Are you sitting down?

Well, we have more news, the kind that none of us want to hear. The cancer has also spread into Jeanne's brain.

I do not expect you to get over the shock of that news quickly. We have not. But, once you have, then you may be better able to read the rest, and feel the same sense of hope that we have.

As you may recall, from the last posting, the CT scan revealed that the cancer has spread to Jeanne’s liver. She also underwent an MRI on Thursday to scan the brain for cancer cells. We found out on Friday that there are three cancerous areas, the largest being 1 centimeter. The doctor believes that due to the small size, and the limited number, that Jeanne is a good candidate for a procedure called Radio-surgery. Basically, it is very focused, precise radiation aimed at the cancerous areas. He seem hopeful that this will shrink, or eliminate, the cancer in her brain area. This procedure will likely occur sometime in February.

It will be performed in a Portland hospital, not sure which one yet.

We also will likely be going to a doctor in Seattle for a consultation, but do not have a time frame, yet.

In the meantime, Jeanne will continue with the chemo-therapy each Thursday. Her appointment yesterday went well. She is not feeling too many side effects due to precautions she is taking, some lifestyle changes, and the number of other medications available. In general, Jeanne feels ok. In her own words, she does not feel that she has cancer.

We do not know where this odyssey will take us next. But, we do know that wherever it goes, we are in God’s hand. We thank you for being there with us, too. Keep praying, hoping, and loving each other.