Richard Volz Richard Volz update

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. 


The beginning...
Back in January, Richard began feeling pain in his upper leg/hip area.  He first thought it was just a pulled muscle, but when the pain (and swelling) worsened, he thankfully sought out his doctor's opinion.  The doctor thought it was probably a hernia, and recommended a CT scan to see the extent of the trouble.  But the scan didn't reveal a hernia, and the next step became a biopsy of the tissue.  The biopsy results revealed that Richard has Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.  As with any cancer diagnosis, we were shocked.  And I'll admit I was a little angry.  He already has MS, and now this?  Turns out MS and lymphatic cancers, both auto immune diseases, often go hand-in-hand.  Really?  We received this news the eve of a highly anticipated spring break trip to San Francisco, so we decided we could only do one thing...go and have a great time together on vacation.  Being busy, together, was good for us as we processed the news as a family.  


Inevitably, we had to come home and get started on bashing this cancer.  We learned he has Stage 2 cancer, which is highly treatable with chemo and radiation.  His recommended plan is 2 rounds of chemo (which equates to 4 infusions of the chemo cocktail spaced 14 days apart), followed by another PET scan, followed by radiation.  The doctor is very optimistic this plan will resolve the cancer.  We are very optimistic, too.  Richard feels (as do I) a great peace that all will be well.  We have great faith that God is aware of our needs.  We are fasting and praying for a healthy resolution.  We are VERY GRATEFUL for the outpouring of love and concern from family and friends.  His employer has been amazingly supportive....encouraging him to prioritize his health; only working when he is able to.  I'm sure you can imagine the relief and security our family felt after his employer's compassionate response to this challenge.


This is going to be a journey of learning....learning to handle ups and downs, dealing with good days and bad days, and patiently submitting to the lessons we've been sent to earth to learn.  Richard is a fighter and very strong willed.  He's got an amazing attitude and is ready for battle.  Please keep him in your prayers.  We truly appreciate every heaven-ward appeal for his returning health.