As you know, in May Bethany was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma. Throughout this time we have been overwhelmed by the love and support of our family, friends, church, and community. While we realized that there have been text threads and email chains, we haven’t been posting updates anywhere public beyond Instagram and Facebook. This means we are fielding a lot of questions when we are out and about. As you might expect, it’s tough to summarize our journey in a few short sentences, or to try and answer the question “how are you?” with any real nuance, detail, or clarity. The season is complex, with many ups and downs, and many learnings. So we decided to write down some of our experiences here, on a website that I have used off and on over the years as a creative outlet and for mission trip updates.

I doubt this will feel very formal or professional, and we won’t post everything we think or feel. But our hope is that this will give you a little glimpse into what it’s been like for us. By writing down some of our experiences as they unfold, I think it will help with a few things. First, I hope it will help us to process what we are going through. Second, I think it will be helpful for people to get to hear more of what we are experiencing without us having to share the same stories or feelings over and over. Third, I believe it will help people to pray for us more specifically, as God continues to heal Bethany, provide for us, and be with us.

That being said, here are some updates that we posted on Instagram over the past few months. I hope this will bring people up to speed on the story so far.

May 11

Bethany: “I’ve been having some random mysterious health issues since having Nora, and Tuesday night we finally got some answers. I have an extensive blood clot from my neck to my right elbow, which was caused by a 9×7 cm mass near my heart. Currently we are awaiting biopsy results, which could come some time mid next week. We are feeling so supported by our family and community, and so confident that God is fighting for me and already healing my body. Please be praying for 1) continued healing of the blood clot, which is under control 2) quick and benign biopsy results and 3) comfort for this mama who just wants to be woken up at 3 am by her baby and not a blood draw. We won’t be posting a lot of updates on here, but we will keep everyone posted on the biopsy results. Thank you to everyone who has been praying and encouraging us so far, it means more than you can know” 

May 15

Bethany: “My biopsy results came back and I have stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma. This is hard news, and we know it will be a challenging road ahead. The good news is that this cancer is highly curable with chemotherapy and my doctor is confident I’ll be cured. I started chemo yesterday, and it will last about 6 months with outpatient treatments every 2 weeks. We are so thankful for the care I’m receiving.

We are feeling God’s comforting presence and peace in the midst of how hard and challenging this is. We are feeling the prayer, love, and support from our family and community (both near and far). Thank you to all who are praying for us and supporting us right now. It means the world to us.

Please be praying that the cancer would be killed quickly and early in treatment, that my body responds well, and that pain and other side effects are as minimal as possible. Pray that I would be able to bond with Nora (who is already four and a half months old!), and have energy to experience the joy of mothering. Pray for Ben, that he will be strengthened and comforted as he cares for me and Nora. He has been a rock to me this week. Life is such a gift- the joy and the pain- so please be praying that Jesus increases our capacity to love and be loved by Him, each other, and all of you.”

June 25

Ben: “Bethany goes in for her fourth chemo treatment tomorrow, and a scan the day after (June 27). The scan will help us know what treatment will look like into the summer, but we are praying for a totally clear scan, and that she is fully healed. The journey has been crazy so far- really hard, painful, and surreal moments. Also so many stories of God providing for us and experiencing his presence. Often those things are happening all at once. We are so thankful for all the prayer, love, gifts, and kind words we have received from so many. Please continue to pray for Bethany, Nora, and me over the next few days. We love you all.”