“There are angels in the outfield. All you have to do is believe”   

It just seems fitting to keep the baseball theme going and quote the movie Angels in the Outfield.

Because today we saw them!! 

Bobby and Piper met today with a team at the Mayo Clinic.

They reviewed his CT and lab work from Atlanta and they conducted their own imaging and lab work. 

Though they confirmed the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is correct…. They told them that dad has the best case scenario!!

*pause*

“BEST” hasn’t even been in our vocabulary since Thursdays news. Just google pancreatic cancer and you won't find a "best" scenario. 

For starters, dad’s tumor is growing in an area of the pancreas that allowed him to notice warning signs FAR earlier than most. This means his cancer was caught early and that in and of itself is rare for this particular monster.

Second, dad is a great candidate for surgery. The particular operation is very difficult to perform and recovery is rough. But we know this former athlete can handle getting hit by a few more pitches.

Third, this surgeon performs more “whipple surgeries” than any other surgeon in the US. Okay, God, we see you orchestrating every single detail! And he told dad that he has cleared his schedule and will operate on him THIS WEDNESDAY morning!

Fourth, the MRI and additional tests that were performed today at Mayo revealed news we already know, and no additional unexpected news was found—praise!

Fifth, he will most definitely need rounds of chemotherapy at a later time once he recovers from this daunting surgery. The good news is that he will be able to return home to Atlanta to have chemo there. And he will return as needed to Mayo for additional monitoring.

Tomorrow will be more pre-op work at the hospital to gear up for the big day on Wed.

While the diagnosis is still not desirable…. The treatment options and prognosis are HOPEFUL! To God be all the praise and glory.   

A few weeks ago Craig (Bob’s son-in-law) pointedly asked him “what are you doing to show Christ to others you encounter on a daily basis at work? And, how certain are you that all of your coworkers are believers?” This promoted him to pray a prayer that went something like this… “God, help use me as a vessel to point others to you whatever the cost.” And today he told me that he feels certain this journey is now his platform to bear witness to the good news—not just the good news of a more hopeful “terminal” diagnosis…. But the good news of a Savior who has come to save each and every one of us.

Please keep the prayers coming—they are working—and we are already experiencing so many miracles.

We will update after surgery on Wednesday.

Put him in coach… he’s ready to play! 

#BearStrong 🐻