So Crystal has finally learned her news of her next step. It was a little crazy with three different teams of doctors figuring out the best way to get the tumor, that happens to be near a blood vessel. Then there is Spring Break and vacations with doctors/nurses so figuring out the schedule. She is not excited about it and is exhausted. She has talked pretty much to every team of doctors, and made them tell her the reason why we need to do it this way so she could understand and feel confident.
Her surgery will be April 11th. A cute story, as the ablation doctor Schmidt, switched his schedule for her as he wants to be the one to do this procedure, we are very lucky 🍀 He has done most of her ablations. He knows her, he knows us.
Thank you for your kind words and the messages wondering what has been going on. We have just been waiting to hear before I said something to our prayer warriors. You have been with us since the beginning, I wouldn’t forget you.
Here is a cute picture from yesterday that Cassidy took, I’m sure Courtney will be doing that with Cassidy tomorrow 😉

Guardian Angel up above, please protect the ones I love.

Written on October 30th, 2023 @ 6pm

Well Joey, it is that time. It is that time for Crystal to head back to Mayo. Oh I know you are with her, as she says she can feel it.

November 1st is almost here and we will be heading to Rochester. She will have her MRI that evening, with more appointments following the next day. And then, the big meeting with her team of doctors to learn if this treatment has been working.
As Crystal just recently said, “I am scared, and mom if it is not good news, I will need a few weeks to myself. I know Joey is watching over me but I think I will be mad and scared all at once if the news is not what I want to hear”.
As a mother it broke my heart to hear that, it actually made my heart race to even think of the treatment not working, and yet I sure understood everything she was saying.

How is Crystal? She looks great. She feels well too. She also continues to live life to the fullest. She takes things day by day. She is grateful that she has fought this cancer long enough to even have new treatments to try, but that doesn’t take away the anxiety, the fear, the worry. She is a fighter and somedays can even have survivors guilt.

Since closing our Spirit Doors in March, life sure has kept my family on its toes. The loss of my brother, Crystal’s uncle, has been extremely hard on our small family as we are close.
Over the years watching my daughter fight, I have learned so much about myself, about people, about God, about the power of prayer and how believing can give you peace.
The easiest way to find peace is do everything in life with love.
When I think of her battle, the fear, the worry, my mind protects my heart, it automatically thinks of something else. I can do that because my fighter is still here. She is still alive.
But when I think of my brother, our childhood, my grandmother and father who have passed, the hurt is overwhelming so much that when I go to think of something else the guilt sets in. It is like I am forgetting him, like I don’t want to think of him but yet I don’t want to forget him. I want to keep his energy alive but yet it hurts to think of him. Kind of a strange thought process, and writing it makes you cry and laugh at yourself. I am sure I am not alone.

You know I love photos, I think in a previous life I was a photographer. Hahaha
I think I love the moment when everyone is taking that photo, that smile, and in that split second everyone is together, but everyone’s memory of that day in that picture, will always be different. That is the beauty of it. And in the end that is all you have.
Family, friends, nothing is perfect but I sure like to surround myself with ones that build you up verses tearing you down.
As I would always say to my dance team, you will never be this young again, this size, and this moment will never happen again….Embrace it because it truly is a gift.

Thank you from our family to yours. Rod, Crystal, Gage, Courtney, Alec, Cassidy, James, Hazel, Baby Girl coming in February and Me💜

Happy Halloween to you all. Love and kindness is a beautiful thing to pass out that night. I thank you all for your prayers these last 10 years for my family. I feel very lucky that God guided me to write my beautiful daughter’s journey as she sure received many prayer warriors because of it.

Hello August, we are going home…

Thank you for the prayers, the positive notes and kindness. Gage is driving us home as Crystal rests her eyes. I can say this treatment went smooth compared to last time but it is still a rough couple of weeks. However, the treatment is now done. A total of 4.
November is when we will learn if it is actually working. We will learn if the tumors have shrunk, remained the same, have grown or multiplied. It is scary to think about as this treatment is $400,000.00, plus our time, the hotel rooms, the gas and watching her be sick while we wonder if it is working.
Courtney, Cassidy & Hazel I think Crystal is looking forward to some girl time.

And mom…thinking of Joey being here is comforting and sad. It is a blessing to take so many photos but then everyday there is a Timehop memory. Today, two years ago…We were going to Billy Idol, front row. I am so glad I took the time to get those tickets and watched Foxie sing to him. Joey loved every minute. Every minute. Gosh, I miss him but the perfect Guardian Angel we have.

