Meet Buster: My Big, Fat Tumor

-adjective
1. possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.
2. invulnerable to fear or intimidation: “audacious explorers”; “fearless reporters and photographers”; “intrepid pioneers”.
3. Archaic. excellent; fine; admirable.

-noun
4. a brave person
5. a warrior

–verb (used with object)
6. to meet or face courageously: to brave misfortunes.
7. to defy; challenge; dare.

Synonyms:
1. bold, intrepid, daring, dauntless, heroic. Brave, courageous, valiant, fearless, gallant refer to confident bearing in the face of difficulties or dangers. Brave is the most comprehensive: it is especially used of that confident fortitude or daring that actively faces and endures anything threatening. Courageous implies a higher or nobler kind of bravery, esp. as resulting from an inborn quality of mind or spirit that faces or endures perils or difficulties without fear and even with enthusiasm. Valiant implies a correspondence between an inner courageousness and external deeds, particularly of physical strength or endurance. Fearless implies unflinching spirit and coolness in the face of danger. Gallant implies a chivalrous, impetuous, or dashing bravery.

~ Good ole Webster dictionary~

Morgan~ our living picture of brave, courageous, valiant…

I am in awe~ and amazed everyday ~ at your bravery.  Your Courage!  I am so proud of you.  Everyday is a fight and you continue pressing on.  You inspire me!  I love you- Go Morgan!!

*****

It’s a roller coaster ride~ and it’s miserable !!!  … so much can change in a day.

He has been in the hospital since Friday, October 9.  He mentioned in a previous post how the week prior had been quite scary- he was very weak and had been very ill.  Friday he was picked up by a non-emergency ambulance service and brought to the hospital to start chemo.  He was too weak and hadn’t eaten much during that week he needed to gain strength and see what was going on before chemo started.

Monday rolled around and he was feeling better, had friends coming and wanted to get chemo going.  The chemo began.  He had a great week of chemo and was feeling well, received his last dose of chemo on Friday and Friday night went downhill quickly and hard.  His fever reached 103.5.  Morgan had developed another MAJOR infection.  It was very dangerous, but was caught and treated quickly and it is being studied further, but is managed again.  He is on an antibiotic, had a transfusion and he is gaining strength again.

His close friends Dan and Ben were here for the weekend.  They were able to have some good laughs and I know it meant so much to Morgan to have them in town and to be able to visit with them.  I was delighted to get to share in some of the conversation Sunday evening.  I really wanted to meet these friends Morgan talks of often.  They both have been so good to him and their journey together as friends has had influence on his life and shaped Morgan’s world.

In looking through my photos for a picture to post- I am amazed at how time has flown by- yet stood still.  I can’t believe it’s been four months- all that has changed and happened in four months.  And then I think our world has stopped- there is loss, pain, mourning this new life with cancer.  I need to unload for a moment.  Cancer Sucks!  It’s horrible!  Cancer is what has been tormenting Morgan for all these years.

I know that it was even worse than he led on because he isn’t one to complain.  We thought it was back pain from a fall.  It was cancer- that makes me SO MAD.  Cancer has been living inside of my brother- robbing him of fully LIVING.  He lost years to pain.  This diagnosis has changed us.  You live differently.  We have had to let go of expectations, making plans and celebrations have become so different in just four months.   We have had so many fun things planned to look forward to and they ALL have been rearranged or postponed.

I’m learning a new brave- outside the box.  We will press on and keep making plans!   We support your dreams and believe in your future Morgan!  : )

Tomorrow is a big day, surgery and some major changes.  They will replace his kidney stints and remove his urethra catheter to replace it with a suprapubic catheter out his belly.  This will be better for long term and it is believed will help cut down on infection.   In the next couple days his  (CBC) blood count will drop  and he will go into the neutropenic stage.  This is where his white blood cell count drops and it is difficult for his body to fight infection.

If you are our praying people~ here are some requests:

* Doctors in surgery * Chemo/PacMan eating Buster & friends * Morgan~ strength, hope, courage, faith, peace, comfort, FIGHT. * Kasha- see and feel our love and appreciation and that she would have continued strength, health, peace, comfort.  * Pain management * Continued favor with doctors and nurses treating and caring for him. * Wisdom, clarity for next steps.  * Protection during Neutropenia-NO Infections!  * our Mom’s~ loyal, faithful, loving and serving.  *

Morgan is brave- over and over again~ a warrior with enduring courage.

Thank you for continuing to journey with us ~ our faithful family and friends~ Team Morgan!    : )