Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest
State Route 12, Utah
Our travel plans for the year have changed in the past few weeks. Our scheduled journeys to eastern Newfoundland and western Wyoming have been cancelled. Plans for a short jaunt to charming Quebec City in early December have been put on the “tentative list.” We’re embarking on a different kind of journey now. My dear, sweet Mr. Jim has been diagnosed with pancreatic and duodenal cancer.
The past month has been a blur, with our schedule filled with various doctor appointments and medical tests. The medical team now has enough information to proceed with a prescribed treatment plan. The good news is that it is being caught early. Jim will have some initial chemotherapy and then surgery will be scheduled later, probably in the September time frame. We are fortunate to live in a metropolitan area that has an outstanding university hospital. They opened up a new cancer institute last fall. One of the best oncology surgeons in the southeastern U.S. has been assigned to the case. And Jim knows that I will be traveling on the healing path with him!
Please keep him in your prayers. If you would like to give Jim any get-well wishes, please send them to me and I will ensure that he gets them. We’re big supporters of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so an honor card and donation at the St. Jude web site would be a very splendid idea. HERE is the link to their printable and electronic cards.
Thank you so much!
oh, donna. not a journey anyone can plan for, but sounds like you two are well-prepared - together. bless you both.
ReplyDeleteAll good thoughts & prayers being sent to you and Mr. Jim.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry to hear Jim is not feeling well, but am most hopeful that the doctors today can help when things are caught early. My prayers will extend to both of you, as the journey will be one you are both going to be taking. Remember to hug and snuggle often, and remember to look after yourself too, Jim will need you to be well. Know I think of both of you often, and send good vibes.
ReplyDeleteoh I am so sorry, I will keep you both in our prayers, such a blow, you have such a wonderful strong attitude, beast wishes,
ReplyDeleteOh Donna! I am so saddened to hear such news for your Jim! I will be holding you both up in prayer for stamina and healing...xo
ReplyDeleteDonna, so sad to hear news of your husband's cancer. But pleased that you have a top surgeon and institute, and are catching it early!
ReplyDeleteYou will both hate missing your travels, such a shame, but first things first I guess.
Prayers for you both as you travel along the new and different pathway.
Dearest Donna, we are shocked at this news and have been thinking of Jim, and you, constantly since reading this post yesterday. It's so hard to say the right words at times such as this. We know what you face as we are both cancer survivors and have helped one another through some tough times. BUT, that's the good part, we survived and we are now here to pray for and support Jim, you too of course, so are sending positive healing thoughts your way. Glad to know you have found great doctors and medical facilities in your area.....this is very important.
ReplyDeletePlease tell Jim how we will continue to keep him close to our hearts as he faces this journey and the return to good health........he can do it and I know you will be right there helping him remain positive in thought. Make plans for the future.......photo trips in 2014 will be fun!
Love to you both - be strong and know we're all pulling for Jim and you.
Hugs - Mary
I'm so sorry! I am beginning my prayers for you and Jim now. God bless you, I feel your pain. Sending love.
ReplyDeletePrayer and more prayers. For Jim, and for you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless and keep you both strong.
Love and hugs.
xoxo
Oh Donna I am so sorry! I'm not much of a prayer but I will keep him and you in my heart and in my thoughts. It sounds like he will be getting the best of care, and with that early diagnosis you guys will be traveling again in no time! {{Hugs}}
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Donna. I'm a big believer in the power of prayer so both of you will be on my prayer list as you go forward. Praying for healing and strength..hugs to you both...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your sweet Jim, but things sound promising and you are in an outstanding medical area!! You both are in my thoughts and prayers sweetie. You and Jim will be out and about in no time ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteMay God Bless and hold you both close as you follow the paths that this journey takes you. We love you!!
ReplyDeleteOh Donna. What a shock. Taking a deep breath here. Yes, of course, my prayers are with and for you both. We'll all be in this together...please know that...because we've come to love you both. The 21st Century is a wonderful time to be alive with all the new medical treatments coming on every day. You'll not be postponing your trips for long! Don't tell Jim this, but I think you should spoil him more. =D
ReplyDeleteOh Sweet friend.... I'm in shock too!!
ReplyDeleteKnow that we are praying and holding you both up, in love! Vee is right... Research has come SO far even in the last few years. He Can beat this....and we all are here for you!!!
