introduction

Many of you know how the Todd Family feels about journeys. We try to keep an eternal destination always in view, while focusing on finding joy in the way we choose to get there. We are so grateful for the knowledge we have about where we want to ultimately be... in the presence of a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who made it possible for us to achieve that destination. We have been sent to this earth to see if we can reach our potential, becoming all that Heavenly Father wants us to be. Sometimes the journey back to our Heavenly home takes us through wide, gentle paths and sometimes the road is treacherous and unknown. Regardless, we feel that with every step we take, we should be looking for the beauty around us... learning from our fellow sojourners and relying on the maps that were provided to us to get through. Sometimes it is easy to happily skip along, but often we struggle, wondering if we will make it, and recognizing in the end that we can do hard things that we would have not previously thought possible. These are often the stretches of road that bring the most joy... the difficult ones. We have recently found ourselves on “a road less traveled” and, since we can’t turn around, we have decided to find joy in the opportunity to go there... to become better for having trod this new path. We hope that none of you will have to take this route, and can instead experience the vistas through us as you follow this blog. Here we go... Remember to enjoy the journey!


Thursday, January 3, 2013

What a Ride!

One year ago today Derek had his colonoscopy and we felt relief to know that there was a very real reason for why he had felt so horrible for the previous 5 months.  The gastroenterologist's initial diagnosis was Crohn's Disease, but he did say he had sent off a biopsy of the mass in his colon just to rule out the possibility that it could be colon cancer.  He assured us the chances of that were extremely rare and that he would be very surprised.  Our thought was "Colon Cancer?... Of course it is not colon cancer!" We were hopeful that whatever it was it, it would now be possible to treat it and Derek would be able to finally start feeling better.

As we all know, two days later we got the call about the results of the biopsy.  I will always remember sitting at our desk across from Derek as he wrote on a pad of paper between us: COLON CANCER.  As the doctor explained that we would be hearing from other specialists and proceeding forward with treatment for cancer, not Crohn's, Derek and I just looked at each other with raised eyebrows and shrugged shoulders.  And so it began... the emotional and pivotal year of 2012.

I can't say I was sad to see it go a couple of nights ago.  I look forward to a fresh new year... even though, in the end it could turn out to be just as hard or harder than the last one. If so, that is okay. We have learned that with hard things come blessings!  That said, I will admit that looking back on the beginnings of our wild ride started to make me feel a bit melancholy and ill.  I decided to remember instead that it was a January 3rd, eighteen years before cancer, when Derek and I went on our first little outing alone together to get hot chocolate. Thinking of hot chocolate always makes me feel happy and drinking hot chocolate is even better!  Since Derek and I typically commemorate that beginning of our romantic relationship with a yummy cup of hot chocolate, I am looking forward to a quiet, warm moment yet to come!:)  It's all about perspective, right?

The update on Derek is that we don't know anything new, but he has thoroughly enjoyed feeling better and not having to undergo any chemotherapy treatments for the last two months.  It is nice to not be constantly at a medical facility being reminded of a yucky diagnosis.  He has popped in for blood tests a couple of times and will see the oncologist next week to discuss the results.  We are just watching for slight indications of change, but hoping for steady numbers and more time.

The kids are doing great!  Christmas was lovely.  We spent a week away from home, visiting Derek's parents in Texas and some Colorado friends as we traveled to and fro.  We continue to be grateful for each of you and the time we spend with family and friends is such a treat.  Happy New Year to you all!

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