Met with an Oncologist today and will be meeting with another one on Monday to see what options we have. Some are more aggressive than others so we need to understand all we can. No matter which one we go with it looks like Mary will be starting Radiation and Chemotherapy within the next week or so. We know God is in this and will give us peace about which way to go. Because Mary is strong and young for this grade of cancer she can handle and aggressive treatment. Continue to pray for Gods peace on us in this time of decision making. Mary's medication will be going through some changes so pray it all goes well.

October 25 2006

Met with the Dr. today. He has refered us to two different Oncologists. One at Swedish Medical Center, and one at Rocky Mtn. Cancer. We have a meeting tomorrow at Swedish and are still waiting to get an appointment with Rocky Mtn. Cancer. Surgery was ruled out because it would push the Chemotherapy and Radiation treatments out to far. The consensus with the University board was treatments need to start soon. Another surgery today would have pushed it out another 6 weeks and there wasn't enough evidence justify another surgery now. That is good thing. The surgeon told us again that this is unlike any other GBM tumor they have seen. Mary always has to be different. But the pathology was looked at my several Dr.'s and all came to the same conclusion, and that is the only true way to determine what a tumor is. We are still trusting God for a miracle and healing touch. And at the same time need to proceed with the Medical treatments. Mary is strong in both her faith and physically. Two important keys when looking at these treatments. We are trying to adjust to the waiting. That is kind of hard. She is still on the Dilantin and Steriods. Mary and the steriods don't get along to well but she is dealing with it. We will let you know when we know more.

Thank you for all you prayers and support in all the different ways you have shown it.

Bob

October 24, 2006
We heard from the Doctor today that surgery is not necessary at this time. We meet with him tomorrow to see what treatment options Mary has. It will be some kinda of Chemotheropy and Radiation. When and exactly what we don't know yet. We appreciate all the support and prayers we have recieved. We will update this when we know more. Please pray for clarity in understanding the options and wisdom to know how to proceed.

October 16. 2006

We went to the Doctor today to hear the Pathology report. It was not what we had hoped to hear but we know God is still in control. The results reveal that it is a Malignant Tumor called a Glioblastoma. The doctor will present Mary's case to the University Medical Centers board of Neurosurgeons on Tuesday October 24th. Mary will be going through both Chemotherapy and Radiation. The question right now is weather or not to go back in and remove more tissue and an edema around the original resection before these therapies. There is much ahead for Mary and we appreciate your continued prayers and support. Mary is strong and that is a big plus going forward. We serve a big God that knows us and cares about us more than we can comprehend. We will see God glorified through all of this.

Bob, Mary, Shannon and Danielle.

October 13, 2006

The visit to the doctor was postponed until Monday October 16th. He wanted some more time to evaluate the report and also to have other doctors review it before we came in. Keep praying.

October 5, 2006

Friends and Family took over the Surgery waiting room. Not only were most of the phone calls to the waiting room to check on Mary but the staff was surprised when Mary even received mail while in surgery. We can not even begin to express our appreciation for all the support. Surgery lasted about 2 ½ hours. Dr. Dixit came out and gave us a report as soon as surgery was over and came back out after Mary woke up in recovery. We were told before surgery that Mary would be in intensive care after surgery. God blessed again, Mary went directly to INCA and skip going to Intensive care. She was able to talk but very tired. She looked great. A few very short visits that day. Friday and Saturday she had a lot of visitors. Her recovery is going good and Mary came home Sunday afternoon. We are scheduled to see the Dr. on Friday (October 13th) to get the staples out and here the Pathology report.

September 30, 2006

While at a friends house Mary had another seizure. We were blessed to have an Emergency Room Nurse sitting next to Mary when this occurred. Mary was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. While in the ER at the hospital she had another seizure. Another CT and admitted back into the INCA (Intermediate Neurological Care Area) at Exempla Lutheran Hospital. The tumor had hemorrhaged. Always looking for the blessings we were told this made the tumor more defined and also moved up the surgery date. Now the surgery could be done without Mary being awake and was scheduled for Thursday October 5th. Mary came home October 2nd for a few days rest before surgery.

September 8, 2006:

While at a soccer game Mary had a seizure. While in the ambulance on the way to the hospital she had another one. She has never had one before and the last time she was in a hospital was almost 18 years ago when our youngest daughter was born. No other health issues since. After a few weeks of CT’s, MRI’s and other tests we have learned she has a Tumor on her brain. They call it a Glioma, more specifically an Astrocytoma. This is considered a low grade Tumor. The seizure was an early warning. The location of the tumor is the biggest concern. It is near what they call the “motor strip” The Neurosurgeon has given us our options and we are in the process of making a decision. We have been blessed with a lot of good friends and family around us. At the hospital while in the Neuro care the nurses kept bringing in the chairs from the nurses station because Mary had so many visitors. We just want to let everyone know what is going on and keep everyone updated. We have a lot of people asking what they can do, Prayer is the first thing we ask for. Besides that, there isn’t much anyone can do. Mary is going on about most of her normal activities. The only thing she is not allowed to do is drive for at least now. We appreciate any and all prayers.