Stay Positive

{JaNece Editor} Where do I start? Lots has been happening with Jack and so I'll just catch up in one post. Several months ago Jack had a visit with the Dr. The report said that his lymph nodes had enlarged by 20% which could mean several things: the cancer is spreading, or he is fighting an infection of some kind (cold or something). He hadn't been feeling well and has lost some more weight. We all thought the worst and things were looking down. However, he had a scan 6 weeks later that reveled that the cancer hadn't spread and actually SHRUNK!!! It was only .01%, but it shrunk!!! We were all thrilled and excited. It gave us new perspective and even more reason to stay positive. It's easy to get down, but after we have experienced yet another miracle we will not give up hope. Jack still gets up early every morning and goes to work for the city. He has a million projects he's working on and is as busy as ever. Prayer works and we are so happy that the news was good. This is a picture of Jack pointing to his name which was written in tar by his workers. Everyone loves him!!!

Here's to HOPE

{JaNece- Editor} As you know, our Dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer over a year ago. He is fighting it and getting treatments through a clinical study with the Huntsman Cancer Institute. We feel so blessed to have him in our lives and cherish our moments and memories with him. My awesome sister Mindy (who runs like a mad woman) is running a race for The Huntsman Cancer Institute to raise money for cancer research. Here's what she has to say:

{ Hello friends! I have an opportunity to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute which has helped my Dad fight his cancer. I'm running a race in August for the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the money I raise will go directly to cancer research. I'm so excited to give back to this amazing organization which has helped my family so much, and could someday help yours too! I hope you'll look the website and give - even if it's just a little. If each of you donate $5, I will meet my goal of $500. Thanks for considering! I know that this is not feasible for all of you, and I completely understand that. But I wanted you to have the opportunity. :) Thank you!!! Sincerely, Mindy Hymas }

Everyone is affected by cancer. Whether it is someone in your family or someone you know, we can all do a small thing to help fight it. Here is the link and here's to HOPE!!!

http://www.huntsmancancerfoundation.org/netcommunity/forjack

One Year Ago

One year ago doctors had some very bad news.

We didn't know what would happen.

We didn't know what to do.

We didn't know if there was anything we could do.

We were scared.

Yet what we didn't know was that 2 superheroes had emerged.

Out of the ordinary.

Two regular people who had superhero strength hiding inside of them

waiting,

until the world needed their powers.

One year later, we're celebrating superhero mom and dad.

For their strength, and their hope, and their miracle.

MOM has become a cancer expert, food nutritionist, healer, and most important of all

hope guru.

When we had tears, she battled them with

hope we hadn't dared look for.

She took our fears and asked us to be stronger than that

and pray for a miracle.

Do we dare?

Us?

An ordinary family - ask for a miracle?

Superhero Mom said yes.

So we did.

And we got one.

Just because we dared ask.

My DAD is tough.

Not your ordinary "my dad can beat up your dad" tough,

but tougher.

He had to look death in the face.

He had to have the courage to say,

"Nope. Not me. Not yet."

And then he had to deal with that Every. Single. Day.

Even though his body had betrayed him.

Even though his mind knew the odds.

Even though it felt so unfair.

And he did that. Every day. And his body rebelled. He felt sick. He felt weak. He felt tired. Yet every day he got up. And maybe he went to bed early, but he got up. And continues to get up. Every. Single. Day. That takes superhero strength.

And so here we are a year later. All together because really my parents are superheroes.

They knew we had more memories to make.

And so we are.

Yet again, a Miracle!!

{JaNece editor} I'm not very technical with medical terms, but to summarize ... Jack went in on Friday for his CT scan. The results came back on Monday and it seems that the cancer is still not spreading. It's not growing and the tumor that is there seems to be slightly shrinking. I know cancer is a nasty thing, but for now it's such a miracle and blessing that he is doing so well. He cut back on the dosage awhile ago (which has lessened his side effects) and it seems to still be working! He hasn't lost any more weight and is feeling pretty good. The doctor was very happy and it's great news!!!!!!!!!! So, thank goodness for clinical studies, time and miracles!!!