The Night Before...

The night before a surgery like this is an interesting moment. It's almost like we're back in slow motion, similar to when we first found out about Alex's tumor. It's been almost 2 months and it's odd how it's still surprising to hear the doctors talk to us about Alex's condition. When Dr. Linuti confirmed the biopsy results this week there was absolutely no reason for me to be surprised as it is exactly what we had thought all along. Still, I suppose some naive part of me was almost hoping he would say that upon further examination the mass is actual a candy coated gum ball and if he drinks this magic elixir it will dissolve and all will be normal again. Soon enough, I know, normalcy will come.

A quick word about kindness that I have to share. There are so many reasons to be overwhelmed right now and overwhelmed we certainly are. We are tremendously overwhelmed by the immense kindness we have been shown in so, so many ways. I honestly could never put into words the vast range of thoughtful, genuine kindness we have had the honor of receiving. The type of kindness that reaches far beyond simple manners & gestures. Here in Boston, the doctors and nurses have been such a comfort and Alex's cousins have been more of a support than I'm sure they realize. Although time has been limited to short visits, those visits have provided such a fun escape from reality that only they could provide. At home, it has come in every possible form-- Heartfelt outreach from our church, friends welcoming our kids into their family lives and even sweating over projects at our home, and of course our family dropping everything to be interim full time parents to our 3 little girls. Most meaningful are the prayers we have been offered. There hasn't been a friend or family member that hasn't reached out to us in sincere kindness and for that, our gratitude is immeasurable. We are truly blessed.