Update…

Before we head to Mayo, Crystal & Gage thought we should go to the races!
A night with Gage’s mom & dad, and Crystal’s mom & dad🥰
Yes, it is that time for Crystal to go. We sure would take those prayers, those positive vibes you always send Crystal and our family. At this time it will be her 4th and final treatment before we learn in the fall if it has been working.
How is she doing? I think we are all doing well, with the one day at a time attitude.
2023 has been a little rough for our family and yet we try our best to see the blessings, to trust the path however, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been extremely difficult.
Thank you for showing us your kindness🙏🏻

3rd Treatment…

Written on Sunday, June 4th @ 8:45pm

Tonight I sit quietly in the den, it is time for an update. Oh how hard it is for me to write today but I can’t stop this tradition, as my daughter has been blessed with prayers from all over the last 10 years, so here we go.

As I sit here with a million things running through my mind, I take a moment and tap my chest three times. Now take in where I am, I can hear the humming of my air conditioner, looking out the window, I can see that my grass was excited to see some rain today. I quickly think graduation time, I missed a few this year, that makes me sad. Hmmmm I need to find Crystal’s graduation pic. Okay….Now what has Crystal been up too since April 8th. 

Crystal wasn’t feeling the greatest after this last treatment, it was a little rougher on her. But in about 10 days, she fights her way back to finding the positive. So here we go again, we will leave very early in the morning, appointments on Monday, radiation on Tuesday. Your prayers would be so welcomed and we thank you in advance. But this time, will be different trip to Mayo as our hearts have broken, before that happened tho…

We got to celebrate Easter together, Hazel turned the wonderful age of 2, Crystal turned 31 and Mother’s Day couldn’t have been better. To top it off, Crystal, my mom and I went to Madison, WI for the Shania Twain Concert! This was something that Crystal was determined to do. She wanted to see Hailey Whitters open for one of her favorite stars. So VIP it was! There is a cute story with the Whitters family and Crystal, but it pulls at the heart strings and I don’t think I can go there tonight with that. 

No sooner from the high of the concert, the perfect weather, getting home safely, and taking that moment to thank God for this time, this moment with my mother who is 72, and my daughter who fights everyday to be here, and then BOOM…Our world changed.

I received a phone call at 8:07pm from my brothers best friend. I was told he was being air lifted to the University, and it was bad. I needed to call my mom, whom I had just dropped off from a night of fun. I can’t type this all yet without crying. I will never forget those calls. Their voices. That night.

My brother was with his friends, doing what he loved. A beautiful night on a motorcycle, his midweek dinner rides with his buddies. I guess God needed him home, they believe he had gone into cardia arrest on his motorcycle. He never lost control of his bike, he just drove straight off the road. Some say maybe he could see the light and went home. My heart hurts. Our family will never be the same.

My brother was a simple man, kind and from his visitation/funeral we learned he had many many friends. I did my best to take in everyone of them and their stories. Isn’t that what life is about, finding the connection, the love?

As Crystal said so sweetly, with tears in her eyes. “Mom, when I go to Mayo, and when I get scared about what might happen to me. I now feel like I have someone on the other side waiting for me. Because I know him and I know Joey will be waiting for me. I am going to miss him so much”.

I am trying my best God. One day at a time. But please watch over my mom, because I don’t think I could handle another loss in this very small family of mine. 

We are home, Crystal is resting.

As I drove us home this afternoon, I was thinking about how different it feels to not worry about hearing the results of your cancer spreading, or growing. I mean right now she does the treatment, so you worry about how her body takes it but you can’t go to the next step of worry because you are remaining hopeful that this treatment is working. In a strange way, it is nice.

Also on this beautiful day in Rochester, I sat outside of Mayo to take in the sunshine for a bit. There, I met a woman named Judy. We talked for a very long time. I could tell when she sat by me that she needed an ear to listen, to visit with. However, I think God wanted me to hear her story, as she touched my heart, she inspired me.

What started out as a brief conversation of what she could eat and how checking into her appointments was difficult for her at first, I could feel that she had a kind heart by the way she spoke. Judy, a 78 year old petite, confident woman, was traveling by herself from Michigan, for a possible lung transplant in Rochester. Coming from a family of lawyers, listening to her thoughts and her opinions, I smiled. Her history, her stories, were touching. A very smart woman. I told Judy I was so proud of her for traveling alone, still fighting, not giving up. I shared a little of Crystal’s Story with her as we walked to get a water together, and as we part ways I could feel the happiness we both shared. I couldn’t wait to tell Crystal and my mom all about her.
Thank you God for letting me meet her today.
And to everyone, let’s say a prayer for Judy too. I hope that I get to see the age of 78, I hope that I still have that fight in me, that drive that inspires others.

