Calling All Prayers!

Trav at Carpio Christmas 2006 - this picture does not do his plate justice. No, your eyes are not deceiving you, and yes, it is a large PLATE of ice cream. The plate was loaded with twist ice cream, brownies, whip cream, cake, and if my memory serves me correctly, gummy worms. I'd like to think the red stuff is strawberries since that would be a far cry from nutritional, but at least a slight attempt at healthy???

As I write at this moment, Travis is at the hospital having all his pre-op procedures done. I am overcome with tears and gratitude to my Father and also my Lord above for helping him get to this point. It is hard to think of that dreadful day on October 11th when we found out that Trav had cancer. It is also hard to imagine what he went through. There were weeks before chemo that he could not eat and seriously starved, and then there were the days after chemo that he cannot remember because he was so dehydrated and sick with nausea. These are amongst a hundred other things most of us have never experienced. Thank you Trav for sticking with it even in those rare and small moments that you didn't want to. Thank you for doing it for my aunt, Karianne, whom I love so much. She could not live without you. We have often talked about how lucky she and I are that we have such great husbands who are also amazing Dads and all around nice guys. Thank you for doing it for your children and all the people who love you. Your courage and positive attitude is truly admirable!

I am asking all who read this to pray for Trav this week as he goes into surgery on Wednesday. He will have two surgeons who will remove part of his esophagus and stomach and then they will reattach what's left. The surgery is scary and has only been performed by the main surgeon 10 times because most people with esophageal cancer don't make it to this point. It will take approximately 6 hours but Trav and Kari are upbeat about this. They have felt and have been comforted by your prayers for months. THANK YOU!

I feel like all I'm doing is saying thanks, but I have to say, thank you to Kari also. You have also shown undying strength and faith through all this. Your reliance on the Savior from the beginning and your gratitude to him has restored plus increased my faith and testimony more than you'll ever know. I really needed it and though I wish I could've gotten it another way, I got it just the same. I'll never regret the good many hours you practiced the 'perfectly tight' french braid on my hair (ouch!), or when you were about 10 and you put Gramps' car in reverse and took us for a little ride at which time we were probably listening to Leif Garrett or Jack & Diane, and especially our latest MB/RB endeavors. You have been a picture of strength my whole life and you get me, that's why I love you. One of the hardest things was literally watching your heart break at the possibility of what could've happened. I'm glad it's nearly back together. One more obstacle girl and you guys will have made it. Thanks again for letting me be there (even though it wasn't that often), and for you & Trav's support the minute we found out about T.

So enough of the sappy and let's go troops, put your knee pads on and start up your prayers again!! I will update after surgery and we will try once again to get Karianne's blog going.


One of my favorite pictures - Karianne & Emm's - Such beautiful ladies!