May 7, 2010

I talked to Derek on the phone and he asked me to "update the blog so people don't think I'm dead". Life has been so busy that I've almost forgotten about this blog. Derek left four weeks ago (can it be that long?) for radiation and chemo treatments at PCMC/LDS Hospital. He and Dave have been staying at Aunt Jan's and Uncle Don's homes throughout this time. At this point, Derek has only 6 more treatments of radiation left (yay!), so he'll be done a week from Monday. After that last treatment, he'll begin his 9th chemo session. After that (around the 19th), he may be able to come home for a week or so.

It's been almost four months since we discovered that Derek had cancer, and during this time of emotional upheaval in our family, we have become more aware of the goodness of people. Our eyes have also been opened to the serious problems that many other people are dealing with. We've realized how true it is that we should "treat everyone as if they are in serious trouble, and you'll be right more than half the time" (Elder Henry B. Eyring).

During these months, we have felt a continual peace overshadowing our home. Although we're concerned, and our prayers have become more earnest, we have never felt panic or fear. We know there is a plan, we know that Heavenly Father is in control, and we have faith that He will do what is best for Derek. We believe, as Grandpa Payne would say, "Good will come of this".