May 25th 2014

Yesterday, 25-May, was another gut wrenching day. The pathologist came and gave us a preliminary assessment that Afton most likely has a form of bone cancer named Ewings Sarcoma. The good news is that this form of cancer is treatable. The bad news is that in Afton’s case it has matasticized and spread throughout her entire abdominal region with spots in her liver, spleen, and other internal organs. It looks like the main cancer is in her pelvic bone but has spread to other bones as well. I share this with you so you all understand the hill that we have to climb. There are many dark days ahead but Afton is phenomenally strong and we have great faith in the power of the divine.

Today, 26-May, was a good day. I went to church in Vicksburg while Sheri stayed with Afton and hosted hundreds of visitors all day long. I’m not kidding when I say hundreds. At no time during the entire day was there less than 15-30 people in her room. We occasionally had to ask people to leave when the pain became too great or she needed to eat; but all in all she was exceptionally glad that so many people came to wish her well.

Church was fantastic. Br. Gary Holmes gave a marvelous prayer in which he thanked the Lord for both Afton and for the doctors who have taken the time at great expense to learn the art of healing. Br. Holmes just returned from his own cancer surgery and is not out of the woods yet. Thank you Gary for your tender testimony given through prayer. Sam Lance took over the meeting and in his special celestial way let everyone know how much he loves Afton. I was very grateful for Sam’s testimony. I felt the sweet embrace of the members of our ward as they opened their hearts and shared their testimonies.

Our next major hurdle is to get Afton up to Nashville. We originally thought we would drive with her in the back of the van on an air mattress. However, her pain has increased significantly in the past few days and has been difficult to control. The doctors and nurses felt it would be better for her to fly so Afton and Sheri will fly on the LifeFlight jet from Jackson to Nashville tomorrow afternoon. I will drive up to meet them. We will then check into the hospital up there and meet with Dr. Holt on Tuesday morning.

My understanding of the process is that they will then perform a PET scan and a bone biopsy so they can better define exactly which type of small blue cell cancer she has. Based on that pathology report they will then determine which chemotherapy treatment is the most appropriate. Our hope is that by next Sunday we are reporting that she has started chemotherapy and we are actually fighting the disease and not just masking the pain with medication. We will stay at the Vanderbilt-Ingram cancer center until they determine if the chemo is working properly. Our prayer has now shifted from finding what is wrong to finding the correct medication that kills this disease and allows Afton to live and recover.

Despite the terrible news about her condition and the immense pain she is now suffering, We have watched miracle after miracle take place as the proper doctor’s have been able to make room for her. We have also been accepted to stay at the Ronald McDonald house so that Sheri and I can trade off having a good nights sleep. The nursing staff here at St. Dominic’s has been so attentive. Jean and Sandy, you are angels.

Our LDS Church family as well as the entire Vicksburg community have been truly like family. People have literally taken our other children into their homes and treated them like their own. People have driven us home when the exhaustion was so overwhelming they thought we would not make it home safely. The Vicksburg Ward, the Jackson Stake, the Hattiesburg Stake, the VSA swimming team, the Warren Central High School faculty and Big Blue Band leaders as well as the Bowmar Elementary school faculty have been astounding in their love and support. We literally have had hundreds of people come to the hospital room to wish Afton well. Thank you for taking the time to come. I think the nurses on the 4th floor at St. Dominics have never had such a commotion as so many people have come to wish Afton well.