Getting ready for the Fight

After coming home from the hospital last Thursday, it has been an up and down roller-coaster. There are times when Pop feels well enough to sit up in bed, and other times when it takes considerable energy to lift his head from the pillow. Nonetheless, we sit with him as a family and tell stories, and laugh, and let him know of all the current "going-ons". He's been slowly gaining strength over these days in bed, and the feedings through the new j-tube (inserted in his small intestine) have been going well. They are trying to get as many calories into his system for the fight that lies ahead. Tomorrow morning we will be going down to the health campus for his first radiation appointment. We are praying that his stomach has healed enough, since he will need to lay flat on a bed (something he has been unable to do for the past 5 days) for 2 hours while they image the tumor for precise radiation. After that, he will be going to Lancaster Cancer Center for the start of chemotherapy. He is ready to fight. While his strength isn't where we all were hoping that it would be, it makes no difference to Pop. He is willing to do whatever is necessary to start the process. We were thinking of making a bathrobe for him to wear, you know the kind that a boxer wears when they enter the ring, but Pop put a quick end to that idea. Shocking, right? As he starts this battle, we pray for strength (both physically and mentally), endurance, health, healing, faith, and peace. We are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and Pop is holding to that. Thanks to all of you as well for providing strength to Pop, and the family, through emails, cards, flowers, meals, and prayers. Your wave of love has embraced the whole family in a very real way.

We wanted to share with you too, one of the small miracles that has occurred along the way. If you have had the chance to talk to anyone in the family, you may have heard how we have had the chance to see God at work in all sorts of small ways. Here is one of those miracles: Shortly after Pop was diagnosed with cancer, and we realized the severity of it, Mom insisted that we try to get family photos as soon as possible, so that we had pictures just before Pop started getting hooked to a lot of different machines. So, we immediately called a good friend of the family, Kelly Lapp, who does professional photography, to see if she could squeeze us in on short notice. "I'd actually be able to get you guys in this Thursday evening, if that works for you," she said on a Tuesday. Amazingly enough, it suited everyone to meet at the farm that evening (and that's saying something to have everyone's schedules match-up). Kelly came and shot for a while, and we ended up have a great evening with beautiful weather. The very next day, Pop started spiking temperatures of 103 and was admitted to the hospital. He has been hooked to multiple pumps, or machines, ever since. As we think back on the events of the past 2 months, we can't help but see God at work. While the storm seem insurmountable at times, when we step back, with perspective we are able to see God orchestrating a plan. A plan far bigger than we can imagine. So, we'll rest in His grace and His love as we continue one step at a time.
You can find the photos from Kelly's photo-shoot by following the link below. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have :)

Link: http://kellylappphotography.com/2010/04/keefer-family/#more-1269