Dylan Update

Wednesday afternoon we got the results back from the biopsy. Dylan has a Grade 2 astrocytoma. They found more tumor cells than they were expecting but it is NOT malignant. So that is good news. However, they want to start chemo on him. Because he is so young, is already showing symptoms (shake in arm) and because they also think the tumor is in a weak state they think chemo will help to shrink or possibly get rid of it. They want to start chemo sometime during the week of June 8-12. We go up this week to meet with the oncologist to discuss all our chemo questions. We don't know how often they will do the treatments. All these questions will be answered this coming week.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. We can really feel the strength of your prayers. That probably sounds dumb but it is true. I believe it is the only way that we are dealing with this. To show that prayers are answered, when they went in for the biopsy they were originally only going to get 2 samples. But when they got in there they got 3 samples. The first 2 samples didn't tell them anything it was that 3rd sample that showed them everything and allowed them to properly diagnose it. We have been praying that we could properly diagnose it. That was an answer, and also how well he has recovered and with how well the biopsy went is another direct answer.

My intent isn't to be preachy however I got to say what I am seeing and tell y'all thanks.

Many people have asked us what they can do to help us out. Keep praying. Pray that we can get rid of this tumor with the chemo. Pray for his strength during chemo. That's all I can ask for. I don't know what else we need. Everyone keeps asking and I keep saying, "I don't know, just keep praying for him". That's the only thing I can think of. There have been people who have just given us stuff, to you a special thanks. Like I say I don't know what we need but we appreciate whatever. A lady in our ward brought us a travel bag that had cookies, crackers, treats, and 2 magazines. I would have never have thought to give something like that, but it was perfect. While we sat in the waiting room we read through the magazines and munched on the remaining snacks. We had a friend give us more money than they should have even considered given for gas money and food. Thanks so much. We have one neighbor watering plants and another one taking our trash out. Every little thing helps out so much.

We are simply amazed by the support system and the kind, giving people in our lives. We are quickly realizing that we are bad friends and neighbors. I don't know that we would have done all these kind acts. In our house the words "I love you" now have a stronger feeling involved with those words. We are seeing things a little differently. It's got me thinking why have we waited for something like this to happen to open our eyes?

To answer that question, "What can we do to help?" For us, keep praying. But more importantly love a little deeper. Make the words "I love you" have some feeling involved with it. Be a better person. Be the friend or neighbor that does stuff. There is someone around you that YOU could do a kind act for. Don't sit on your duff and do nothing, but if you get the idea to do something do it! Some people are going through some bad stuff and aren't as fortunate to have the support system that Tara and I have. Be that support system. Take their garbage out, buy them a travel bag, if you can give them some money. I can't emphasize how much it will help that person out. We have a lot of shoulders to cry on, but someone else might not. Be that shoulder others can cry on.

Don't wait for some tragic event to happen in your life to open your eyes. Open them now. Take the time to spend with your family. Be a better person, be the one that cares.