10 Years Ago…

On this sunny day in Iowa, I sent in my kitchen with the sliding glass door open, the sun feels good on my face. I can hear the wind and my chimes outside and I think to myself on what I was doing on this day years ago.

Tonight I will prepare for Easter, very different than what I was doing 10 years ago. This photo of Crystal was taken in our hotel room in Rochester, MN on this day. Crystal wanted to look at her stomach one more time before there was going to be a scar, so we took a photo and then we laughed. Crystal was fighting for her life, we were not even sure she should would make it through the surgery, let alone beat the cancer that was taking over her little body. And here we are 10 years later, still fighting for her life and still smiling. She really is a miracle that she is still with us. That is why we have to believe in them.

I am sorry I have not really updated lately. It has been crazy busy for all of us. As many of you know I have closed the CR Spirits Dance Studio doors after 30 years. We had our sold out Spirit Show, “END of an ERA”, which was an amazing night. Then the team headed to Vegas to perform, a fantastic girl trip. When we got back to Iowa, we immediately began to move out of our Studio in the mall. However, we can’t forget the night that we got to see the Spirits Movie on the Big Screen, needless to say there has been a lot going on. It has been bittersweet. I wanted to go out on a high note, so 30 years was a good number to end on. I think in this last month Crystal and I have hit every emotion possible, which they say that means you have lived a full day when you do that, I would say we lived a full year then.

As for Crystal’s new treatment. It is scary, it is not a fun week afterwards either. She is extremely sick. And then, we will have no idea if it is even working until we get closer to Christmas. So we wait. To top it off, the issues with insurance. This one treatment cost $200,000.00 and she needs four of them, like that doesn’t add stress to our family. One day at a time we tell ourselves, we believe insurance is now on board.

How is Crystal doing? She has been great. She feels and looks good. Has she had a hard time with the Spirits coming to an end, yes. Her tears make me question the step I took, yet I also believe that God has a plan for us both and I trust him. With that being said, Crystal and Gage went on a vacation to Mexico. She made sure the studio was done before she would plan to book it. She has kept herself busy.

Crystal will celebrate Easter with family and then we will head to Mayo very early Monday morning for her second treatment. Next week will be very hard for her. She sure has had some highs, performing, traveling, shopping, and then some lows, sick with treatment, ending the Spirits, dealing with insurance. All in a month. I think acknowledging all those feels, makes you embrace each moment. Maybe that is what God is trying to tell us, to be hopeful, to embrace the moment, to live each day.

I hope you all have a blessed Easter. I hope you all find your true Spirit. And I thank you in advance for your kindness, prayers and support as we head into her second treatment. 

I am in shock, I can’t seem to shake it, so maybe writing about it will help.

2023 is suppose to be my year of TRUST. I am trusting God with this next part of my new life’s journey after the CR Spirits of 30 years comes to an end in March. I am trusting God that I am exactly where he wanted me to be. That I have fulfilled what he wanted me to do with the gift he gave me.I am trusting God with Crystal’s new treatment. A new plan for her life’s journey, that it will work and we will see no more new tumors, or growth of the other ones. I trust that she remains hopeful and positive through this change in her career, her health, her life.

But 2023 has started out with fear, heartache, worry and now anger. “Someone” I will not mention as I will not give her any more attention. “Someone” I have prayed for, that I have followed on social media. “Someone” that my heart hurt for her and her family. “Someone” I have never met but if I could help, I wanted to. That “someone”, well she was arrested yesterday for the fundraisers she has had with her battle with cancer, actually the same cancer as Crystal fights. Her GoFund Me has raised over $37,000 that is just GoFund Me! She was very close to the same age as Crystal when she was diagnosed almost a year ago. This has been going on for almost a year….WOW. So believable and yet a lie? Yes, she was arrested for fraud.

I can’t even imagine doing something like this. It hurts my heart and I am still in disbelief. The fundraisers we have had for Crystal has literally gone to medical, hotels, gas, bills etc.. We have never misused any of it. And as sad, as embarrassing as it is to say, we needed it. Rod and I needed it, Crystal and Gage needed it as it helped with hotel stays, those extra expenses, etc.. And as the fundraising money has gone, her expenses still remain and this next new form of treatment is even more costly. This time will need to be at Mayo for each treatment which is every other month, besides her quarterly check ups there. The money, the worry, again I find myself using my word for the year, TRUST, trusting God.And then I see this “someone” a young woman lie? Really?

