It’s been awhile since we’ve posted an update. Christmas was wonderful for our family this year, and life has moved at its typical pace for us as we have dashed to a crazy high number of appointments this month. Not a lot has happened, but enough has happened to completely change everything for us.

Scott was diagnosed with cancer Monday afternoon. It’s prostate cancer, which is known to be highly treatable. But it is, sadly, more advanced and more aggressive than we had hoped for. Not as advanced and as aggressive as it could be, and still very treatable and we are so thankful for that, but still a disappointing report. Treatment options are not all that great, and the risks for permanent side effects are high. We’ve known for several weeks now that this would probably be the diagnosis we would get. Somehow, it was still very hard to hear the news when it came right down to it.

We are continuing research that we already started several weeks ago and zeroing in on a treatment plan. If we go the route we think we have chosen, we will need a lot of support from those around us. We will be facing some impossible hurdles as we enter this new chapter in our lives.

Learning to ask for help has been a long journey for us — and me, especially. God has led us along many paths over the years as we genuinely tried to figure out what He expects of us in this area. And He has taught us a lot as our understanding about this has gradually evolved.

It’s still not an easy thing to do, but it’s more natural than it was in the early days. As part of our training, He continues to lead us into desperate places where we really have no choice but to reach out to those of you who have offered your arms for us to lean on. And it’s been a beautiful thing. Humbling, and painful as he revealed pride still lurking in our hearts, but so beautiful.

So in the coming days and weeks, we may be pretty openly sharing specific needs and areas in which we will ask for your help. We were already facing some possible very major surgeries for a couple of the kids and the ongoing search for answers concerning the pain in Nathan’s leg and back. We don’t, yet, see how we can carry one more thing. But as we keep reminding each other, God has already written this part of our story. He will guide us through it. We will keep you posted as pieces fall into place.

I have shared more about what’s going on in our hearts and in the hearts of our children on my personal blog. If you’d like to read that, you can click on, And Sometimes the Little Things Are Big Things.

Before we close, we want to urge all men to be diligent about having DRE’s and PSA levels checked annually. And if your PSA begins to rise at all — even if it’s still in the normal range — see a urologist about having a biopsy done. We understand much more about prostate cancer now, and we realize that we should’ve taken this step at least two years ago. This is especially critical if there is any prostate cancer in your family. There is a strong genetic component to this cancer, and having one close relative with it doubles your chances; two relatives increase your chances five-fold; three relatives increase your chances to 97%.

Thank you for praying for us. We need that so much right now. So much.

A picture of Scott being Granddad this past weekend