North Carolina

Currently we have returned from North arolina. There were weeks of preparation preceding this trip in order to get Will into a clinical trial. All treatment from here on out is experimental since the first round of chemo and radiation was ineffective. Duke had/has a trial using and IV infusion of two chemotherapy agents to attack the tumor. We spent two days at Duke signing consents and Will was taking tests. Doctors and clinicians were confident Will would qualify for the trial and Will was scheduled for his first treatment on Friday morning. Will’s dad Alan had traveled with us and we decided to go to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. It was 80 degrees and sunny so a wonderful day to sit by the waves. Half way through the afternoon we received a call that blood had been noted on the MRI which disqualified Will for the study. The fact that there was an indication of blood on the MRI is not a concern medically, it only meant that the company which is conducting the trial requires everyone in the study to start from the same baseline, meaning no blood. Since we got that news too late to go home Thursday, we spent the night in Durham and flew home Fri. The advantage to being in the Duke study was that all of the chemo drugs would have been free. The same chemo treatment can be done here at St. Luke's in Kansas City but the insurance does not cover the cost of it which we have been told is about $40,000/treatment (Will will require a treatment every two weeks for a year or more if this chemo is effective). We have scheduled a meeting with Dr. Salacz at St. Luke's Cancer institute for Monday/tomarrow at noon to discuss options. We had prayed the whole trip that the Lord would open and close doors as he saw fit. Ruth was a little frustrated and Will peaceful as he remembered outloud that what we pray we must live. Isn't that the truth. We covet prayers and continue to look in joy and with anticipation to what the Lord in going to do.

FInd rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:5-6

Second Time Around

On August 25th Will entered into the operating room once again. Once again the Veterans hospital Ruth was working at helped release her from the ICU position she was suppose to start that week and allow her to stay part time in order to be with Will. Four hours and a few nail bites later Will was out of surgery an on his way to the ICU again. He was groggy but talking and smiling. We were all just thankful to have him still alive. It was another day.
The surgery went as well as could be expected with all of the visible tumor being removed once again. The tumor had grown a little further to the front this time causing Will's arm and leg to be effected after removal. He is still undergoing physical and occupational therapy to try to regain use of he right side. He does so well getting around and continues to know the Lord has a plan. Knowing the surgery was not a cure this time either other options were being explored. Will again progressed rapidly from the ICU to the regular floor and then directly to rehab. Two weeks later he was back at home and Ruth and Will were bother just enjoying being together again.
Since the surgerie we have been enjoying time......

at Royal's and softball games....

At aviation shows........................At weddings........

AT KSTATE GAMES..........

In Colorado with the aspens or having fun at home......

and at chiefs games and bowling with family.....

Whatever it has been it has involved a lot of prayer, many tears, and much laughter. We continue to want to go on a honeymoon, buy a house, and have kids but are waiting for the Lords timing on each. We are only guaranted today and we continue to live under the grace provided for today. We are thankful for the prayers and encouragement of all around. The joy of the Lord IS our strength.

Marriage and Beyond

July 15th rolled around beautiful at 100 degrees and sunny. Friends and Family from all over made the sweet trip on 3 weeks notice to celebrate the joining of the two. It was a sweet time and made for the perfect beginning of their lives now as one. If any of you grew up in the 80's then you will know where the quote 'Mawage, Mawage is what bwings us togever today.." is from. Marriage is what brought so many sweet people together to bless Will and Ruth on a day where she really did feel like a princess bride! They do say that the wedding kiss rates as one of the best/ longest in history.
Mom, Dad, and Gail Schroeder had to return to the other side of the ocean and Ruth and Will settled into their duplex in Lenexa, Kansas. Being close to all the KC Renos provided a wonderful support group for Will and Ruth alike as they began their lives together.


Will continued with his radiation and chemo for the next five weeks as the couple learned how to live and love together. Ruth was orienting to a new position at the VA and Will undergoing therapy in attempts to get his arm back to baseline strength for hunting elk in September. Will was starting to drive again and mow the grass. Both were entertaining thoughts of a real honey moon and trying to buy a house.

Will felt tired but no other real health concerns arose while he was having treatment. He was even able to keep his thick black hair until after the wedding. From then on he started sporting the shiny look which Ruth has grown to prefer. He finished 33 radiation sessions and six weeks of oral chemo to complete the first phase. All was going well.

On August 16th Will was at home watching a football game when he experienced a small seizure. He was able to call his parents after it was over and they rushed him to the ER. A CT of his head was completed and we were told their was a large mass noted in the surgical cavity. Figuring there must be some mistake Will and Ruth headed home to get some sleep. An MRI was not scheduled until 3 days later and unfortunately revealed a tumor larger than the size of the first which was causing a significant amount of swelling. This may have been the cause of the seizure and consequently was the Lord’s way of telling us something was not right. After many tears a more than a bit of disbelief, it was back to the square one to figure out the next plan of action. True to their word Will was immediately taken off of the clinical trial at St. Lukes and other options were explored. We were presented with either the option to do surgery or an experimental chemo. What a terrific decision to face after all that had transpired in the past few weeks. Again after many prayers and tears Will and Ruth decided to go with the surgery. It seemed like the most aggressive option to provided them with some more time.