Cancer: Game On: Very Sad News

2 1/2 weeks ago Zach started having lower back pain. He attributed it to working out too vigorously and perhaps one too many rounds of golf (no such thing!!--says every golfer out there). We spent a week on the Oregon Coast at the family condo and the pain persisted. Massages and prescription pain killers did not offer any relief. This week, Monday and Tuesday were tough days for Zach. The pain began to radiate to his stomach. Wednesday was awful as he could not do anything to lessen the pain. Late Wednesday night he was in such excruciating pain that I decided the ER was our best option. After convincing Zach that I was not about to let him drive himself to the ER I called my mom who came over to stay with the little boys. In the ER Zach was given morphine and once that hit his system he announced "the party has started!" It definitely helped deaden the pain for a period of time. He was put through a myriad of tests and scans in the ER. It was a long, sleepless night waiting for the ER doctor to share the results with us. Finally around 4:00 a.m. we received some very tough news--Zach's cancer has metastasized to his liver and lungs. The cancer has also grown in his lymph nodes. The cancer has gotten smarter and mutated in order to survive in other areas of his body.

Ironically, Zach was scheduled for chemotherapy and an appointment with Dr. Dan early Wednesday morning. So we left the ER, came home to shower, then left again for MSTI. We discussed 2 options: seek out a clinical trail in Seattle or begin a new chemo regiment in Boise with a new drug (Ramucirumab) that was approved by the FDA in April.

Dr. Dan called today with some news. He has not had the opportunity to speak directly with anyone in Seattle yet. But through his research he was able to find a clinical trial there that he thought might benefit Zach. The only problem – the clinical trial has not yet opened. And no word on when that might happen. So tomorrow Zach will begin a new regimen of Ramucirumab and Taxol. 3 weeks on, 1 week off.

While Zach and I knew full well that there was a likelihood the cancer might metastasize at some point, it is surprising that it happened so soon. Zach is coming to the realization that he has far less time than he originally though. That is a tough pill for both of us to swallow! But God is giving us an incredible sense of peace. We both believe without a shadow of a doubt in God's promise of an eternity with Him. We are remaining faithful...regardless.

I've taken nearly 1,500 pictures since the first of July. And no that is not a typo. It was tough to narrowing them down. You've been warned.

The Ingersolls on the pier at the Oregon coast!

Love this little boy so much!

Beach selfie!

Max on the pool deck.

I turned my back only for a moment!

Lunch in Florence. I think Oliver might be the only child in the universe who prefers carrots and pickles over his main entree.

Zach and Oliver enjoying ice cream! It was a rare treat for all of us given Zach's healthy eating habits.

Kris and Mark.

Grams and Oliver hiking up to the Heceta Head lighthouse in Florence.

Max exploring his new home for the week. He is turning out much like his brother--busy and inquisitive!

Oliver and his loader moving some rock outside the condo.

Max and me walking around Florence. Miss wearing him on the front and kissing that sweet forehead but he is getting too big.

A rare shot--Oliver willingly holding my hand!

I enjoyed every minute of baby wearing this trip! Before I know it Max will be 18...and likely far too large to wear then :)

Zach and I snuck away for a hike and dinner while Grams watched the boys.

Once guess who was supposed to be sleeping at this very moment...

Zach and Oliver waiting to board the ship to do some whale watching.

Zach and Oliver enjoyed snuggling on the deck during the rough seas. We spotted 3 whales--well worth the rough seas and a slippery toddler.

Captain Oliver steering the ship into safe waters.

Max and his thumb were wide away for a very short time.

Whale watching is an exhausting task!

After 1 hour Oliver was ready to run around and get off the ship. Unfortunately the trip was only half over. Zach definitely earned his "daddy gold star" for wrangling Oliver.

My running route each morning.

Max!

Oliver and his puppy Douglass are reunited! We spent the first night in Bend to break up the long drive. We put the boys to bed at 6:30 which meant Zach and I also had an early bedtime. Oliver and Max were well rested and wide awake at 5:00 the following morning. It was a crazy morning of spilled milk and flying eggs at breakfast followed by Oliver locking himself in our hotel room. Alone. Who knew the kid could deadbolt a door in the first place?! It was wonderful to learn the room key did not unlock the deadbolt. During the craziness Douglas was dropped. But we didn't realize it until our first night at the coast! A good samaritan (likely a mom) found Douglas outside the hotel room and delivered him to the front desk. I improvised during our vacation and told Oliver since we were on a very special he got to sleep with his front loader! Thank goodness he fell for that and Loader appeased him for the week. We picked Doug up on our way home and Oliver was elated.