Turkey Tail and waiting for Treatment Plans

A beautiful day (8/31) in Calgary overlooking the Bow with the kids

We got the results of the surgical biopsy today, and the results of an MRI yesterday. We are still waiting for official "staging" (between stage 3 or 4), and treatment plan recommendations from oncology at the cancer centre. We expect both chemotherapy and immunotherapy to be recommended soon. We will meet with oncology next Tuesday and will update after that appointment. From our upbeat and friendly surgeon: Chester's recovered nicely, even impressively, from his surgery. He can pick up Walter today (cleared to lift more than 10 pounds!). He'll be cleared for full physical activity 8 weeks out from surgery. The entire tumor along with 113 lymph nodes were taken out with "good margin." (That's good.) 10/113 Lymph nodes had cancer present. We understand this means stage 3c at minimum.

From the stark and medically dense MRI notification: There are several spots in the liver suspected to be cancer. We also met for two hours with a naturopathic oncology care support doctor this week. The visit provided some clear answers on what we can do to support Chester's health and immune system on a daily basis through diet, lifestyle, and supplements before and during other courses of treatment.

We were very grateful for support in narrowing our focus, as we have been speed reading books on the topic of healing from cancer and the amount of information can be overwhelming. He was able to advise on some concrete changes and additions that have studied/measurable effects on survival and reducing recurrence - eliminating added sugar/insulin spikes, fasting regimens, daily walks, and medicinal doses of vitamin D, zinc, and a mushroom called turkey tail are examples.

So we're putting turkey tail powder in green tea, making big organic salads, researching grassfed beef, and praying hard as we wait for the next step. Life goes on. Our little one had hand foot and mouth disease last week and had his own day-long hospital adventure. Our big girl starts Kindergarten next week. We don't have family visiting at the moment, and are trying to take some deep breaths in this pause.

Please pray... for our last week of "summer" as a family. The onset of fall feels too fast in a thousand ways with so much unknown. Pray for our family being able to enjoy the health Chester has recovered this week, for joy in our vocations both in our family and church, and the ability to stay present and focused on "today" in the waiting. For hope, and for the Lord's presence daily. Chester will be sharing a message at church on Sunday based on Matthew 14:22-33, shared below:

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”