The last couple of weeks are hard to put into words.  Donnie was healing from a surgery that we felt would never be possible, and the outcome from that surgery was truly miraculous.  Then after 2 1/2 months of healing and slow but steady improvement, he starts to have some of the painful abdominal symptoms he experienced in December last year.   His pain increased very rapidly, and we both felt strongly it had to be cancer.

Donnie’s PET scan yesterday revealed he has cancer tumors “sprinkled” all over his mesentery (the tissue that holds your intestines in place in the abdominal cavity).  He does not have cancer in any of his organs.  He got chemo today in the hospital . . . the same chemo he was on previously that was very effective: Abraxane and Gemzar.  We are hopeful the treatment works well again for him. We are hopeful, like last time, he will be able to wean off his pain medications slowly but surely, as they cause him many undesirable side effects.

Don’t lose hope.  Despite the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer stage IV in December of 2014, Donnie is still with us 8 months later, which is pretty crazy wonderful! This in itself is quite amazing from a statistical scientific point of view.  Also, he has enjoyed his family quite a bit through that time.  God has a plan we cannot fathom.  We continue to do our best with the options we have, and let God do the rest.

Tonight, Proverbs 3:5-7 kept running through my mind:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”  I do feel this is the place where Donnie is residing.  He has trusted the Lord through very difficult times in his life, even through the death of his precious child Brett, and it has made his relationship with the Lord a stronghold in his life.  In times when many would “blame” God for a painful time in life and turn away from God, Donnie has chosen to use those times to become closer to God.  Donnie’s health situation is no different for him. He is at peace with whatever plan God has for him.  Of course, his positive attitude is a blessing to all of us who love him.

So Donnie continues to fight the good fight.  He remains in good spirits, ready to fight for a quality of life on this earth as long as God is willing.  I remain wholeheartedly in that battle with him, along with our entire McFarland/Sparks/Weaver/Fritz/Turner/West families.

Thank you for caring about Donnie and touching his life in so many wonderful ways.  All your outpouring of love holds him up and keeps him positive.  Love is very powerful!  Please continue to pray for healing, effective treatment, decreasing pain, and quality of life for Donnie.  We are forever grateful for your prayers!!

Love,  Donnie & Tina