This is the time of year when everything seems to fly by.  I can’t believe it’s December and our 2024 Ritscher Family Thanksgiving/Christmas “Thanksmas” has come and gone.  Before I (Lacey) go into that, though, I want to kick this off in the spirit of gratitude.  THANK YOU all SO much for your continued support for Mom/Kelsey, Dad/Wayne, and our whole family.  It’s been about 8 months since all of “this” started, and you all have not backed down.  I know we aren’t always the best at asking for or receiving help, but you continue to show up in amazing ways.  Thank you!! 

 

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster since my last update.  Mom/Kelsey had really turned a positive corner after going back on some steroids and deciding to start a new treatment plan.  Since then, she has experienced a bit of a crash.  The doctors are continuing with the Avastin (a target medication that cuts off blood supply to the tumors) and have resumed some more steroids.  She also continues to fight off some lingering pneumonia with antibiotics.  

 

Even with all of that, having everyone at home last week was so special.  I (Lacey) arrived in Keystone with my family late on Sunday 11/24, and Ellie arrived with her family on Tuesday.  We celebrated Christmas on Wednesday, Thanksgiving and Lions football on Thursday, a very lucky Iowa Hawkeye win on Friday, and an even luckier (sorry, Kyle!) Michigan Wolverine win on Saturday.  My kids (6yo and 4yo) and Ellie’s kids (9yo and 6yo) played NON-STOP the entire time.  Watching these cousins continue to develop friendships was definitely a highlight for us all.  

 

Ellie and I tried our best to make our Thanksmas as special as Mom/Kelsey always has for us.  We decorated, baked, cooked, spoiled one another with gifts.  It was great…but, of course, not the same.  Mom/Kelsey hung out with us pretty much all day everyday.  She would pipe into the conversations here and there, and she was constantly smiling while watching the kids.  

 

If I’m honest, I’m a little nervous about what’s next.  The treatment options are limited.  She is growing increasingly weak and uncomfortable.  I think the next few weeks will be quite telling.  And, so, in that time and space, we continue to pray for peace and comfort remembering that Jesus has overcome these worldly battles, and that what awaits us is incomprehensible.  John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

 

Photo: The Grandkiddos standing in their matching mini-Santa mug PJs in front of Mom/Kelsey’s vintage/antique (I never know what word it is) mini-Santa mug collection.  (L-R: Louis, Davis, Ada Mae, Elsey Jo)