Wednesday, May 6, 2009

So.


Cancer.

Infantile fibrosarcoma, which is, of course, extremely rare.
But also highly treatable, usually with chemotherapy followed by surgery. Full pathology results will be done in a couple of days and we will be making treatment plans early next week.

That's the affected shoulder, slung so casually over the armrest. Reuben reached six months on Monday, and I'm copying Elise (except with a wilde animal--thanks, Grandma & Grandpa Goates!--and, alas!, I didn't catch on until month #2).

This will be a very long story and, I hope, one that I will take the time to tell. Nathan has been encouraging me to write more and certainly I will need such self therapy. My head is spinning with so much information and emotion, but tonight? Tonight I can only come up with choppy sentences and a cautious optimism.

If you're the praying sort, we'll accept them, of any kind. If you're the good thoughts sort, I'm a believer, too. My personal theology doesn't look for a why; I just think these things are, and we work from there. I am spending the evening feeling a tremendous amount of empathy and love for this drugged up little boy on the couch next to me. "He's a keeper," I've been saying for months. We'll do our best.

Oh, and we're moving tomorrow. And it's Audrey's birthday--my beloved oldest will be eleven!

20 comments:

Christine Frandsen said...

we love you guys. wish we were still there.

Kathi D said...

praying praying praying

Cynthia said...

Wrapping you in much love from all of us.

gr8fl said...

i just love love love you and that little wilde one..lots of prayers for ya'll from all of A-A's

Kate said...

Oh, Valerie. You are in our prayers.

bluekaeru said...

I came hoping for good news. With shock, I will leave with positive thoughts for Reuben and prayers for all.

nyjlm said...

Oh Valerie. So many prayers and hopes being sent your way. I'm stunned.
Sending you so much love.

Unknown said...

My little guy is 2 weeks younger than Reuben so this hits close to home... My positive thoughts and prayers and good wishes are with all of you.

Heather Thomas said...

We love you. Of course we will pray.
PS- My cousin's little girl is just recovering from cancer, if you want to visit her blog.
http://mygranddaughter.wordpress.com/

Snippety Gibbet said...

I am so totally shocked. Absolutely floored. Talk about "not fair..."

I'm sending prayers your way right now........ jan

me said...

I love you Val, sending you positive thoughts and prayers your way.

Love,
Meg

Miss to Mrs said...

All of my good thoughts are coming to Reuben, you and your family. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It really breaks my heart.

Elise and Lane said...

Wow, so much going on in your little family right now! We are thinking and praying for you guys! And I love that your doing the monthly pictures too! (don't worry, I was usually a few weeks late on most of my pictures!)

amd said...

Sending our love to you and your family. As always we will keep your family in our prayers. WOW!! our girls are sure growing up too fast. JoAnna is turning 11 too.

Alyssa said...

we are holding your family in a big glowing light, love and hope.

cfm said...

oh he is such a little cutie! kita can't wait to meet that cousin!

Sherry said...

Oh Val, So sorry to hear the news about Reuben. He is definitely in my thoughts and he is a "keeper" as you've said. Please let us know if you need anything.

Anonymous said...

Praying hard.

Braden Bell said...

Oh Nathan and Val, I don't even know what to say. Except that we love you and your family and will be praying. And praying.

mo said...

Wow. He is in loving and very capable hands and I will pray that he , and you , come through this well and quickly.