Slowing our Pace

Over the past two weeks, Pop's health has been getting better and better. So good, in fact, that he started working the beginning of this week. Last week when we saw the oncologist, he was a bit stunned that Pop was asking to go back to work. "I mean, feel free to do whatever you would like," the doctor stammered, a bit perplexed that Dad was looking forward to going back. "Sounds good," Pop replied, rather satisfied that he didn't have to push the issue. Pop loves working with his hands, and it has been great for him to be back at work. The routine is refreshing, and the day brings variety along with it. Of course, giving himself no slack, he can't believe how tired he is at the end of a day. It is a good tired though, and he is resting better at night.
Today we finally met with the doctors to discuss the liver biopsy and the brain scan that were taken last week. We all walked into the waiting room laughing at Joel's antics on the elevator-ride up. They have come to know the Keefer family at Hershey Medical in the cancer wing, since we all tend to show up together and congest their small consultation rooms (we know they secretly love seeing Emma). After an amazingly short wait in the waiting room (only 25 minutes this time), we all crowded into the consult room to wait for the doctor. Joel was generous enough to show us some dance moves while we waited. One of the head doctors finally arrived carrying Pop's folder. His demeanor wasn't upbeat, and he cut straight-to-the-chase. "So...the preliminary results from the liver biopsy are coming back as cancerous. It is the same type of cancer cells that are making up your tumor." He did a thorough job of describing how these cells are quite rare, but appear to be rather prevalent in Pop's cancer. With a pause, he continued. "That is not the most concerning part, however. It appears that things have spread to the brain. There are three tumors growing in your brain." The silence that followed was like a deafening gong. For just a few seconds we were left with our thoughts. Tumors...brain...liver. Again, it was within the realm of possibility, but highly unlikely that it would spread so quickly and to such vital organs. The doctor finally spoke, and we looked at images of the tumors. This was well outside his realm of expertise, so he kindly gave us some resources. We walked out quieter than when we entered, but hardly defeated. Over lunch we talked about some lighter things, and how more answers will come on Monday when we meet again with the oncologist. It would be nice if the news was different, but it still can't stifle the joy we have. We may cry, and it may cause us to grow weary at times, but the love that is unstoppable covers us all. We will wait upon Him.