Thirteen Point One Miles, and a "Pre-Op" Consultation

On Sunday, March 21, 2010, DJ participated in the "Wine Country Runs" of Paso Robles, running 8:18 average splits in a Half-Marathon.  Go, DJ!

On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, we consulted again with DJ's surgeon.  I asked Dr. Bolivar, "Are you SURE that I am unallowed to watch the cancer-in-the-colon-ectomy, because it seems very interesting?!?".  Dr. Bolivar is certain that I am not allowed.  Oh, well.  The rest of the news is good, in that the results of the blood tests and chest x-ray that the surgeon ordered caused him to tell us, "Everything seems normal".  Which makes for a somewhat non-eventful post to this blog, but farily good news regarding DJ's health and well-being.  :-)

The surgery is scheduled for April 14.  We are going on a family vacation this next week, to what we hope is the sunny land of San Diego (although I hear that cloudy weather and rain may be in the forecast).  But please don't rob my house - friends and family will be coming and going while we are away!

Happy spring!  Thanks for reading!  xoxoxo from HollyB

The Diagnosis and Pending Action

an update on our family: dj has had some discomfort in the lower abdominal area for 9-or-so months. his medical doctor suggested that he rest from exercising for a time, which dj did; but the pain still is there at certain times - especially when he sneezes. at a repeat appointment some weeks ago, dj's medical doctor ordered a CT scan (performed in early february) so that he could get a view; after which he sent dj for a colonoscopy (performed monday, march 8th) because he saw some suspicious stuff (and even though the discomfort seems to be like a hernia, at this point it's not determined to be so). the diagnosis is that there is cancer in dj's colon, but that it is "treatable and beatable", according to the surgeon with whom we have consulted. dj has no symptoms, he is not suffering, and we are thankful that the little hernia-like pain led the MD to a CT scan and to a colon scope so that this could be discovered sooner rather than later!

dj has been scheduled for a cancer-in-the-colon-ectomy on wednesday, april 14.  the surgeon plans to remove the nearby lymph nodes as well as the part of dj's colon in which the tumor is residing, plus a margin; then he'll put the remainder of his colon back together. dj will spend some days recovering in the hospital, and then some time recovering at home. the cancer will be sent to pathology, and then if need be we'll meet with an oncologist for more advice.


the great thing about it all is that the peace of God which transcends understanding is guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus! dj is not particularly looking forward to the surgical procedure, but neither of us is anxious or worried or stressed out. our children are informed of the status, but they seem to be weathering it all very nicely.  life in the bigelow household continues "as normal" - the family circus continues!  :-)

if you feel so inclined, please pray that God will be glorified in our family and our lives and our bodies, that we will not worry about anything but pray about everything, and that dr. bolivar will be completely successful at removing the cancer from dj's body.  if you feel further inclined, please pray that the cancer has not spread to other parts of dj's body and that no therapies (i.e. chemotherapy or radiation) will be necessary.  if you are still desiring to pray for us, please pray that our children will grow in love and kindess toward each other (that doesn't have anything to do with dj's cancer or surgery - just the dailies of life! i thought i'd slip it in here :-)

as much as possible, i will use this blog to keep ya'll updated about our "status".  please know that "it's all good" right now.  God's grace is abundant; we are blessed beyond measure; et cetera.

the end,  for now.

p.s.  no comments, please, regarding my use of long sentences, which some misdiagnose as run-ons, but in fact are not.  i like punctuation!  thank you for your time :-)