Crystal’s journey has helped me find God again. It has helped me be a better person, as a women, a daughter, a mother, a wife, a friend, a coach, her heartache showed me that there is good people out there and we sure have lived through it the last 10 years.

Things you may not know, as I choose to only share with close family/friends over the years is:Crystal has had people approach her on this journey stating that she is lying of her cancer.

She doesn’t look sick. She seems fine.

One night out with friends, a group of women asked her to show them her scar because they didn’t believe her…People she never has met and trying to pick a fight.

But Crystal has graciously stayed calm, but I will be honest, her mother struggled.

I received a letter also in the beginning of this journey that Crystal’s path is because of the choices I have made…I was sickened but my fighter gave me strength and reminded me of who I am, and that my choices have been just fine.

The people that came into her sisters lives for support but were there for the wrong intentions, we have prayed for them. As a mom, I always reminded my girls to listen to how they talk, does their words match their actions. Look at them today, time heals as you get wiser.

The family that has stated their opinions to others, that has eventually come back to us, very hurtful, but we have risen above it. We can’t choose our family but we can choose who we respect and who we trust.

This fighter, this mother of a fighter has had friends/people suggest that Crystal uses this cancer for attention, that her mother uses it for marketing her business. Crystal has smiled and said mom, pray for them, they need it more than me, than us.

There are countless stories, shocking ones but not ready to share, not ready to give it attention.So when I saw this news last night of this “someone”, I couldn’t sleep, I dwelled on it. I feel bad for her next chapter in life, as her words have not matched her actions. Yet, I believe you are innocent until you are proven guilty. Just because you don’t look sick, doesn’t mean that you are not.

And as for Crystal’s prayer warriors, thank you for never giving up, for believing, for loving our family like it is yours, 10 years of fighting, I couldn’t imagine not having the support and prayers from so many.

On Valentine’s Day, Crystal will not be eating chocolate, she will be having an 8 hour radiation cocktail. The worry, the fear, I can’t describe for her but as her mom, it is heart wrenching. As Crystal has called Mayo twice now, making sure she will be fine to dance on the stage one last time. Saturday, March 4th END of an ERA!

TRUST….

Exhausted…

Written Tuesday, December 20th @ 11pm

A long couple of days, and then a long drive home. As I drove, I watched her sleep for a bit, I just kept thinking why? Why her? Why us? And as she woke up, she stared out the window, she was quiet. I could tell her mind was racing, she was tired and yet scared. And then the half smile as she looks over at me. I can see in her eyes she is saying, mom everything is going to be okay. Right?

Before this appointment Crystal and I practiced different scenarios depending on what they would tell her. We were ready and then she says, “Mom I mean I have cancer, that is not the surprise. I have it, it is staying ahead of it. I am scared on how they are going to do that”.

What did we learn?

Well her new treatment doesn’t seem to be working, and of course it is causing a little grief with her heart, so we will be stopping that. 

Next, we learned that the four tumors in her lungs, and the three tumors in her liver, have grown.

Third, we have a new tumor by her kidney.

In January we will be trying a new treatment. Crystal is lucky to have fought this cancer for almost 10 years and will get to try LUTATHERA, it is a radioactive targeted therapy. We will learn more about that in the coming weeks.

As for now, I am thankful for my time with Crystal and Gage the last few days. Gage is uplifting and positive, we always seem to have laugh here and there when we are together. I am looking forward to the holidays with my family, as you never know what tomorrow will bring.

I need to rest, so I am positive because right now I am emotional but that might be because our furnace broke and I am freezing. Merry Christmas to me as I am getting a furnace for Christmas.

Thank you for your kindness, remember to embrace this holiday as it could always be your last. Merry Christmas. 

Hoping for a Christmas Miracle

Written on Saturday, December 17th @ 10:30pm

Late on a cold Saturday night in Iowa, I am wrapped in an electric blanket and feeling anxious about this trip to Mayo. Yes, it is that time again. Yes, we sure would take those prayers. Those positive vibes you have been giving our family for almost 10 years. Kind of crazy to think it has been that long. 

Monday, Crystal will be doing a scan that she did years ago and swore she would never do it again. Well here she is, doing it again. The DOTATE PET/CT scan. One thing Crystal has said is, “at least I know what it will be like”.

