Another Update!

It has been a month since the brain tumors were found. I think back to that day, and it feels like a year ago! I can't believe how much life has been lived in one month.

On January 4th, 2009, we got a fresh start. Just a few days earlier, my dad and I sat on our heat storage unit in our basement (one way we can warm up in the cold!), and I asked him "Daddy, what are you excited for this year?". I looked at the pain in his eyes, and he said "I honestly can't think of anything....how about you?". As a chatty daughter, I went on and on about the things I was excited for, and asked him "Aren't you excited for those things too?". He just looked tired, and gave me a half smile. This wasn't my father. It wasn't the man that throughout my whole life had been genuinely filled with excitement about the littlest things. This was a man that was tired. Exhaustion was written on his face, on all of his features. He was not looking forward to anything about 2009.

That all changed after January 4th. I just reminded him a few days ago about our conversation on January 1st. I asked him again "Daddy, now what are you excited for this year?". And the list went on and on, with light in his eyes instead of pain, with excitement in his voice instead of exhaustion. He has become a new man. He wakes up refreshed every morning, whereas before he would wake up because of intense pain. I can't tell you how amazing it is to see his cheery face so early in the morning (and throughout the whole day!). He has such a positive attitude, even though some could view this as the worst thing in the world. Even though he has been through much pain, and will continue to, it is God that defines him, and not his ailments. I am filled with so much love and pride for him as a daughter! I cried last night thinking about the overwhelming love I have for him, and God just said "Sheena, its not even CLOSE to my love for him!".

Dad spoke at Sheldon Church of Christ on Sunday, on some things he's learned in this last month. If you would like to hear the message, you can visit: http://www.sheldonchurch.com/sermon-archive. Dad also has a new blog, to post some of his older messages, as well as some new thoughts. If you would like to see the blog, it can be found at: http://kevinbaughman.blogspot.com/

We thank you so much for your prayers and support, the amazing comments you've left and cards you've sent. If it weren't for the wonderful community God has placed us in, this would be a much tougher circumstance!

Things to pray about:

- Dad starts treatments on Thursday, both radiation & chemo at the same time.

- Dad has finally been able to taste food, and this is such a blessing! Its hard to understand how something so simple can be SO valuable, and we'd like prayers for his taste and appetite during treatments.

- Dad still has double vision, although he's found when he tips his head way down, the images come together into one! We are praying for all the circuits to "weld" together again soon!

- We pray that the treatments zap this cancer, and that it will be completely gone! We know God is SO much bigger than cancer!

“My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.”
(Psalm 63:8)