Well, we're back in Houston. This time only for 2 weeks so Jason could work and I could go in for my follow ups. I had labs, a CT, an echocardiogram, and meetings with my doctors. I may have told you this before, but I have very realistic dreams the few days before CTs. Usually they end in a negative result. So, while I don't feel anxious, obviously I am. Jason came down to Houston with Leia and left me in Southern IL as I had a death in my family. I stayed a week with my parents which gave me time to hang out with all kinds of family, do funeral things, and love on those around me. 

I'm happy to let you know that everything looks good. The CA 19-9 tumor marker is still virtually non-existent (which means no evidence of pancreatic cancer), labs looked good, CT didn't show anything concerning. The echocardiogram indicated that my heart is much the same as it has been (bummer), but also that my ejection fraction (EF) has increased from 24% to 28%. 4% better doesn't sound like much, but as Jason reminded me, if we keep increasing by 4% every 3 months or so, we're moving forward! I still have to walk very slowly, get up slowly and wait a second or two before taking off, not lift anything over 10 lbs, and get fatigued easily, but I'm happy that the EF has increased. I'll take whatever positive movement I can get. Lastly, my oncologist has decided that we can move out follow ups to every 4 months instead of 3 months. That's positive, too!

We leave tomorrow to go home and get to stay with my brother, Adam, and his family in KC overnight. We're excited to see them all. The kids (Wyatt and Harper) are looking forward to playing basketball with Uncle Jason and reading books and playing with Aunt Kristi. The adults are looking forward to hanging out, too, of course, but, as you know, the kids often take over the visits in the best way. We'll be home until August when we'll be coming back to TX for 2 weeks (working and medical follow ups), so I'm thrilled that I can actually be home for an extended time. 

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers, thoughts, texts, memes, messages, cards, and more. I can't tell you how much we appreciate you. 

Today's Song is "Bless God" By Brooke Lighterwood

Blessed are those who run to Him
Who place their hope and confidence in Jesus
He won’t forsake them
Blessed are those who seek His face
Who bend their knee and fix their gaze on Jesus
They won’t be shaken

Come on and praise the Lord with me
Sing if you love His Name
Come on and lift your voice with me
He’s worthy of all our praise

Blessed are those who walk with Him
Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage with Jesus
They’ll see His glory
Blessed are those who die to live
Whose joy it is to give it all for Jesus
And for Him only
Oh Jesus, all for Your glory

Come on and praise the Lord with me
Sing if you love His Name
Come on and lift your voice with me
He’s worthy of all our praise

Come on and bring your offering
Sing if you’ve known His grace
Come on and lift up your holy hands
He’s worthy of all our praise

Bless God in the sanctuary
Bless God in the fields of plenty
Bless God in the darkest valley
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Bless God when my hands are empty
Bless God with a praise that costs me
Bless God when nobody’s watching
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Bless God when the weapon’s forming
Bless God when the walls are falling
Bless God cos He goes before me
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Bless God for He holds the victory
Bless God for He’s always with me
Bless God for He’s always worthy
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Come on and praise the Lord with me
Sing if you love His Name
Come on and lift your voice with me
He’s worthy of all our praise

Come on and bring your offering
Sing if you’ve known His grace
Come on and lift up your holy hands
He’s worthy of all our praise

I’ll bless Your Name in the morning
I’ll bless Your Name in the evening
I’ll bless Your Name in the morning
Every chance I get I’ll bless Your Name

Come on and praise the Lord with me
Sing if you love His Name
Come on and lift your voice with me
He’s worthy of all our praise

Come on and bring your offering
Sing if you’ve known His grace
Come on and lift up your holy hands
He’s worthy of all our praise