We flew back from Houston this morning without any results or next steps. We promised the kids that it would only be a 3 night trip and I believe it is good for us to be together.

Yesterday was a full day. I spent a few hours in MD Anderson’s breast center. I met some of the best doctors who compassionately and thoroughly took many ultrasound images of my right breast and went directly into a biopsy procedure which took about 4 samples. We ended with more mammogram pictures, and I was told that results usually come back in 3-5 days and that my lymphoma team would be notified.

We are amazingly happy and thankful that the PET scan on Wednesday showed a completely clear right eye area and forehead – that had been our big fear for reoccurrence. This breast thing has come completely out of the blue. In fact, I had just had my annual visit with my GYN and had a clear mammogram on 12-17-14. The nature of this aggressive growth is unbelevable.

Please continue to pray that it is some sort of benign mass, and that the radiologist, pathologist and my lymphoma team will know how to proceed.

I met with my stem cell doctor and my radiation oncologist during this trip, and they are ready to design a treatment plan if necessary. Of course, our prayer and desire is for complete health and as little impact on our family if some sort of treatment is needed.

Please pray for our energy level and that we stay optimistic and not weary. As you can imagine, it just seems like too much as we were just coming out of the fog. . .

One of my favorite songs from last summer:

Jonathan here.

We have some mixed news after this morning’s PETct. The original area around April’s eye is completely clear, which is a huge relief. The surprise is that the scan shows activity in her right breast. This could be something harmless, or the lymphoma may have found a new location.

We will know much more tomorrow with an ultrasound and a biopsy – starting at 8. We also have an appointment with the stem cell doctor. Please pray that it is not cancer, and for the doctor’s wisdom. Thank you.

It is truly amazing how quickly the weeks fly by. On the 28th, I’ll have my 6th month scan – 6 months will mark the day I had my stem cell transplant, July 31st. Of course, I like to think of it as my 7-month scan, because I had my first clear scan during radiation in June, and every month counts!

Thankfully, the holidays have really helped with keeping me distracted and busy, and that means negative thoughts are easier to keep out of my head. Jonathan and I celebrated 17 years of marriage on December 13th, our family of 5 had a joy-filled, thankful Christmas, and 2014 was happily said goodbye to with a light and fun celebration with my sister and her family. Although there is much to be thankful for in 2014, we, understandably, are looking forward to this new year.

I ask for your continued prayers as Jonathan and I head back to Houston in a couple of weeks. Please pray for safe travels, cancer-free scans and wisdom for my physicians (I’ll see my radiation oncologist & stem cell doctor on this trip).

As we move into this fresh, new, year, Jonathan’s and my goal is to live purposefully in the moment – less thinking about what’s next & what has already been. I pray the same thing for your family. We live in a really distracted world and each of us has only a precious number of days on this side of eternity. If you want to open your eyes a little to the value of a day, even a moment, take a few minutes to read Ann Voskamp’s blog post. It has inspired me, and Jonathan as well. It even makes this always-suburb-living girl crave a Canadian farm . . .  🙂

Thank you for your prayers.  Happy 2015!

A few Christmas photos:

New Favorite Song ~