May 9, 2018

I am currently in Houston, TX, typing away here wanting to share all I’ve learned today. I’ll start brief with the bullets and will then elaborate:

• No Genetic Component confirmed!
• Surgery set for Monday morning
• God is Good

As I was sitting in my CT surgeon’s patient room, I took a call from my genetic counselor. He quickly confirmed that there is no genetic component to this rare occurrence. As I burst into tears, I realized that I’ve been crying an awful lot lately. All my tears are stemming from good news received, so I can only praise God with and for each tear.

I’m returning to Houston soon with the hopes of a rapid weight-loss plan. If I had to guess, Ned weighs around 2 lbs. This won’t be the easiest 2lbs lost, nor the most fun, but one that I am looking forward to unlike any other 2 lbs in my life. Of every experience in life that has formed me to be who I am, including my marriage and the birth of each of my children, this one experience forcing me to consider my mortality and my faith has been the single greatest influencer in my faith development. Being a cradle-Catholic and one who’s practiced my faith since I can remember, it’s difficult to admit that though I could walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk, I never knew of my faith muscles until I was truly tested. Well, I’m in the midst of my test and hope that I’m making my eternal Father proud. 

Regardless of any number of outcomes that yet could be, God is good. May I never forget the love shown to me and always be the first to respond to anyone with the same love I’ve received. Thank you, all, for your continued prayers.