(((((((Hugs)))))))))
Oh Donna, this is certainly not the type of journey I would want anyone to take. You and Jim both will be in my thoughts and prayers. It's encouraging that it was caught early and he has such good doctors taking care of him. Hugs to you both
ReplyDeleteDonna
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for your dear Jim.
I'm so glad you are blessed with such fine medical facilities there where you live.
Please keep us posted.
I'm praying for strength for you too, Donna.
((Hugs))
An unexpected, unplanned journey...and one that you'd not choose to travel...that is hard stuff. Be assured that you and your Jim will be in my prayers. I pray for His grace. I pray for His mercy. I pray that you are even able to find small joys along the way. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteDear dear Donna... My prayers will include you and your Jim. I'm so sorry you had to have your life turned upside down like this.
ReplyDeleteIf it is any comfort to you, I have a dear friend who has fully recovered from this very same diagnosis after surgery and chemo. God bless you both
My dear friends, I read this with a mixture of great alarm and great hope. I know the doctors will take the very best care of Jim. Best of all, I know you, Donna, will be right beside him, loving him, praying for him, and cheering him on. You KNOW you will both be in my prayers daily. I will ask the Lord to guide and comfort you both every inch of the way, and to give the doctors extraordinary measures of wisdom and skill. Still I am sorry this shadow has fallen across your lives. I hope dear Mr. Jim's suffering will be minimal and his recovery swift and complete. Love, Jenny
ReplyDeleteOh, Ms Donna... I saw your tweet today and had to come see what was going on. I'm so sorry that Mr Jim is sick. My prayers that he has great care and as painless as possible recovery. My prayers to you as well while you take care of him and travel back and forth to the hospital.
ReplyDeletemy heart stopped when I read the first paragraph; I know, only too well, what you're going through. you're both in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you both my sweet friend. I'll keep praying. With love, Diane
ReplyDeleteDonna , I am so saddened to hear this horrific news...and speechless for the right words to offer you encouragement...except knowing he will have the finest doctors and staff caring for him and give my prayers that he can he recovered and be comfortable. I am heartsick to hear this...feel free to call or write anytime...(((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteDonna, I missed this posting and am very sorry to hear of Jim's illness. I wish him all the best with strength, peace, and healing as he goes through the chemo treatments. It will be a tough road for you both I'm sure but God will be with you all the way. Blessings to you and Jim. Praying for you. Hugs, Pam
ReplyDeleteI'm just catching up after being away for a few days without internet. I'm so sorry to hear of Jim's situation. I am praying for both of you.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Oh Donna! I'm so behind on my blog reading. I just saw this this morning. You both will be in our prayers. Please keep us posted, as I'm sure you will.
ReplyDeleteSending big hugs and even bigger prayers your way
Lori
Donna, I am SO sorry to hear this news. In our short encounter last summer, I was so impressed by Jim's friendly, positive and open spirit. These qualities will stand him in good stead in his battle with cancer. I am so glad the doctor caught it early, and I will be praying for a quick and complete recovery. I hope that the treatment is as easy and comfortable as possible, and that you both will be peaceful during this new journey.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you both.
I am speechless and so taken back to read this sad news. Please except my heart felt prayers for Mr. Jim and you. God Bless you both. Hugs, LenZie
ReplyDeleteDonna, This makes me cry. I am so very very sorry... Life can certainly change in a heartbeat... I will keep Jim (and you) in my prayers. Glad they have caught the cancer early... I'll pray that he will be cancer-free SOON.
ReplyDeletePrayers and Hugs,
Betsy
Goodness! I knew I was out of the loop but I had no idea about this post until now. Donna I know this has got to be hard on you and Mr. Jim. I wish I could do more than pray but know that you do have those going up for you both. Stay strong my friend and I'm here if you ever need a shoulder.
ReplyDeleteOXOX,
Kim
Donna...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about this new journey! You both will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time!!!
Sending you Hugs!!!
Donna ....I am so sorry to hear about this unexpected journey! Jim and you are in my thoughts and my prayers! We know God is good!!!
ReplyDeleteSending you Hugs!!!!
Donna, I just followed posts back to find out that Jim is in the process of beating cancer. My prayers are with him and you on this journey. I have no doubt you will both be having a blast in Quebec City come December!
ReplyDeleteI'll make a donation in Jim's name to St. Jude's. They're the top charity I contribute to, for so many reasons.
Hugs to you both,
Donna
Oh Donna, I just discovered this post today. I'll be keeping you and Jim in my prayers! Sending love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteNita Jo