We know this new treatment does cause Crystal to have some heart issues. Only 3% would have this be an issue, and yes our fighter is one of them. Crystal has even joked I think I have seen the cardiologist more than my oncologist. Crystal’s heart is strong and when she is dancing, it keeps her heart rate up, that is a good thing. It is when she is resting that seems to be the issue. This new treatment is an extremely painful injection once a month, it has not caused her any complications other than her heart. She has been doing this new treatment for 6 months, and now for the big scan to see if it is working.

How is Crystal? She looks great, she is positive, and takes one day at a time. But she will admit she is very nervous about this trip as well. She is so nervous she is doing everything she can to stay busy. Her worry is the process of this DOTATE PET/CT scan, on top of learning if her cancer has grown or spread. I don’t know how she does it. She is a courageous fighter. I admire her strength. Her story, her journey has helped me in mine. Funny how that works.

On Tuesday afternoon we will learn of Crystal’s next steps and as much as I do believe that God is good, that he gives us what we can handle, I must say it is hard to think about it without shedding a tear.

God sure likes to keep us on our toes…

Written on Friday, September 30th

I believe I had mentioned that Crystal Marie Barnett was having some heart issues since the start of her new treatment.Well Wednesday was a little scary for her, so we canceled dance, and she is now wearing a heart  monitor to learn more.Today, she is smiling with Hazel and she thought mom, “maybe we need some more prayers”. Oh goodness I’m on it🙏🏻

Love your strength Crystal…

Written on Tuesday, September 20th

We are on our way home, with the reminder it can always be worse.It has been a long day, we left at 2:30am…so we are exhausted. Crystal’s tumors in her liver have remained the same, however a spot that they didn’t see last time, or that they could not tell if it was a tumor, they now can say that it is because of growth. So not necessarily new. Crystals tumors in her lungs have grown 2-3mm. And a couple of previous spots they can now confirm that they are tumors as well. Sad but again it could be worse. So our plan is to continue this treatment until December at her next three month appointment. She will then do her normal checkups, bloodwork, MRI, Cat Scan and then another Dotatate Scan which is like a combination of an MRI & Pet-Scan. This type of scan is very hard to do especially if you claustrophobic. We will then learn the next step in her journey.

It is that time again…

Written on Tuesday, September 20th

I can’t sleep and yet I am so tired. I have not done an update but it is only because we have been so very busy. Keeping busy helps you forget that you have cancer, especially when it is a fun busy. Her younger sister Cassidy got married in July, and now the CR Spirits are getting ready for the Last Show, so it has been just a little crazy. However, having to do an update is a must, as it keeps our prayer warriors with us. We leave very very early in the morning, we sure would appreciate those positive thoughts, those sweet words of encouragement and prayers, lots of prayers. As Crystal says to me, I really wish we didn’t have to go. I just don’t want to know, I think to myself what a beautiful courageous fighter she is. Please God gives us good news. Three months went by fast. She has handle this new treatment well. She has had three painful injections, one a month with a little scare with her heart but so far so good. Now it is time to learn the news.  Thank you all for your kindness.  Crystal Marie Barnett I enjoyed my night with you. Hazel made us smile and the students were excited for photos. What a good night, now the rest is in Gods hands. Good Night.

Tomorrow begins the new treatment…

Written Wednesday, June 29th

This last weekend was wonderful celebrating her little sisters Bachelorette Party, and on my TimeHop I see that 6 years ago we were doing the same thing only Crystal’s Bachelorette Party. Back then I would think I just want Crystal to experience at least one of her sisters getting married, and what a blessing that she will have been a part of both of them after next Friday. It’s a gift, but goodness don’t we always want more.A lot of you think Crystal has already started her treatment, she actually gets her first infusion tomorrow afternoon. She will do one infusion a month for three months, then it will be her appointment at Mayo to see if it is working.Crystal sure could use some prayers for strength. If we could fill her up with positivity and hopeful thoughts it sure would help with all the emotions.Crystal physically is doing well but mentally/emotionally she has struggled. As a mother trying to give her positive words, focus on a wedding and continuing to look for the good is exhausting. Life sure has its highs and lows. And as Crystal’s says to me, “Mom, thank you for always showing me to live, to plan, to trust. Because if you didn’t, I wouldn’t have the memories I have”.As they say, don’t wait for everything to be perfect to enjoy your life…We all know nothing is perfect.

We are home…

Written on Tuesday, June 14th @ 7pm

Not the news we wanted to hear but we have a plan.

