Pathology results are in

Thursday night we were released to go home as we awaited the final results of the biopsy. We met with our ENT that afternoon to discuss surgery options and to meet him in person. Friday morning we met with our plastic surgeon to see what reconstructive surgery might look like for the future. Then friday afternoon, we loaded up the "blue limousine" van, and headed out towards Tyler for a quick weekend trip. On our drive out, we received a call from the oncology department at Childrens. They let us know our pathology reports were in, and that Hank has Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma... ARMS for short. While it wasn't what we had collectively been praying for, Taylor and I agree wight he doctors... that this is the best case of a "worst case" scenario. What I mean by that, is the Alveolar RMS requires a more assertive treatment plan, but Hank is incredibly healthy, the cancer has not spread, we have incredible doctors/nurses/staff/hospital, a HUGE support system, and we live close by the hospital. Most importantly, Hank is in the care of the GREAT Physician. It is hard to not see the multitude of blessings in the midst of this diagnosis. 

We head in tomorrow to start Hank on Chemotherapy around 9am. We'll also find out more of what the treatment plan will look like and meet our "team". Lots of unanswered questions still remain, but I have a feeling some of that will change tomorrow. 

I know a lot of you have been asking how you can help, and I am sure after we understand what life will look like for us/Hank, that we will have a much clearer idea of how to implement that help you desire to provide. I imagine much of it will look like babysitting, meals, and school pick-ups. But we will also need people to come over and hang out, play games, and pretend for a night that we are not the token cancer-stricken family. We will need some of you to cry with, but also some of you to laugh with. We might need you to come play wii with us while Hank recovers, and we may need you to leave us be for a bit. Prayers, of course, are always more than welcome... but for now, we ask people to please not offer advise on alternative treatments (This is a very rare form of cancer and the treatments Hank is about to receive are what we have given the doctors consent to do in order to give us back our Hank.), attempt to connect us with other survivors of cancer (we understand you mean well in trying to create a support system for us, but we don't want any false expectations and we need to figure out how WE can deal with this journey... not someone else's journey) or surprise visits (there may well be days we are simply not in the mood to entertain or be seen... so please call or text to set up a time to visit.) Now I must say that these are not in any way pointed at anyone specific. We know full well that you all mean the best for us through your actions and words. And we LOVE you for loving Hank and us... but it is overwhelming right now. We have barely had time to digest the news about our sweet Hank and we can't really make time to consider alternative options, connect with new people, or handle surprise visitors. So please know that we don't say this to offend anyone who has loved us enough to present these kind gestures to us, we are simply letting you know we just are not ready for them at this time. 

We would also like to take a moment to say thank you. To each and every one of you who are praying for Hank and our family, those who have given physical and financial gifts, and those who have given of their time to help. We would be lost without our friends and family. You have no idea how blessed we recognize ourselves to be. Much love, LL  

 I will leave you with a couple pictures of the fun times our little family had this weekend. :)