Its been 143 days since Marie walked into the doctors office to check up on some unusual bloating she was experiencing. I am young enough to say that there are few memories that are so etched into my conscious. It was a Hot Wednesday, I drove to see Marie at the doctors office on my lunch break. It was enough time to learn that something wasn't right when the doctors started scrambling to get Marie additional scans and checkups... everything changed very quick from there on. Looking back to that week is still scary thinking about how quickly our lives were turned upside down. Everything that we considered normal came to halt, all plans stopped and everything was flipped upside down.

At this point we were, and are very grateful for the immediate support of family and friends who rallied hard and fast to make sure we could prioritize Marie's, the kids and my care... there are no words to describe how much we have appreciated the support and love to our family. Saying that we could not have done it without you all is a gross understatement. We love you all!!
God knew we would have this need and it was amply supplied in his perfect timing. We have been in the States long enough to be part of a small local community that have been generous in love and prayer. Our Church have been a blessing and we have felt there support and its power of prayer for the wellbeing of our family. Family and friends have sacrificed time with their family and finances to care for us! Thinking abut the cards and notes we have received I think we have received prayers from people on every continent and from multiple countries and States.

In all of this we can say that despite suffering God has been good to us and comforted us in our times of need.

On Friday the 31st Marie and I made a trip up to Milwaukee to have what we hoped would be the last battery of tests. Marie had a PET scan, blood draws and Bone Marrow draw. With my work I have not always been able to be around to see Marie have to have these tests done - it was hard to watch someone you love put aside personal fear and press on. I am proud of her perseverance!
These tests were part of the final steps we hoped to make in this walk with cancer. The PET scan would look at any growths / tumours that might be in her body. The blood draw is a normal a regular procedure to monitor cell distribution in her blood stream. The bone marrow draw would be to look at the presence of any cancer cells within the bone marrow - this is typically where they will identify cancer cells in patients diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. The bone marrow draw was a rough test to watch! I have significant respect for marrow donors!!
Then we went home and waited for what felt like a lifetime!

Thursday 6th we both went back up to Milwaukee for the results. We went up a little earlier so that Marie could have some blood drawn... again. We had a quick breakfast in the café which was gifted to us by one of the doctors who jumps in front of us to pay! Nothing more said and she went on her way!
Then we waited, both of us nervously talked about the kids and some for the new things they are doing to make it through the waiting time. Both of us nervous for different reasons and too scared to talk about it.

Dr H walked in, and upon Marie's admission to being nervous he nonchalantly said "there's nothing there" … cool as a cucumber as if this wasn't the biggest deal. He went on to explain the results and explain that they were as good as they could be. Unfortunately there is no 100% - but if this cancer doesn't come back within the next year she should be all clear. This was the best news we could receive and we didn't react like I thought we would - I think maybe we were just overwhelmed and tired. 
After we met with a couple of other doctors and nurses for some final blood draws and her pick line removal we wandered home excited and almost cautiously optimistic. It was an unusual feeling for both of us to see an end to something that has been all consuming in our life.

We were excited to share the news with family and friends and we loved them sharing in our joy. Caleb and Hannah didn't quite understand it fully but there was a realization for Hannah later in the evening. Hannah noticed that Marie's pick line was gone and with sincere concern asked how Marie would be able to get her medicine. Marie explained that she won't need to take any more medicine because they could not find the sickness in her. Hannah, arms wide open, and with all drama exclaimed "oh Mommy, you're all better!" and wrapped her arms around Marie in innocent and pure joy.

Marie will be staying on a low dose of chemo supplied orally which is part of the trial maintenance program. She will have to go see the doctor every month for blood work and check ups. She will no longer require scans because if she has a relapse the speed of this cancer will display symptoms before a scan will see anything.
So for now we will start to rebuild... recovery for Marie will take anywhere from 3 to 12months. We are not sure what it will look and we will take it slowly to maximize Marie's recovery. 

The JOY of Marie's results highlights very clearly that the Lord was faithful to all of your prayers and requests and that we can rejoice that He heard and answered YOUR prayers.
1 John 5:14-15
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.