Thursday, March 12, 2015

This Man

 This is David.

He is my loving husband.

He is a Father to Eric, Michelle and Michael.

(l-r Billy, Michelle, Charlie, Jane, Miles, Eric, Michael, Jackie


 He is a special Papa to Charlie and Miles

 He has been an ordained Lutheran Pastor for over 40 years, now retired.

 He is a friend to many people.
He loves to fish.

He loves convertibles

He loves the Steelers and the Penguins

He loves the beach!!


Which is why we moved to Delaware in August, 2014

And now, six months after our move, David has been diagnosed with cancer.
A tumor at the Esophagogastric Junction.
(where the esophagus and stomach meet)
He was diagnosed 2 1/2 weeks ago and our lives have been a blur since then.
We have had scores of Doctor visits, lab testing, procedures and education meetings. As of this moment, he is scheduled to begin chemotherapy and radiation, concurrently, on March 23, but that might be subject to change. The Doctors here have been great. There has been much to coordinate and they want to get started as soon as possible. We have no time to waste. After he completes his course of treatment, they will evaluate to see if he is a good candidate for surgery to remove the tumor and involved lymph nodes, if they have shrunken properly.
This will be the fight of our lives and we getting ourselves armed and ready!
We have family and friends all over the country, praying and cheering.
We are being comforted with the faith and belief that no matter what happens, we are safely in the hands of our Heavenly Father.

I thought that I had finally gotten to the point where I could resume blogging and participating in swaps. It's amazing how your life can change in a moment.
Priorities have been all rearranged.

I am sharing this here today, because my friends in the blogging community have always been the most supportive and loving people I know. 
May I ask you to keep David and me in your prayers?
I will keep you posted on the progress here and while I am spending lots of times waiting while David has his chemo infusions, I will try to get around and visit my favorite blogs. 
Thank you in advance for your understanding and support.

xoxo
Joyce

27 comments:

vivian said...

I will continue to keep you and David in my prayers. Im glad you posted about it. I had a feeling you would. big HUGS to you and you truly can count on my prayers.
xoxoxoxo!!!!
vivian

Leslie G said...

I'm sorry to hear this. I will keep you and yours in my prayers at all times.

Erica of Golden Egg Vintage said...

I'm so sorry to read this tonight. :( You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Bigs Hugs!
Erica

Lisa said...

I am so, so sorry to read this. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

marie said...

So glad you decided to share this here on the blog. The more prayers the better! Speaking of prayers...mine continue daily.
Love the photos you shared...well except for maybe the one with the Pittsburgh Jersey! : )
Much love to both of you!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I will certainly keep your hubby and you in my prayers. My sister has cancer and will have her surgery April. She had chemo & radiation too for 6 weeks. It is nice that you shared as your blogging friends do care!
Sending you my prayers and hugs.
warmly,
deb

Createology said...

May your family, faith, friends and fellow bloggers all rally with Prayers and Healing Energy for David, yourself and your entire family as you travel this journey. I believe your positive spirit will help keep you strong Joyce Dear. Loving Hugs and Blessings...

Davi said...

Joyce, Im sorry, not the sort of new you want to hear for sure!! I will add David and you to our list my husband and I pray over each evening. Hugs :)

Unknown said...

It's difficult to comprehend the level of struggle you're both experiencing right now. Keeping you both in prayer in the challenging moments that lay ahead.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Dearest Joyce, I will certainly be lifting your husband and you up in prayer. If there is anything else I can do please don't hesitate to email me. Love you, dear friend. Twyla

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Oh Joyce! I am so very sorry. Thinking of you both and your family, sending love and prayers and hugs.

Linda said...

Such beautiful pictures of your husband! So much love and so many prayers surround you both. Including mine! xox

agravette said...

I'm praying for you and David.

Bev said...

So sorry to hear this about David. I know you are strong and will be strong for the both of you. Your in my prayers. xo <3

Unknown said...

I love that you are getting armed and ready for this battle. May God hold you both in the palm of His hand every step of the way.

Primitive Seasons said...

What a loving tribute! Go David and Joyce!

Patti said...

Thank you for sharing. You and David are in my prayers. You both are in His Grip!

Linda said...

I just came across your blog today. Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. Your photos are lovely, and I am so sorry to hear this. I will keep yourself and Dave in my prayers. God bless you and your family.

uplander said...

My dear Joyce, You and David will certainly be in my prayers. I expect you two to have many wonderful years together in your new home and with your family. xoxo!

South City Hues said...

What fabulous pictures. Many healing prayers and hugs being sent your way.

Debbie said...

Dear Joyce...my heart is with you & David & your family. I'm sending lots of positive healing energy your way.

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...


Dear, dear friend. I'm just now reading this today. We were back East in DC helping with our new grand baby. My heart is heavy. But it sounds as if the Drs. have a good game-plan. Stay positive and know that SO many are praying for you both, including me.
Xoxo,
Mary Lou

Jenny's Heart said...

You are in my prayers!

Linda said...

Such wonderful pictures Joyce. I'm sending warm hugs and good thoughts for both of you.

Jenny's Heart said...

Happy Resurrection Sunday, I hope today is a good day for y'all.

Linda said...

So sorry to hear this, I understand how hard his journey will be, but you have a lot of good people on your side. Esp the most important one - Jesus. God is good, he will take care of you both.

Createology said...

Sending along Prayers and Healing Energy and thinking of you and your family. I am checking in and wanted to send you a special Hug!

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