Back on for the Ride

Well, we have not been here in a while. Our apologies for the infrequency of the posts as Pop has waited-out his 6 weeks of no treatment. He has been feeling better and better each day, and we can't help but feel the miracle of his short-term health. On June 21st, Pop underwent a high-resolution CAT scan. While it hadn't been the full 6 weeks since his treatment was done, the oncologist was anxious to see what was going on due to Pop's improving health. "I just can't believe how well you're doing," the doctor said over and over again. "Well, I'm feeling good," Pop would always smile back. The CAT scans were looked at by both his oncologist, and radiologist, and meetings were scheduled to review the images. Both meetings came with positive results. The two doctors saw "significant shrinking" of the tumor, and were amazed how well the regiment of chemo and radiation had worked. The oncologist called up to Hershey Medical Center right away to set-up an appointment with the surgical team to have a consultation. As a family, it was wonderful news to hear. The tumor has shrank, Pop's health is increasing, and surgery is now an option again! Rarely does one get excited for surgery, but in Pop's case surgery means a shot at curing the cancer. In typical Pop fashion, he went ahead and registered himself, and both sons, in the Covered Bridge bike ride in August. It is a 65 mile ride that meanders around southern Lancaster County. Of course, Pop doesn't mention this to anyone until the confirmations show-up in the mail. Then when confronted about it, he got a little smirk on his face. "I knew all of the doctors would say it's too early, so I decided not to ask if it would be a good idea. And...well now that we're registered I guess it's too late to ask. I guess we'll just have to ride, " he calmly stated, with an obvious tone of sarcasm. It didn't come as a shock to anyone who knows Dad. His ambition and energy are part of what make him unique. I guess that puts Joel and I behind the 8-ball. We better get in riding shape!
Finally, last Friday we were able to have our appointment with the surgical team from Hershey Medical Center. The CAT scans had been sent up, and the team had studied and discussed them. When the surgeon walked in the room, he was visibly pleased. "It has been a while since we've seen you Mr. Keefer, but you look like you are doing very well. We are impressed with the response of your tumor to treatments, and it looks like surgery could be an option." He went on to discuss that the tumor looks to have pulled away from the hipatic artery, and what the surgery would entail. "So, we will schedule you on the 19th of July to have surgery, and with your health, I think you will recover quite nicely," the surgeon stated optimistically. To make sure that all the images were correct, and that the tumor was clear of all the vital areas, the surgeons ordered a number of tests to be done this week. The most revealing would be the full-body PET scan. The ball had been set-in-motion, and we were all trying to wrap our minds around the events that had now placed us on the road to a cure. We went out-to-eat on our way home from the hospital to discuss and celebrate the news.
The beginning of this week didn't bring any tests, so Pop has tried getting small jobs around home taken care of. Yesterday, was the scheduled PET scan, which means lots of strange liquids to be drank. Megan and Emma went along to entertain Pop during the long procedure. A few hours after the imaging was done, the family met with one of the surgeons to discuss things. It was a different surgeon this time, and his entrance into the room wasn't near as exuberant as the meeting before. He mentioned the tumor, then quickly turned the conversation. "There are two dark spots on your liver that we are concerned about. The cancer appears to have spread to this organ." He tried being delicate with his words, but the enormity of the statement sent a shocking blow. The air left the room, and a numbness set-in. The family knew that this was a possibility, but somehow with all the expressed optimism from the doctors it didn't seem likely. The surgeon went on to explain that the dark spots could be an infection, but the odds are extremely low that that is the case. Either way, we will know for sure next week when they do a liver biopsy.
As we sat around the dinner table last night, we were honest with one another. We talked openly about how this might change things, and how we were all feeling. Tears were shed over the disappointment and uncertainty, but smiles were abundant and plentiful as Emma made a mess of everything. Things have taken an unexpected left turn, true. But, everyone's prayers are still very much felt by the family, and we know that we rest in an unshakable place. God's love and mercy has proven to be enough before, and it will prove sufficient again. We pray for wisdom and clarity for the doctors, and for an unsurpassed strength for the family. Lord, we surrender our hopes and dreams, our wishes and desires, so that we can take on Yours.