Update: January and February

Hey everybody,

I realize it has been quite awhile since I have posted any updates on my health and all that jazz, so I think it is about time I do that.

Over the months of January and February we have visited both the Cleveland Clinic and UPMC (Univ. of Pitt Medical Center). There is a specialist we are now seeing in Pittsburgh who is a member of a foundation dedicated to the research of the types of tumors that I have. We have been down to Pittsburgh twice and will continue to see doctor down there as he is very intrigued by my case. We also visited the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion on the possibility of additional surgery.

Here are the recent developments:
1. My health has been on a steady incline over the past month as it seems that the radiation is finally wearing off. No more morning sickness, shaky hands, and constant nerve irritation as well as the welcomed return of my energy and appetite. There are still lingering effects, but nothing near to the degree that it was.
2. As confirmed by each doctor we've seen, surgery is a no go. At this point it is still to risky with the damage that radiation caused and with all the nerve endings down there. But this isn't a big deal to me right now in light of bullet number 1.
3. As of my latest January brain scan, whatever it was that the doctors had been worried about has cleared up... to the point of which my doctor in Pittsburgh called me a "puzzle, in a good way"
4. Due to the above change, he is investigating and researching some other possibilities to try to figure out what has been going on up there in that brain of mine (good luck, lot's of people have been stumped by what goes on up there). <--- Joke
5. Game Plan: Chill and continue to do P/T and head back to Pitt. with some new MRI scans in 3 months.

All of these developments have been incredibly encouraging. While I take them soberly understanding how quickly things can change, I am rejoicing in the partial restoration of health and the much needed energy. Thank you for your support, it has pulled me and my parents through some of the rougher stretches.

*** Also ***
For future reference, no news is good news from my front. I'll be sure to update the blog in the case of any substantial changes, but in the meantime it is my goal to begin blogging fairly regularly about lessons and challenges that God has put on my heart to share with everyone. Blogging is a very effective way for me to process things that I am learning and new ideas or concepts to me. So if your interested, journey over to my other blog! (http://itsmyjoy.blogspot.com) I'd love for you to read some of these thoughts and give feedback through comments if you are able. Feel free to add to my thoughts, bring up other implications or even challenge something because I guarantee that i'm never going to see every angle of an issue.