June 5, 2014

So, today was filled with lots of therapy. Physical therapy, speech therapy, retail therapy Just kidding. All that was purchased was lunch at McDougal's Chicken. It was tasty. The speech therapy and physical therapy was real. I am sure that Sheri and Afton will indulge in proper retail therapy at a later time. In all seriousness Afton is doing better. She is eating like herself, talking more like herself and acting like she feels a ton better. They are reducing the pain medicine one step at a time as her body allows it. That is good. She has said that because of all the pain medication, she does not remember much of last week. I wish I could forget it as well.

Despite all the great news from this morning, the reality of what is involved in overcoming cancer is daunting. The cancerous tumors are still wrapped around many of the nerves that control her leg and mouth movements. She is up and walking, but with great difficulty. The doctors say that many times the tumors are re-absorbed into the body and disappear completely. Other times, the tumors leave behind scar tissue that, while no longer cancerous, can significantly impact the bodily systems where the scar tissue remains. The shrinking is good, re-absorption is better. I'm praying for re-absorption.

In addition, she still has a minimum of 29 weeks of an intense chemotherapy regimen in which her immune system will be continuously compromised. This means that even small and seemingly insignificant illnesses can be deadly. Getting back to a normal routine, including school this fall, will be a challenge. We are so lucky, however, to have a fantastic high school principal, teachers and coaches who have already promised to work with us on helping Afton complete her senior year. Thank you Warren Central High School for your support. We do not know how soon Afton will be discharged, but at least we are talking about it. That is good.

We have had a chance to meet some of the other families on the floor with us and hear their stories. I am inspired and heartbroken all at the same time. These kids are amazing in their determination to overcome cancer despite the massive amounts of pain and difficulties they face. Some of these cancers are truly scary. I pray that pediatric cancer research will receive the same attention as some of the adult cancers so that better detection procedures and better treatment options can be developed. While we feel blessed that Afton is responding so quickly and so well to treatment, cancer still impacts far too many people with dire consequences.

I still can't thank you all enough for being interested and concerned about Afton. I was talking with one of my co-workers on the phone yesterday and he indicated that he had no idea how he would handle what we are going through. The reality is that no one, including Sheri and I, knows how they will handle such a situation until it comes. We have just tried to move forward one day, or sometimes one hour at a time. Having so many people remember us in their thoughts and prayers has made this nightmare infinitely more endurable. We have felt of your strength and are buoyed by your faith.

Thank you.