Crystal at dinner last night said, I can’t even remember the last time I had an appointment and just got good news. I wonder what year that was. It’s been a long time.Since our last visit to Mayo two months ago, with the successful procedure that got the 4 tumors out of her liver, Crystal now appears to have 2 new little tumors back in her liver. And one of her lesions in her lungs has grown. We had to make a decision today about a treatment as we need to stay ahead of the cancer.Crystal, Dr. McWilliams and her team of doctors have decided to try hormone therapy. It is not as harsh as Chemotherapy, it is something she has never tried and they would like to see if it will work for her. She will be with Dr. Wilbur here in Cedar Rapids for this form of treatment. Dr. Wilbur has been her oncology doctor here at home when she has done chemo. The treatment will be either the Lanreotide or Sandostatin infusion. They will check her in three months and if it does not work, she maybe a candidate for Lutathera but we have to try this first.I will be honest, I am disappointed, exhausted and could scream but that helps no one. I was just saying to Crystal that after 9 years, I just feel like I am going through the motions when I am here. But the minute they call your name to come back you can’t help but feel your heart jumping out of your chest. Crystal says, me to mom. It is so exhausting just waiting, wondering, guessing and all the while keeping positive and remembering your faith. And then to think my beautiful daughter who is fighting to stay alive sure tears at the heart strings.I woke up this early morning at our hotel, thinking of a friend of mine whose young daughter suddenly passed away in a car accident. My heart hurt for them. I was thinking of life how beautiful and scary it is. The fear of not knowing, yet trusting. I thought God, this beautiful daughter has went home to be with you, yet their families life has changed drastically. They are good people, the parents are good people, they do good things, and their lives have stopped as everyone else’s continues to go on. I am sure they are just trying to catch their breath. My heart hurts for them. And then it was time for us to get ready to go to learn our news…And once we got the news of Crystal, I whispered to myself God give me strength, there is so much going on in my life right now, I don’t know how long I can keep a positive spin on things. And then immediately the thought of this family and their sudden loss of their daughter, made me realize, my daughter is still here. Stop complaining. We will learn more of Crystals next step in the next few days. So for now, we will continue to prepare for a beautiful wedding. One day at a time, just keep saying it to yourself.

Be still for a moment, the World can wait…

Written Sunday, June 12th @ 7pm

It has been a little crazy since the last time I updated you all. Crystal is doing well and we have been so busy that we have not even thought about this upcoming appointment. I think that is a good thing. 

Let’s see since the last time I updated, Crystal has recovered from her surgery, St. Patrick’s Day flew by, Hazel’s 1st Birthday happened, Easter was next, can’t forget Mother’s Day, and lots of birthday celebrations but the big one…Crystal turned 30!!! Yes our fighter turned 30, what a miracle. We have had many doctors tell us she may not see the age of 23 but here we are. And she celebrated in Las Vegas! With a performance to boot! As a neighbor said to me, “Celebrate Don’t Wait”. I must say that is so true and I have found that it is hard for many people to do. 

Right now we are blessed to help Cassidy and James plan their wedding day. July 8th, 2022 is almost here. With all of the planning, the wedding shower, parties you name it I reflect.

I remember in 2016 thanking God that our daughter Crystal had met someone who could make her heart feel complete. That she could experience that kind of love, have a wedding and feel the support that surrounded her. I felt so blessed that our family and friends could celebrate her during a very difficult but yet a happy time. But then as soon as that special day was over, I found myself asking God for another favor. Please keep her here for at least one of her sisters wedding so Crystal could feel the other side of it. Funny how we always want, want, want. 

I am reminded how precious time is, how blessed we are to have our own prayer warriors, and the 2016 prayers, well Crystal has gotten more than I had asked for. What a gift. What a gift for all of us. Now God, please make sure I don’t forget how lucky we are, you know we all do that sometimes down here.

As Crystal thought that she would not head to Mayo until after her sisters wedding, her doctors felt different. As sad as Crystal was about learning that there would have to be an appointment before the wedding, I immediately said to her, “Honey we know you have cancer, it is just learning the next step, it is okay to get the news. We will hear it, we will figure it out, we will embrace the moment, and we will enjoy a beautiful wedding in just a few weeks. One day at a time, just keep saying it”. With a smile, she says she is ready.

So tomorrow we head to Mayo for tests by Tuesday afternoon we will know if the cancer has spread, grown or remained the same. Please keep our family in your thoughts. We thank you in advance.