Hi everyone,

This week as been ok. Monday, I met the radiologist for the first time. Very nice and organized. I had a CT for mapping on Tuesday. I got my first visable tattoos, but sorry, no one gets to see them! They are very small and I can't tell the difference between my freckles and the tiny dots. Then I had a chemo class with the nurse. She told me everything that I'll be taking and how the port works. Tomorrow, I have a PET scan and Friday the surgery for the port. Monday, I start chemo at 2pm and radiation at 3:15. The Radiation is only for about 15 minutes a day, M-F and the chemo I'll be carrying with me for the next 6 weeks. The surgon I am with is heading up a clinical trial that is sponsored by UCSF. It is to determine the best time for surgery after treatment. I am in the fist group. What that means is I will be having the normal treatment for 6 weeks, then 6 weeks of rest, then surgery. The second group (of 4 groups) will have the same except adding two more treatments of chemo and then surgery 4 weeks later. Each group pushes out surgery to see if it's better to wait for surgery and do more chemo. Being in the clinical study is good or me because I'll have extra eyes following my treatment, and that is always good.
I won't have the results of the PET scan for a few days so I'll update when I'm done with the port surgery and have more news. Thank you all for the prayers, cards, gifts, calls and love I am being lavished with. It is truly a blessing in my life to have so many friends and family who care. God bless you all, and if you haven't already had one, get a colonoscopy done now!!

Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

Hi Everyone,
I had the endo-rectal ultrasound today as well as two other procedures. As it turns out, the doctor said it looked like one lymph node was suspicious and the tumor had penetrated past the third layer of the rectum into the fatty tissue. So he is putting it at stage III now. The treatment is still the same. We were hoping no lymph nodes were involved but that doesn't' change that fact that God is still in charge. He never changes. Tomorrow I have an appointment with the oncology, and Monday an appointment with the radiologist. Then I'm still scheduled for the port or vap as the doctor calls it, for next Friday. Finally, October 2nd I think I'll start treatment. All my treatments will be in Concord. So, I'll be driving up to Concord Monday-Friday for the next 6 weeks. The kids and Casey are all doing fine with this disease so far. Ups and downs, but that is to be expected.
Proverbs 3:5&6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight.

HI
Ok, so here is the latest update. I went for the results of the MRI to the colon/rectal specialist in Concord. He said it didn't seems to have spread to any lymph nodes, or any organs. He is thinking it is stage II but you never know until surgery and the nodes are tested. But so far so good. He is going to do an endorectal ultrasound either this week or next to check the wall depth of the tumor into the wall. The MRI wasn't clear enough for him. He also wants to stain or tattoo the tumor to get it ready for radiation. He will also arrange for a port to be installed for the chemo. Once this is done, I will start chemo and radiation for about 6 weeks. Then I'll wait for about 6 weeks, have another untrasound done and then laparoscopic surgery. I'll recoup from surgery for a little while then I will probably have another 4 more months of light chemo. Sounds like a like but I'll be fine because of all the love, support, and prayers from so many people.
Psalm 62:2
He only is my rock and my salvation; my stronghold. I shall not be greatly shaken.

Hi to all my family and friends,
Thank you so much for all the prayers, cards, gifts and love you have shared with me. You all are so appreciated!! THANK YOU!
This weekend I was in LA for my brother-in-laws wedding. It was a nice wedding and good to get away for a while. Tomorrow I will get the results from the MRI I had last Wednesday. Hopefully I will have the stage of the cancer so I can then move a head. I feel like I've been going in slow motion this past week waiting for doctors and tests. My appointment is at 4pm so please keep me in your prayers that is a low stage. Thank you and I'll update tomorrow night.

Love to all
Matthew 21:22
And everything you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.

HI
Well, I went to the Oncologist on Friday (September 8th) and he referred me to a rectal/colon specialist in Concord. That appointment is not until next Monday the 18th of September. From there the doctor should set up for a procedure called a endorectal sonogram. This is used to stage the cancer. Between waiting until next week for the appointment, to having the procedure, to going back to the doctor to review the test, it could take up to 4 weeks, which is way too long to wait. So tomorrow, I'm going back to my primary doctor and requesting a plevic MRI. This will also work in staging. Then I plan to go with the results (hopefully) next Monday to the specialist so he can stage me. From there I'll know what the next step is. Boy, am I trying to learn the system fast. You really have to be pushy and let them know what you want and what is best for you. They don't seem to know or have the time to look into it for you. Thank you all for so many prayers and love you have sent my way. This would be so hard to manage without all you guys being there for me. Above all thank you to our Lord for being with me every step of the way. The new verse I'm trying to put to memory
James 1:2-4
Consider it all joy my brethern, when you encounter various trials; knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing

HI everyone,
Plans have changed. I went to UCSF yesterday for a second opinion. It was recommended not to have surgery until I have chemo and radiation first and have the tumor staged. That is done through an MRI which I will have next week. I should have about 5 weeks of chemo and radiation, then 6-8 weeks of rest, then off to surgery to remove the tumor. I sure am learing the ins and out of having an HMO. Plus, it is very important to go for a second opinion. It changed the entire course of my treatment for the good. As for all the prayers and concerns, they are lifting me up so much. I can't thank you enough for all your prayers and love you have shown. God is so good to me, that through all this I know I am really blessed. This verse has been with me through all my test, scary times and down times.
Isiah 41:10 so do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. This is so true to me because I am being so uplifted. I will keep you all posted at to what the next treatment is. God bless you all

Hi everyone, I am in need of prayers. On Wednesday, Kyle will have a knee operation to replace his ACL and remove the damaged parts of his miniscus. He will be out of commission for many months and won't be able to do sports of any kind for about a year. Also on Wednesday, I will be going in for a CT scan for a tumor that was discovered last week during a colonoscopy. We do know it is cancer but we don't know the extent of it. I pray it has not spread and that is what the CT scan will tell us. I know everyone knows what's happening. I feel so lifted up with prayers. It's amazing! God is so good and comforting. I feel fine....I just try to think about Him and my family and not the cancer. I'm not too worried about the surgery. I'll be fine I'm sure. see you soon Jill
September 7 Update From Lorette, Jill's sister. Kyle is recovering well. He seems to be just bouncing back. Jill is going for more tests, a second opinion, and many more decisions ahead.
Thank you for your continued prayers for the family. Our hearts are all with Jill and her family.
Feel free to post your encouragement for Jill and the Family.