On Thursday July 3 we received MRI results for Cru showing a 9+ cm tumor on his right #7 rib. 

We had moments of hope, believing that this has to be benign. It has to. 

As you can imagine we have been dealing with a myriad of emotions. Shock, Fear, Sorrow. Questioning every move the past few month with his "injury to his rib in 7 on 7 football." 

A gut wrenching feeling... knowing something is very wrong. Maybe a freak healing from his rib fracture. 

The orthopedic surgeon who did his biopsy saw his MRI and told us that he was 90% confident that this was benign. 

We had a few hours of relief and hope. 

He was wrong. 

Cancer. 

Cru has a form of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma. Yes, this is the same cancer that our sweet nephew Nixon had. 

As you can imagine the intense emotions of our family and extended family have been experiencing. The doctors are also floored. Nixon's genetic test was negative. It feels unbelievable. 

At Cru's biopsy he knew that if he woke up with a port in his chest then he had cancer. He woke up with a port. This was literally one of the hardest moments I have had as a parent. A process I'm still learning and navigating. 

The surrender over and over that Cru is in God's hands, not mine. Knowing deep down that this is bigger than him and me. 

We did receive somewhat hopeful news with his PET scan. It does not appear to have spread and so far *appears* to be localized. This is HUGE as the chances of survival go up significantly. 

However, they did see a spot in the lining of the lung that they need to take a closer look at. They will do this when he gets surgery in 10 weeks to remove the tumor and rib. They are hoping/thinking it's left over inflammation from some fluid that was in the MRI but was gone in the PET scan. I am giving all the fasting and praying on his behalf credit for the fluid being gone. 

This is Cru's senior year. If you know Cru you know he is a passionate kid. He has worked harder than anyone I know training for football and track. It was his time to shine. For him to see the results of countless hours of work. It was his time to do all the fun senior things. And now many of those dreams have been shattered. Mortality staring us down. And the continuous reoccurring thought, "how can this be real?" 

Cru has an intense 8 month treatment plan. 10 weeks of chemo with stays in the hospital. He will then have surgery to remove the tumor and rib. Then an additional 20 weeks of chemo and hospital stays. 

What we can control is our fight. We can do all the things to make this fight more bearable. We are going to fight this with everything we can. We have so many family members and friends to help us. I cannot thank you enough for showing up for Cru and our family. We are so humbled and forever grateful. 

Your prayers are working. We are going to need more. Together with Courage, Resilience and Unity we FIGHT WITH CRU!