He's got the cancer.

Its the name of a friend's blog, a great quote from The Royal Tenenbaum's, and now its our new reality.

He is my husband, Matt.  I'll let you guess what kind of cancer he has... (google it.)

Our story is slowly unfurling, and several people have expressed a desire to be able to stay updated, without having to ask me (because Matt and I don't like to like to talk about cancer all the time!)  So instead of starting a Caring Bridge sight, I decided I would rather pick up my blog again.  You will find updates about Matt here, but you may also find my random thoughts on life, or my revelations about the love of God, or cute pictures of my kids.

I really look forward to honoring people who have blessed and served us over the last few weeks... so look forward to some biographies of my favorites!

But first I will update you on Matt and his cancer journey...

Mid-February Matt was experiencing some pain... what we thought was kidney stones or a urinary tract infection.  He went to a med-express type place on a Sunday morning, and they sent him on to the emergency room, feeling that he had too many symptoms to diagnose.  I met him at the ER, and after an (awkward) sonogram and (unnecessary) morphine, the doctor came in to hold my hand (also awkward) and tell us that it looked like cancer.

We have ended up with amazing medical contacts in Fort Worth, and were first referred to a urologist, Dr. John Johnson (the third.)  He sat down with us for a long time, and walked us through what he expected Matt's journey to look like with cancer.  It included an operation, some radiation and a great prognosis.  

Telling people was much harder than I expected.  Matt and I were able to have long talks with the doctor, with each other, and with the Lord, and so we felt very peaceful and comfortable with the road we were headed down.  But others were shocked and very upset for us.  We experienced such an outpouring of love, with meals, gift cards, and phone calls galore.  We were so blessed.

Matt was diagnosed with seminoma testicular cancer.  He had a surgery, and a few weeks later, a routine chest X-ray and  a CT scan.  The doctor did not expect to see anything, and so we did not worry or think much about it.  But he did see something, and after a biopsy, it was confirmed that the cancer had metastasized into at least two of Matt's lymph nodes.  This is highly unusual for seminoma cancer, but still very treatable with a great prognosis.

Again, we were blessed with great contacts, and ended up with the best oncologist in Fort Worth specializing in testicular cancer.  We feel confident in our choice for a doctor.  So far, we believe Matt will be starting chemo in the next week or so.  The treatment should last 3-4 months, and then another month or so until he is "back to normal."

How are we doing?  Some days great, some days are hard.  Currently there is a really funky smell in my house and clothes overflowing out of my laundry room.  Some days we have margin to play with our kids, have friends over, and enjoy and episode of New Girl at the end of the day.  And some days we are tired, frustrated, and just making it.  We are NEVER mad, or asking why.  We are confident that God is allowing this for His glory and that He is taking care of us every step of the way.  We are not forgotten.  We need Him, and we need you... our friends and family... loving, praying, and supporting us along the this journey.

So thanks for listening and caring thus far, and I will keep you updated as things move forward!