Answers to Prayer!

Shane & I flew to NY for the long weekend to be with my family, especially Tyler, while we waited to hear the results from his doctors. And although we're still not 100% sure what's going on with his elbow, the results that we received on Friday evening all pointed to something other than lymphoma. PRAISE GOD!!! He had some fluid extracted from where his elbow is swollen and typically with lymphoma the levels would be around 10. Tyler's fluid level was 1.5 - definitely good news! The fluid was also clear, which means that there is no infection in the area. The doctors said it was possible for him to have an infection where the bone had been damaged from previous chemo treatments - but with clear fluid, that's clearly not the case. Tyler also had a PET scan Friday afternoon and the only uptake they saw was in his elbow - so even IF the lymphoma is back... it's only back in his elbow and nowhere else. He's also had blood work done on a couple different occasions and those have come back normal, too! At this point we're still waiting to hear the results from his bone biopsy which was done this afternoon, and at that time we will know with all certainty if the lymphoma has returned or not. So far it's all good news and we're trusting God to bring even greater news with the results of today's biopsy. GOD IS SO GOOD!! When Shane & I got in the car to leave work on Friday afternoon for the airport, I looked at him and said, "It feels different somehow this time... I feel like even though things are scary right now that we'll receive good results and that this weekend will be one big party." And God certainly gave us that gift for the weekend. We had a blast with everyone - and even Jordan was able to get away from school responsibilities on Sunday afternoon to join us for lunch at PF Chang's. Here is a picture of all the kids right after we stuffed our bellies full :)

We can't thank everyone enough for all the prayers and well wishes sent our way over this past week - and throughout this past year as Tyler has walked through cancer treatment. We serve a God that is greater than all of this and we THANK HIM for what He's done and what He continues to do not only in Tyler's life, but in the life of our entire family. I'll leave you with one of my favorite benedictions, coming from the book of Jude: "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."