and myself I am ready.

The last 11 months have been a whirlwind of difficulties, gratefulness, sadness and joy. After I was diagnosed last November, we were in shock, but through prayers by so many people I was given peace. Peace that God would carry me through the cancer. I felt as though I was prepared no matter what the outcome would be, because I believe God has a good and perfect will. He did carry me through the cancer and after surgery in February, I found myself cancer free. My spirits were high throughout this time and I felt the joy and peace God gives us when we allow Him to have control.
All that to say, I was not ready for what was to come after losing my dad in May. That was a tragic loss and extremely difficult and still is now. (Monday will be 5 months) Grief was so much more difficult than what we endured with cancer, although looking back I can see God's hand at work using the journey through cancer to prepare me. He had taught me to lean on him through prayer, scripture, family & friends. The grief is still extremely difficult, but I couldn't imagine going through this without God. I miss my dad so much, but I can find joy in my memories with him and knowing he is in Heaven.  Through grief I experienced so much sadness and depression, it felt like a dark tunnel in which I could not see light on the other side.  I kept praying that God would take it away, but I know that is not how God works.  He is fair and just and I believe that He knew that the sorrow would make me stronger and more prepared for this difficult world.  Matt and I are both stronger and closer in our relationship with each other and our relationship with God.  I will blog more later about my journey through the depression and the power of God's whispers through that time.

 As for now, Matt and I leave for Houston tomorrow for my 6 month check up.  My check up will consist of blood work, ultrasounds and a visit with my doctor.  I feel like I have no reason to be concerned.  I feel at peace right now.

Finally, I want to share with you a few verses that kept my head above water even when it felt more like I was drowning.  Through these verses I was comforted knowing that God's will for my life is Good & Perfect always even though it does not include all of the "wonderful" plans I have, that the Lord is my strength and He covers all fears, anxiety and pain.  He has carried me through all of this and I am grateful to have learned so much.  I am grateful to have gone through the journey of cancer because of what it taught me about a temporal world and relying on God, I can't same the same about losing my sweet daddy, but I am sure one day I will. 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, "declares the Lord," plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future." 

Psalm 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety."

Phillipians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Love you all,

Court

Who likes shots anyways?

Hello from Houston! We arrived Sunday evening and were pleasantly surprised about the fairly easy drive. My first appointment was yesterday and began at 6am with blood work, but then we had to wait 3 hours for my next appointment which was a thyrogen injection. Which made me incredibly nauseous and sensitive to most anything including smells and movement. As you can imagine this was not fun, but I am so grateful that I don't have to have chemo. I had another thyrogen injection today, I was not quite as neuseous...just a bit queasy. The thyrogen injections allowed me to stay on my thyroid medicine before my radiation. James 1 has been an amazing study for me at this point. That's all for now, thanks for reading!

Home Sweet Home

As Matt mentioned in previous blogs we hoped to be home by Friday and praise God that is what happened. We pulled into the driveway a little after 5pm, where a clean home with fresh flowers and smelly dogs greeted us warmly. Matt's sweet sisters took the day off to make sure our home was welcoming. They also bought Matt cereal that I never buy for him, you know the sugary stuff...I think it was frosted flakes and we were suprised by an early birthday gift for me...a George Foreman Grill, can't wait to use it.

Matt pretty much summed up the days after surgery so I just thought I would blog about a few things that have been on my mind.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude for my sweet husband, who is amazingly patient and loving caregiver. He exceeded my expectations. In addition, to catering to my every need 24/7 he would just sit with me, read scripture to me and pray with me. He was so calm and brave before surgery and continued to be when he had to take care of the drainage tubes. Apparently, whatever I wanted, I got...which mainly consisted of having the air at 65, the tv noise down and not allowing them to eat yummy smelly food like cheeseburgers. I begin to tear up every time I think of this journey and how incredibly supportive Matt has been. I am grateful to his sweet parents for raising such an incredible person and to our church that has loved us and taught us what it means to be Christ followers in our marriage. They have shown us God's truth, taught and mentored us to show us what a Godly marriage looks like. This has been such a blessing to me as I have observed Matt's desire to learn and grow and lead our home. I am overwhelmed that God would give me such an incredible husband, I feel so undeserved, so blessed.

