Merlin Smith

After enjoying an amazing trip to Oregon in October Merlin begin complaining of his stomach hurting when he ate.  After one trip to the emergency room in mid November where he was diagnosed with acid reflux we felt confident that there was nothing seriously wrong.  However a couple weeks later the pain was worse and I took him back to the emergency room. This trip and an X-ray revealed cancer in his right lung.  After more tests we were shocked to learn he also had stage 4 liver and lymph nodes cancer.  He also has cancer in the bones in his mid spine.   We are starting a Caring Bridge web site in an attempt to keep family and friends up to date on his progress.  So far he has had one set of Chemo treatments (He does 3 days of chemo and them rests 18 days)  and he has tolerated it very well.  He starts his next set on Dec. 31.  We are doctoring at the Cancer Center at St. Francis hospital.  The staff is amazing and we feel very well cared for both medically and personally. We wish to thank all our family and friends for the expressions of love and especially for their prayers.