My Dear Mother-in-Law

      At the conclusion of our vacation we learned some heart-breaking news that Spencer's Mom has been diagnosed with uterine cancer.  We found this out via a text message when we finally turned our phones back on once we reached Miami.  It was so frustrating being three hours ahead of our family because we wanted to call and find out what was going on, but it was just too early to call.  The news we were told was that Mom had been cramping and bleeding for a few weeks before she went in to the doctor (this is a woman who has gone through menopause, so those two signs were not good)!  After some blood work and CT scan it was confirmed that she does in fact have uterine cancer, but they are hopeful that with a full hysterectomy, and removing some additional lymph nodes, it will rid her body of the cancer.  Unfortunately, the doctor told her to prepare herself for the possibility of going through a round of chemo and radiation as well. 

      Her surgery was today, and it appears to have gone well.  She is doing fine and starting the process of recovering.  Obviously it's our hope that the cancer shows no signs of being in her lymph nodes, but we'll have to wait and see how it turns out.  We will know more once the lab gets a chance to process everything.  I have been very impressed with her attitude about all of this though.  There is no doubt that she is anxious, but she has also shown a lot of strength that I haven't ever seen in her before, and I know that strength comes from her faith.  She knows that God is in control and that He has a plan.  I strive to have that kind of faith too in my life, but its not always easy!