Gratitude for our family, friends and church. We have been provided for and received many cards, messages and flowers from people wanting to support & serve us to show us their love and say they are praying for us. Our sunday school class has a meal sign up to deliver us meals, friends have offered to run errands and during the week after our surgery Matt's parents and our sweet friend Blaine stayed in Houston, which was so helpful to have them there to support Matt while he took care of me. This was so encouraging and humbling. I have thought about these precious acts of service so many times and a few days after surgery I was thinking about how all of this is the exact representation of Jesus washing his disciples feet. All of these acts are exactly what Jesus has called us to do as disciples and for Matt and I to be on the receiving end of such servanthood is humbling and inspiring. We have seen God at work in so many ways and we are so grateful.

Thank you to all of you who prayed, cared, loved, served, made us laugh and cried with us. We love you.

Last Doctor visit... for now

Great news today! The stud Dr Sherman said everything is going as planned. He's happy with the surgery, happy with the pathology report, happy with her healing. But I am going to have to stop waiting on Court hand and foot so she will get used to moving again... it's for her own good.
As for the surgery: They took out 20+ lymph nodes in the neck. 12 or 13 were cancerous. They did what's called a bi-lateral and para-tracheal neck dissection. The thyroid bed was 'scooped' for any remaining tissue. The plan now is to return April 11-14 to get radioactive iodine treatment. Sherman is unsure there will be any need to get the full dose of iodine. So, it is possible she will get scanned and not receive any treatment at all because no amounts of cancer will pop up. That's what we will pray for right now.
She is moving around a lot better and eating good too. We are so ready to get home and thank you everyone for your thoughts, comments and prayers. If you just thought about us or prayed for us these past two weeks, that is more than we could ever ask. I truly believe our prayers were answered over and over with the path God has laid out for us.

Thanks,
Matt & Court

Great Day

Well, so far so good. Today started with an early morning and breakfast at the dinner table again. Her appointment at 1:00 with Dr Sturgis was a success. Answered prayers, those drainage tubes are finally out! Just as I was getting good at it.
Dr Sturgis and Dr DeLuna made it clear today that Court can get back to normal as soon as possible. They even said she could run on a treadmill if she felt like it. Maybe in a week or two, we won't push it. But as for right now, she should talk as much as she can (shouldn't be a problem), and move her neck and shoulders to prevent stiffness. The NO FAT diet extended to two weeks. And to help her scars, she has to use vitamin E capsules and squeeze the 'juice' to prevent scarring. She is also suppose to be active to prevent puffiness and swelling.

So thank you very much for all the prayers. The past few days feel like we've made it through the tough parts for this round. We wait to hear from Dr Sherman tomorrow.

Thanks,
Matt & Court

Tuesday Udate

Courtney had a great day today! She got up before I did and was in the living room with my parents drinking coffee in the recliner. She ate a good breakfast then rested. We hadn't seen her eyes that much in a long time! The neck and mouth workouts take quite a bit out of her. She said she feels trapped because she can't move.

The nurse finally called back and there is not much they can do. The other option is a Tylenol in liquid form. And for nausea, they didn't want to give her anything because she is low on calcium. We see Dr Sturgis (surgeon) tomorrow at 1:00 so hopefully we can get those tubes out and she will feel a lot better. Then we see Dr Sherman on Thursday at 9:30am.

We hope to be home by Friday so pray for good appointment this week and rest this week.

Thank you all,
Matt & Court

Courtney's Favorite Things

Well, not favorite... but these are the most important things to us right now. Weird how whenever you go through something like this your priorities change. For instance, it took us 3 days and 4 grocery stores to find Cream of Wheat. We needed a 'noise maker' for Court to use in case she needed something so our friend Blaine found the pink bicycle horn. It lightens the mood when you hear a tiny squeak come from the bedroom. The coffee is for me. The row of meds represent all that she is taking (that's about half of them). The holding cross was a really cool gift and stayed with us all day at the hospital. It fits perfectly in your hand and she has been praying with it daily. Tape, hand sanitizer, alcohol pads are used daily. She's on calcium supplements, too. There is only one set of keys to the gate in the garage so it's been hectic trying to coordinate who has it and when.

So, there you go. A collage of our life right now. Bad lighting and bad camera but I hope you get the idea.

Thanks,
Matt & Court