Good News Today

We've been anxiously awaiting the results from Heathers bone biopsy last week as our future hung on by a infinitesimal thread- Stage IV or remission?  After several months of guessing games, I think we've come to the point where we try to rest in the moment as much as possible.  We made it through last week fairly well and had an almost normal few days, which was great though yesterday I was struck by an immense wave of sadness because I knew that the biopsy results would be back within the next few days and the possibility of Heather being terminal was very real.  I was morose, smiling politely at customers, but I'm willing to bet that my eyes betrayed what my forced smile was trying to cover up.  Talking to Heather later in the evening seemed to help and I was soon in manageable state of mind- enough so to do some yardwork.  
It's odd, but when the sun is shining, steak is on the grill, and your wife is happy, dark days fade away- and yet, they are never really gone, just overpowered by the happiness of the moment.  Anyway, today the clouds parted and we got some good news- the biopsy came back negative for cancer so as of 5/14/2012 Heather is in remission.  After bouts of excitment and unrestrained relief, we both know that it's time to buckle down and carry on with the mission- chemotherapy weekly for 12 weeks, both Taxol and Herceptin, then Herceptin every three weeks for a year.  Heather is a tough girl- she stood up to cancer and refused to let it take her baby, and her body bears the beautiful scars of a battle well fought.  We've fallen many times within the last few months, but the love and support of our family (yes, all of you who read this) has sustained us in our lowest moments.  Life goes on and we'll take it as it comes.  What else is there to do, but to live?   

Bone Biopsy Today

A quick update:
After two previous attempts, it looks like today will be the day of great success, as the bone specialist here at FMH will be performing a biopsy on Heathers spine.  The initial biopsy attempt was in Anchorage, the second was up here with a doctor that felt that waiting a few extra days would allow the current doctor to exercise his specialty and get the best results. 
Among the false starts and delays there has been a bit of good news- Dr. Cox reviewed an old CT scan from 2006 and found that the spot on her sacrum which was thought to be cancer was actually present in 2006, which leaves just one fire still burning, that in her spine.  Provided all goes well today, we should get the results back in a week or so, generally the results come back much sooner as the pathologist tests the specimen here in town, but they may have to send it down to Seattle instead.  Joshua is doing well but we both miss him very much.  He was scheduled to be transferred to FMH this week but still has some developing to do, his breathing is being supplemented with an oxygen flow of 6 liters and he should be down to 3 liters before he comes home to Fairbanks.  It pains me to leave him in Anchorage, as the Lower 48 air can't be good for him, but soon enough he'll be back in God's country ;)  Keep your heads up!