Thursday, August 5, 2010

Let's Cut This Thing Out!

Tomorrow I have surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible before I start a new regiment of Chemo the following week. I am a little nervous about it but I also know that I have great surgeon's, oncologists and nurses taking care of me too. Plus over the weekend I will get to eat lots of Ice Cream, pudding and Jell-O! Woo Hoo!

Stacey and I have really been having a great time with friend's and family recently. We have seen our parents last week and spent time with a lot of our great friends over the weekend. On Sunday Stacey and I talked about how much we have learned through all of this and what the meaning of life is. (I know pretty deep for a Sunday!) We both agree that the reason that we were put here is to make other's happy. It sounds so simple but with every one's stress from work, co-workers, family, friend's, children and spouses sometimes the meaning is lost in a sea of busy. We talked about the fact that we are learning so much at such a young age and what a gift that is. God has a plan for us all and it is to be happy and to make others happy. If I have one challenge for anyone this weekend it is to go out and do something for someone else to put a smile on there face. You will feel God fill your heart and make you whole!

Stacey and I have had the gift of so many great friends that have helped us along the way and we are very humbled by every one's caring and generosity. It has meant so much to us to have so much support while we go through this horrible thing called Cancer. The prayers that are said for us give us peace and lots of hope.

Let's Cut This Cancer Out!

Brian Pritchard

Thank you in advance for all of your prayers! Also I love it when people comment on my blog too. I love to hear from all of my friends and family so feel free to leave a comment! Thanks!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Don't Worry Be Happy

I have had kind of a rough week because of all of the uncertainty with my treatments. We went to Iowa City on Wednesday and they told Stacey and I that they are going to be switching up my treatment. Approximately 90% of my cancer is gone and instead of the cancer being in 6 or 7 places in my body it is just in one area under my armpit. We are going to see some Doctor's tomorrow about other treatment options and things should be more definitive by tomorrow night. I am very lucky that I have a cancer where there are many treatment options. I am very blessed. The ultimate goal and aim is still the same. Be cancer free and stay cancer free. But I have definitely had some anxiety about everything. On top of that because of the Chemo I had not been feeling very well so it was easier for me to get down about things. I found myself worrying about random things constantly. I would go several hours and not think about things but then some thought would pop into my head and I would start worrying again. Worrying and doubt and fear are like seeds that get planted into your head. Once you go down that route the seed grows like a weed and begins to fester in your mind. It can be consuming.

By Friday I felt better physically and that gave me a boost mentally too. I can be hard to be uplifting and positive all of the time when your not feeling the best and so when you are feeling good you really need to take advantage of it. It was like I had a switch go off in my head over the weekend. I need to stop worrying about things that I have no control over. All I can do is just stay positive, pray and take it one day at a time. Sure there are going to be times when I am anxious or fearful but it does no good for me to worry. I literally am going no where by worrying. Worrying can pretty much hinder your ability to do everything if you let it. I prayed for strength and talked with family, friends and my wonderful wife and came to the conclusion that I just need to let go of all my worries because it was not letting me do the one thing that I have been trying to do this whole time and that it keep the faith. I needed to focus on one thing at a time, live for today and just be happy. If I did those three things then no matter what I will have a positive mindset.

My mom always says that we need to "Let Go and Let God". What that means is that we need to give our cares and worries up to God. Worry about nothing and instead pray about everything.

Don't worry be happy!

Brian Pritchard