Back 40 Junction

A full tummy from a yummy buffet, lots of rocks, old trains, and attention from Uncle Jordan, Aunt Joy, Daddy, Mommy, and Zion. What more could a little girl want?

Cancer Update

Zach started Chemo on June 29th and has had two more treatments since then. He is scheduled for his fourth treatment on Monday along with a colonoscopy to see if the tumor in his colon is shrinking and to determine the condition of the rest of his colon. We are thankful that the anti-nausea medications seem to work well other then causing some annoying hiccups, so Zach has been able to go to work the day after his chemo. He is on medication through his port for 46 hours after chemo and a nurse has been coming to our house to unhook the needle. She taught me how to unhook it the last time she was out, so I am hoping to be able to unhook him myself after this treatment.

People often ask us how Zach is feeling. Over all he feels pretty good, but he does get tired more easily and is learning to stay home and relax more often. We continue to be thankful for God's help in our weakness.

A Great Surprise

When we arrive home this afternoon Zach and I looked out our back door to find an amazing transformation in our backyard. While we were gone someone worked hard to give us a backyard that we will enjoy spend time in. Zion and Moriah have a great big sandbox (to replace the one that was falling apart and needed new sand) and a cute chair and table set. I am thrilled with the new stone and plants around the back of the house and the potted plants on the patio. Our mystery guests also cleaned and sealed the inside of our fence (it looks much nicer), painted our front porch posts, mowed our lawn, and provided us with a steal fire pit. Such a wonderful surprise.

We are so humbled by all that people have done for us since Zach was diagnosed with cancer. We know that there is no way for us to repay all the people who have blessed our family over the past weeks, but we trust that God will bless each one greatly in eternity.

Bertsch Family Vacation

We just returned from a week at Lake Webster. What fun!!! Zion loved the sand, water, jet ski, and boat. Moriah enjoyed walking around and playing with her cousins. Zach and I played a lot of games and enjoyed a few books.

Family Photo

Happy Birthday Zion!

Zion turned three on July 15th. We had a party with the Rufener family on July 4th and with the Bertsch family on July 10th. I made Zion, Zach, Rob a monkey cake since Zion loves to see the monkeys at the zoo. Zion's favorite gifts are a tricycle from Grandpa John and Grandma Janice and a tool bench from Grandpa Mike and Grandma Carmon. He is also enjoying the candy he got. Zach and I gave Zion a few gifts on the 15th and I hosted a bunch of kids (and their moms) for a play date (Pampered Chef Party).

A New Journey

I started this blog to record cute tales about our kids and to share stories of our lives. Life continues to happen, but with it brings the busyness that has made blogging less of a priority. In April we sold our house in Leo, moved in with Zach's parents for over a month, and were thankfully able to move into our new house in Bluffton in mid May. We were just starting to get settled again when God chose to open our eyes to a new journey He wants us to take. A journey that we are thankful we don’t have to face alone.

On June 12th Zach had a colonoscopy and after the procedure the Doctor shared with us that he had found a large growth in Zach’s lower colon that appeared to be cancerous. On Monday Zach had a CAT Scan and then on Tuesday received the news that the growth was cancer and that the CAT Scan showed spots in his liver and lungs. We met with an oncologist in Fort Wayne on Wednesday the 16th and he ordered a PET Scan to verify the CAT Scan Results. Zach had to have a blood transfusion on Friday the 18th because his hemoglobin levels were too low. On Monday (21st) he had the PET Scan and on Tuesday (22nd) we met with Dr. Helft a specialist at Indiana University’s Simon Cancer Center. Dr. Helft verified that the cancer has moved from Zach’s colon to both his liver and his lungs, which means that Zach has Stage Four Colon Cancer. This type of cancer has no cure at this time, but we are thankful that there are chemo treatments effective in shrinking the cancer and preventing it from spreading. Research has shown that people receiving treatment for type four colon cancer live on an average of 2 ½ years and 1 in 8 live for 5 years.

Zach has an MRI on Friday the 25th and is scheduled to start chemotherapy on the 29th. Our hope is that the chemo will decrease the size of the tumor and also the pain that Zach is experiencing. Dr. Helft and his nurse are hopeful that Zach should be able to continue working and function fairly normally as he is given this first type of chemo. We are thankful to be working with medical professionals who along with being experienced in treating colon cancer have a great compassion for their patients and their families.

In the coming weeks we are hoping to be able to settle into a new routine. A routine that includes trips to Indianapolis every other week for chemo and tests every few months to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. We find our future very uncertain right now, but are thankful for the things we know are true. GOD is in control. HE will give us the strength to endure everything we will face. No matter what happens we can look forward to Heaven.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9