Dear Ones, things have changed even since Thursday, and we wanted you to know so you can be praying accordingly.  We were expecting to start radiation this week, but found out last Friday that the doctor wanted to delay it a week because things were more “complex” than he initially thought, and needed more time to map out the treatment plan.

I talked to the doctor this morning and he explained it a bit more.  In studying Thursday’s scans, in addition to the mid-spine mass, he found two additional areas of chordoma that have to be shrunk to control the pain and prevent serious debilitation.  So Dale will be getting radiation in three areas:  mid and upper back, and upper left shoulder.  He’s now scheduled to start March 10.

In addition to this, over the weekend Dale started experiencing significant equilibrium problems, making it difficult for him to walk without holding on to something.  The doctor is hoping that’s from the spine issues, but we’re not sure.

This afternoon we saw a pain oncologist at UNMC, and we were so pleased to learn she has some experience with chordoma.  She changed all of Dale’s pain meds to more specifically target nerve pain.  He’s only taken one pill so far, but it seems to be making a very positive difference.  What a j0y to see his face relaxed and not grimacing with pain.

We are SO blessed with wonderful medical professionals who are doing everything they can to make Dale comfortable.  They are very hopeful at this point that they can alleviate some of his excruciating pain through the change of meds and the radiation.  But please realize all our decisions now are about Dale’s comfort, not getting rid of the cancer.  They’re hoping to just slow its growth a bit.

Please don’t despair about this news … we’re not.  Obviously there’s some sadness involved, but we have found more joy and victory during this seemingly horrible time than I can even express.  We have grown so much deeper in our relationship with our Lord, and He’s proved Himself faithful in every way.  We’re filled to overflowing with His goodness and mercy.

So just pray God’s best - that His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.  That’s more than enough. 

Love, Jill

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”  Philippians 1:20 (Dale’s life verse)  I love the next verse as well, and SO expresses my Dale’s heart:  “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”