Sinking In

So, I've never written a blog and haven't even read many belonging to others, but here goes.  I thought this may be a good way to keep everyone updated while keeping me off the phone and back to as much "normalcy" as possible with the kids and Jeremy.
We're three days out from "the news" and even though we're just entering the storm, Jeremy and I are confident we will come through the other side of this, as a good friend of mine put it, "shining for Christ".
Here's the background:
When Jeremy was about 18-years-old, he noticed a lump on his lower back.  He brought it to the attention of a doctor, who assured him it was a benign fatty cyst.  Jeremy has spent the last 15 years, bringing it up at occasional physical examinations, but not worrying much about it after continued reassurance of it's harmlessness.  The tumor didn't seem to grow or change and gave Jeremy no problems, other than annoyance.  A few weeks ago, Jeremy passed a kidney stone.  The first ever, for him.  And ironically, only a year after I passed a couple of my own.  Once Jeremy explained his pain to me and his brother (who has also passed several stones), he planned to do nothing but take some pain pills and pass it.  Our primary physician suggested Jeremy have a CT scan of his kidneys to confirm a kidney stone and check for how many there may be.  The radiologist reading the CT scan was more concerned with the picture he happened to get of this tumor on Jeremy's back than the kidney stone.  The radiologist suggested an MRI for a better look at the tumor and we were then referred to a specialist, Dr. Mark Scarborough at Shands Orthopaedics, who specializes in soft tissue tumors.  On Monday, Jeremy visited Scarborough with a copy of the CT and MRI.  Dr. Scarborough performed a biopsy and told us that statistically speaking, this has a greater chance of being benign than malignant, but that the picture looks suspicious.  Fast forward two hours, we're back with Dr. Scarborough discovering the biopsy came back as malignant and a soft tissue sarcoma.  A rare cancer of the soft tissues.
Yesterday (Wednesday), we received the pathology report that gave us more information:  This is a High Grade Lipo Sarcoma, Stage 2a.  It is common for sarcomas to spread to the lungs, so a CT scan was done on Jeremy's lungs the same day as the biopsy.  Unfortunately, there are a few tiny spots on his lungs.  It is very likely these spots are benign, but because of his Lipo Sarcoma, it is also a possible matastasis.  We will know more definitively in about 5 weeks with another scan of his chest.
The treatment plan as of today, is 4-5 weeks of radiation followed by 2-3 weeks of rest (when he will have another scan of his chest) and then removal of the tumor.  He will undergo radiation every day (maybe twice a day), five days a week, to kill the cancer, shrink the tumor and define clearer margins for the most efficient removal.
His first appointment will be tomorrow or Monday at the latest.  The actual radiation therapy may not begin until after Thanksgiving.
Depending on the results of the follow-up CT scan after radiation, he may undergo chemotherapy.
Right now, we're taking it step by step.
It was a very hard first two days for Jeremy and everyone who loves him.  However, I called every praying person I know (with the help of our family) and within hours of his diagnosis, HUNDREDS of prayers began. On Tuesday evening, Jeremy was overcome with a peace that passes all understanding... we know that is God's peace and comfort.
He woke up Wednesday morning with an attitude that is inspirational.  He's ready to fight it, kill it, and share his miraculous testimony with others.  I loved him already.  But I am inspired by him now.  He is holding tight to God's promises and trusting in a plan that is completely unknown to us right now!
I will continue to vent, pray, testify and share here as often as possible.  We're so thankful to have so much support through each step of this journey.  We know there are deep valleys ahead, but we will  take joy in these trials, mature our faith, and persevere!  Philippians 4:11-15