Update 4/4/11

Friends and Family,

Our God reigns. He reigns in sickness and in health. The results came much quicker than expected. There was a doctor in the room that was able to look at the tissue samples. They do appear to be consistent with cancer. There are some unknowns. They were a little abnormal for cholangiocarcinoma so they are not sure what cancer it may be (although it is most likely cholangiocarcinoma). They will send the samples in for tests and we will know what it is for sure. It also appears to have already spread to a lymph node. There aren't sure how extensively it has spread to the lymph system. Until they can give us more answers, we can not make many decisions.

Kendra and I are continually overwhelmed by the support of friends and family and it has really helped us get through this tough day of waiting. This will continue to be a huge need for us in the future. Please lift up our families in your prayers as well. Many great things can come out of this and we are trying to be obedient. I was able to have three really cool conversations with the doctor and two nurses after the procedure as I shared why I'm not concerned. That my God is in control, and I DO trust Him.

Emotionally, we are doing okay - but up and down. We will send out more information when we know it, which will probably not be until later on this week. We have felt God's presence in the last three days and cannot say thank you enough for your support.

Psalm 71

Update 4/1/11

Dear Friends and Family,

It is with an uncertain and heavy heart that I write you today. Many people know that I have been diagnosed with a very rare liver disease, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. I have been managing the disease and the symptoms have been almost non-existent. I see a specialist in Chicago twice a year. I did so on Tuesday of this last week. Everything was routine until they called me with the results of my MRI of my liver. There is a large spot on the bile duct, and a couple small spots on the outside of one of the liver lobes. This spotting is consistent with cholangiocarcinoma. This is a very rare and serious form of cancer that is linked to my condition. The potential of cancer complicates matters. My doctors and most others will not do a transplant once cancer presents. There is a possibility that Mayo Clinic would treat the cancer and then do a transplant. All of the treatment options ahead of us carry substantial risks and there are so many unknowns.

I will have more tests on Monday. If or when cancer is confirmed, then we will try to get into Mayo as quickly as possible.

Here is the good news. This is almost never caught until the very late stages. We're hopeful that it is in the very early stages, if it is determined to be cancer (it wasn't in the last MRI six months ago). My blood work last week was all very healthy and stable. Because of this the doctor was very surprised from the MRI. I feel very healthy and don't have any symptoms. There are some treatment options: Radiation, Chemo, Surgery, Transplant. Kendra and I are choosing to focus on these things and thank God that he has protected us in these ways.
Please pray for me and my family. This is a scary time and yet my God is just as faithful now as he was this morning before I knew anything different. I am confident that He is in control, and I am only to concern myself with honoring Him. Pray that God's will would be done and we would be satisfied with His will. Please pray that this is a false alarm and the tests would come back negative. Pray for peace and grace for Kendra, myself, and my family. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions. I will update you as long as there is something to update.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.