My Daddy's Hand.

My daddy's hand, as strong as ever, just like his faith.

I woke up this morning and prayed. Thankful for all the blessings that have come my way, my treatments are completely over! No more infusions ever again as of 4 weeks ago, next step reconstruction surgery this summer.  For right now, on to the next part of my prayer.  I prayed for my Dad. For his guidance, strength and peace as he begins his chemotherapy treatments today.

Crosses I passed in Broadview, NM.

A week after I finished my last treatment, my sister called me to tell me that Daddy's cancer had returned.  He had been in remission from non-hodgkins lymphoma for 15 years. Sylvia had Angie and I on 3-way and was telling us the information, I just handed the phone to Brian. I know most of you have seen me be so strong through my own battle, but hearing the news that my dad was going to have to start this fight all over again was more than difficult.  I was just there.  At the time we did not know what my dad was facing, now we do.

After a biopsy last week, of lymph nodes and bone marrow, we now know that it is the same type of non-hodgkins lymphoma that did return at a stage 3.  Just like before.  His bone marrow is clear.  Chemotherapy starts today, treatments will be every 3 weeks for 3 months, re-evaluate to decide whether to continue for another 3 months.

For those of you that do not know, my dad has been such a strong man in his faith for so many years.  He has served as the music minister in the Spanish Baptist Church in Tucumcari, NM for as many years as I can remember and as in interim Pastor for several also.  This to him is just like another bump in the road, he is just ready to get back to work and frustrated that something is getting in the way.  The Dr couldn't believe he was 77 when he was examining him.  I told him, "it's being a rancher that has kept him young".  My dad needs that strength right now.

I ask for your thoughts and prayers for my dad and mom as they start down this path together. (Lupe & Tomas Gonzalez) Brian was talking to me the other day and made a comment on how hard seeing your spouse go through cancer is.  I don't know, unfortunately both Brian and my mom both know how that feels.

There is so much I need to fill you in on, but I will do that in another post.  For now, I'll leave you with Blayr's prayer at dinner the other day "thank you for this food and I pray that Papoe will be a survivor". Yes,  Blayr that is our prayer.

Lincoln and Papoe waiting for tests at the hospital.
A Hug is all we need sometimes.