Overview

On January 24, 2014, Aaron was diagnosed with cancer.

Aaron expressed a great desire to chronicle this journey as he fights to win this battle with cancer. He has asked that I, his sister Kim, create and update this blog for all of his family, friends, clients, and anyone who wishes to follow along as he fights to overcome this trial.

Aaron told me that all the Facebook comments, text messages and phone calls have been such a great source of strength and faith-fortifier for him. He and Beth are so grateful for the love and kindness shown, and the promises of prayers given. Aaron says these things have truly encouraged him & strengthened his will to win this battle. So, I'm asking you on behalf of our entire family to never hesitate to send him your love and support via FB, text, email, phone, or comments on this blog because it means so much to him. (Even if you only know "of" him through friends or family members!) He loves reading your encouraging words; he said they "really pump me up." Aaron was in tears when we figured that he may have as many as 1,000 people praying for him already, from dear friends and family to complete strangers. It is so humbling. Thank you so much.

We all know Aaron is large in stature, with viking blood running through his veins. He would be a formidable challenger to any opponent, and we know that it is no different in this situation as he sets out to battle cancer.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Entry 12: Surgery Success!

Pre-surgery snuggles:
Aaron went in for his surgery yesterday around 10:30 for his scheduled operation at 1:30, however the surgery didn't actually start until about 5:00 PM, and didn't leave until 8.  This was his FB update he wrote as he waited for the surgery begin:
 "So a lot of people have asked about the surgery. This is my understanding: the lymph node where they found the cancer is not the source or primary site. The doc says it's usually on the back of the tongue or in the tonsils. So today they are going to put me under and take biopsies of my tonsils until they find the cancer. If they can't find it with the biopsies they will remove one or both of my tonsils. As far as the lymph node they do not plan to take it out because their experience shows that the cancer should go away with radiation and chemo. While this is a stage 4 cancer the doc said the staging in this type of cancer does not correlate to other types of cancer i.e. stage 4 colon cancer you have a 10% survival rate; he says I have a 90+% chance with my cancer. I'm counting on you guys to make up the 10%!! The next step is to start the treatments. The doc says it's a 7 week course with radiation and chemo five days per week. It's a long road and I will never be able to repay all who have and will help us, but I've got the rest of my life to try:)  Thanks for all of your prayers!"

After his surgery he wrote this: 
"All went well with surgery today. It was a long day- did not leave hospital until 8pm. Doc was able to find the primary site with just two biopsies so no tonsillectomy= good thing! Meeting with oncologist next week to start phase II. Thank you to everyone for your support!"

Today Adam flew home to his family.  Aaron and Beth are so grateful for all of his selfless service to their family!  Aaron & Beth are doing well today. The kids are enjoying the snow.  Aaron has a bad sore throat from the biopsies but other than that he's good!! Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jeff have been so wonderful and hospitable, and Aunt Joanie is working so hard to keep things moving quickly. Aaron also expressed his gratitude to her last night on Facebook when he said: 

"I want to send out a very special thank you to my aunt Joanie Erskine. She has gone so far above and beyond to help me with this battle. I love you Aunt Joan!"

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