Paul Ginn

First post: Dec 20, 2016 Latest post: Sep 25, 2017
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Most of you know the story, some of you do not and I apologize for you finding out this way. I am going to share from Cheryl's viewpoint and you all can see how Paul and I differ (in a loving way) :o).  Our journey began August 8, 2016 when Paul went in for a colonoscopy secondary to symptoms.  He was barely out of anesthesia when we received the news...most likely a rectal adenocarcinoma.  Yep...cancer.  The big C word ;(  NOT the news we wanted to hear right before our wedding.  It took us a couple of days and the official pathology report to wrap our brains around what was about to happen in our lives.  We decided not to share the news until after the wedding so the day could be OUR day and not cancer's day.  We enjoyed the best trip of our lives in Isla Mujeres.  We returned from the honeymoon and hit the ground running...

A CT scan and MRI later we had a better understanding on what needed to be done.   Paul began five weeks of oral chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the tumor and "do away" with any other floating cancer cells (huge thanks to Drs Kandoori and Cheek).  That lovely process ended on November 2.  Paul was a CHAMP throughout this process.  He did experience some skin issues (to be expected) and a bit of neuropathy in his feet as well as blistering.  He even plowed through a college visit with Caleb to GA Tech.  I must say...it was the first time in our 6+ year relationship that I found him more fatigued than me!

November 9...we visit our wonderful surgeon at BUMC, Dr. Robert Jacobson.  I am READY to get this out of Paul.  Dr. Jacobson gives us the news that we will wait another 58 days until the surgery.  WHAT???  I about came out of my skin...words cannot describe how abhorrent (for me) that this is in Paul.  The dr. continues that the research shows  the results are better waiting as the oral chemo continues to work throughout this timeframe.  Well...it did.  His tumor shrank by 75% and his procedure tomorrow (12.20.2016) will be laparascopy.  Questionable nodes went from 4 to 2. PRAYERS WORK!!!

SO...here we are.  I shall drive my groom to BUMC and admit him at noon today (12.20.2016)  (and not for driving him to the loony bin) and his surgery is at 3pm.  We are asking for all the prayers, positive energy, whatever GOOD you believe in to be sent our way for the next couple of days.   Paul is the heart and soul of our family...my apologies for making this seem too terribly much from my viewpoint.   But you know Paul...he's very pragmatic and things are not about him.   THIS needs to be about him...he needs healing prayers, positive energy, the Force (nod to Star Wars...I am a nerd).  If you know me you know I am, for the most part, an emotional mess...lots o feelings flow through these veins and I feel EVERY one of them as evidenced with tears. 

In closing for tonight...this is truly the beginning of our journey as a married couple.  Something we never anticipated but shall tackle with love and faith.  We invite you into this journey as life should be side by side with those we love.   And you are here because you are important to us...you are our children, our family, our friends.  I would include Nugget but he cannot check his email without me so I am counting on the kids to clue him in :o). 

Love to each of you always...and thanks in advance for your prayers. They mean the WORLD to us!!!

P.S...Paul said he would NEVER get a tattoo.  Now he has THREE...well, three little dots on each hip for the radiation to line up the machine but I think he will cave and connect those dots with my name (imagine in BIG cursive letters!!!)  ;o)

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