Aloha

Morgan's trip to Maui, Hawaii was fantastic! She was able to put her worries behind her and enjoy every moment in Maui. She snorkeled in Kapalua Bay, rode horses through Honolua Pineapple Plantation and surfed at Maulaka Beach. Watching her surf was a thrill for Kevin & I. At first she wasn't sure she could do it but once she got out into the water she worked it out. Snorkeling was probably her favorite part. The water is so clear that you can see the exotic fish and sea turtles easily. On Friday night we went to the Old Lahaina Luau. It is a traditional luau. The food was great and the hula dancers were beautiful islanders. Again we say a big THANK YOU to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Cincinnati Golfers for
Charity for making Morgan's wish come true.

Now that we are home, we must begin a series of doctors appointments. Tomorrow she meets with Dr. Tiao and he will explain the proceedure for her lung nodule resection. Then on Thursday morning she has to be at Children's at 6:15 am. The procedure is to begin at 7:45.

My prayer is that this nodule is benign. As soon as I get results from pathology, I will update this blog. Thanks for praying...............

Surgery Update

Update: Children's Hospital was unable to coordinate Dr. Tiao and nuclear medicine for Tuesday, instead the surgery has been scheduled for Thursday July 2 @ 7:45 am.

This will probably mean that Morgan will not get to go to church camp as she had planned and she will be very upset about that. She has ask us to postpone the surgery until after camp on the 10th but her oncologist will not agree with that and neither will her parents. Her health comes first----Lord willing, she can go to camp next year.

Test results

Dear friends & family,

Just as Morgan's sweet vacation to Hawaii is about to get underway we recieved some news yesterday from her oncologist that we were not expecting. Morgan's CT Scan of her lungs revealed a mass. This mass was not there 3 months ago. The timing of this news is unfortunate. Morgan kept a brave face yesterday but last night she cried and admitted to us that it is going to be very hard to enjoy her trip knowing what lies ahead.

As of today, our plan is to take the trip next Monday, return on Monday the 29th and then Tuesday 30th Morgan will go into surgery to remove the mass. My quess is that we will know on Tuesday whether or not the mass is a turmor.

My prayer is that this mass is benign but ultimately I know it is God's will and not mine. Please pray specifically that Morgan can somehow forget about the lung mass and enjoy her vacation and also for the strength for my whole family as we face uncertain times.

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in ME you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world."

Golf Charity

Morgan had a great time last night at the Vineyard Golf Course. She drove around the course for a half hour before the banquet. During the banquet Morgan spoke to the group. She told them why she chose Hawaii and expressed her appreciation for all their efforts in raising the money to make her wish come true. It was truly an evening she will never forget.

June, a busy month

June is going to be a busy month for Morgan. She finishes school this week, which means saying goodbye to her two wonderful teachers. I have been very impressed with their teaching and Morgan's ability to focus for 2 1/2 hours at a time with all the distractions going on in the house..... the dog barking, phones ringing and two brothers going in and out.

Next week Morgan will be at Children's Hospital for her follow-up PET Scan, X-ray, CT lung Scan and bloodwork. She will have these on Monday and be in the clinic Tuesday to see her oncologist. I am dreading it but I realize it is a necessary evil, so to speak. She will not be allowed to eat on Monday until all testing is complete and it usually takes all day. Morgan will do fine until we show up for the clinic visit on Tuesday. Just the smell of being on the 5th floor at Children's will bring back a lot of anxiety for her. Please pray for her next week.

On a happier note, Morgan will be traveling to Hawaii on June 22!! This once-in-a-lifetime trip is being made possible by the Cincinnati Golfers for Charity. They will host their annual 100-hole golf challenge this coming Friday. There will be a banquet following the golf challenge where Morgan will be the quest of honor. This charity raises money specifically for Make-A-Wish. Every year they sponsor the wish of a child that has battled cancer.

It is a deeply moving experience when people that you have never met reach out and do something so spectacular. We thank God for all these generous people and we thank God especially for you and your many prayers that have gone up for Morgan.

1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.