The diagnosis...

The biopsy results came in and it turns out that my uncle has Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. 

Just so we are clear, I will post some information I got from: http://www.cancercenter.com/lung-cancer/stages/

Stages:

• Stage I non-small cell lung cancer: Cancer may be present in the underlying lung tissues, but the lymph nodes remain unaffected.
• Stage II non-small cell lung cancer: The cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes or into the chest wall.
• Stage III non-small cell lung cancer: The cancer is continuing to spread from the lungs to the lymph nodes or to nearby structures and organs such as the heart, trachea and esophagus.
• Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: The cancer has metastasized throughout the body and may now affect the liver, bones or brain.

Now as if this is not scary enough, they were denied emergency medical assistance so they have no way to cover the treatments for radiation and chemo therapy. They are trying to secure the funds for radiation to begin that first because it is the more important treatment at the moment. The tumors on his brain pose a greater risk than the tumor on his lung so they want to treat those with radiation before beginning chemo on the mass on his lung.

At this point all we can do is pray for the funds to find their way to my aunt and uncle for treatments. Then pray that the treatments work. It's a hard pill to swallow for me so I can only imagine how they feel. I am trying to be there for him in every way possible, but it is hard when I have two kids and a husband of my own. I'm thinking about starting some benefit sales to help go towards my uncles treatment costs. I also started up a gofundme account for them as well. 

Trying to think up some good ways to help them out with funding for treatments, but I'm drawing a blank! 

If anyone is reading this please say a prayer for him... for us,.. for funding... Just pray... 



http://www.gofundme.com/42fy80

Update via. my aunt.

My uncle is getting restless in the hospital, but who wouldn't? Seeing the same four walls day after day would get to anybody. He is still so optimistic, but says what are his other options? He said this has definitely given him a different outlook on life and he appreciates life so much more now. If anything good has come out of this experience it is that! To be given a good outlook on life and to build the appreciation of GODs greatest gift... life. As heartbreaking as this situation is, it has clearly brought us all closer as a family.

 

This situation has tested the strength of my aunt and uncles relationship, their love, and their bond as a couple. They have grown closer already in the short amount of time since the discovery of his tumors, which is a great thing! Especially if the worst does happen. I want their memories to be filled of good ones, not bad. I want them to enjoy every minute together and to be thankful for each other because GOD chose them for each other. She is his angel and he is her rock.

 

As for his biopsy results: We are still waiting for biopsy results, which we should get early Monday morning.

Here is an update via. my aunt:
Murray was transported to another hospital yesterday who has a neurological surgeon on board. ...They ran additional labs and scans. The new scans showed he has 5 tumors in the brain. They are all relatively small in size but all cancerous. One is affecting his speech and another is affecting his balance & coordination. He has a mass in the upper left lung. They will be performing a biopsy in the am to see if the mass is cancerous. Won't really know what the next steps are until the results come back from the biopsy. The plan so far is to see if radiation will take care of the tumors. If not then a surgery is planned for Friday. The doctor is very optimistic that this can be treated easily and he is optimistic that Murray has good chances of beating this. His optimism gives us hope and hope floats! Please keep us in your prayers for our finances as well. Murray had left his job in June because of some of his symptoms. Work was beginning to put a strain on him. So he has no health insurance. We have applied to every program the hospital has offered so we are hoping he gets approved for something. And now I am driving from AJ to Phoenix because he doesn't have a private room so I can't stay with him. So all our funds are going in the tank. Praying for blessing but just wanting prayers. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. This love & warmth amazes me





Here is a gofundme account set up for donations that will contribute to gas and cancer treatments: http://www.gofundme.com/42fy80

As HIS plan unfolds....

So here is a quick update!

First off! Yesterday they did not find a tumor behind his heart, that was  a misunderstanding! (Thank GOD!)

Here is what they DID find.

• 5 tumors in his brain. 
• 1 tumor on his lung
• suspected lung cancer

The tumors on his brain are all relatively small, but all are cancerous. They will be performing a biopsy on the one on his lung today to see if it is lung cancer. If it is, they are going to try radiation first depending on the biopsy results. He has a surgery scheduled for Friday as a precaution in case the findings aren't as good as they are thinking.

Here is the plan so far!

• Biopsy
• Radiation
• Possible surgery

Our strong man is doing awesome! His only complaints so far is they wont stop poking him, wont let him sleep, and are making him eat card-board like food. He is laughing and joking about the whole situation. He is keeping a strong face, which I think is good because it's really helping my aunt keep her spirits up! Also, the doctors seem very optimistic which helps A LOT. 

Now enjoy this poem that a friend sent to me. Thank you Sammie. <3 

Where is GOD when?

Lately I find myself wondering, "Where is GOD when I need him the most? Where is he when worlds start falling apart? Where is he when I really need him to answer my prayers?"

Yesterday I found out that my uncle has two tumors on his brain. When I read those words I just broke down. This man has been there ever since I was a little girl and I have grown so very close to him through the years. He means so much to me and I have never once told him that. He is like a second father to me, I have never told him that either. My kids call him Papa, they are convinced he is their grandpa... He loves that! This man has come so far from where he started out in life and he is an amazing person. I don't think he knows just how much I care for him, how much he has touched my life because... I have never told him. 

Yesterday I also found out that life is too damn short to refrain from telling anyone how they have impacted your life. I learned that the battles you face, the battles you think are too much, can be nothing compared to the battles someone you love faces. 

Yesterday I thought about his wife, my aunt, who has been there since the day I was born. Someone who truly is the second mother in my life. She is so much more than an aunt. She knows that! She knew it that day in Big 5 that I accidentally just called her mom while I was talking to her. Like it was nothing, I just said, "Hey mom! look at this!" It touched her heart, I know it did because she started crying. She is amazing and she loves this man so much. I know this is killing her. I pray for her to have the strength to make it through this with a strong face and a strong, forgiving heart. 

Today... Today I found out that they found two more tumors. One behind his heart and the other behind his left lung. I can't help but ask GOD why. I know he has a plan for my uncle. One that we wont understand and probably never will. Who am I to question GOD's plan? Who am I to question GOD at all? Yet I cannot help myself. There are so many things I wonder.. Why does everything start to fall apart just when they are starting to look up?

Today I got the answer to my question: "Where is GOD when I need him the most?"

He is carrying me. He is holding my hand through some of the toughest battles I have ever faced. Some of the steps I am taking have been the hardest ones of my life, yet GOD is carrying me with ease through these hard times.

I know he is carrying them too. I know he is by their side, holding their hands, and leading the way. I know he knows what he is doing. I know the only thing we can do is pray and pray hard. As hard as it is to believe, GOD always has a good reason for doing the things that he does so we just have to keep the faith and keep hope alive.