Happy Mother’s Day! And I’m a happy mother because I spent time with both of my daughters – I was at home with Molly in Hattiesburg today before flying to Houston to be with Maggie and Phil. I’m relieving Phil to allow him to travel home tomorrow. Molly and I were able to share a little extra time, and I took care of some issues on the home front this past week. Phil took Maggie to her clinic appointments Thursday. With lab, exam and a treatment, it was a 12 hour day for them. Maggie tolerated the treatment well and, after a rest-filled Friday and Saturday, is now out of bed working word search puzzles as I type.
We do have reasonable suspicion (from rising CEA tumor marker and a swollen lymph node) that the clinical trial drug is not being effective. In other words, we’re prepared for Maggie’s CT scan on the 23rd to show disease progression. Maggie’s team has already identified a new clinical trial that targets one of her known gene mutations (identified in DNA testing) as a possible option. We hope to meet with the Phase I clinical trial group to learn more about this trial Tuesday. If we decide to commit to it, her participation in the current trial may come to an end (it all depends on “wash” period requirements). Another option may be a return to a standard chemotherapy she has not been given in the last year or two. Colon cancer is one of the few cancers with a good number of 1st and 2nd line therapies that can be used in different combinations at various points in treatment. A third option is finding a clinical trial at UAB.
Even if we didn’t have a list of options, we’re not losing heart. We’re praying and trusting our Lord to make this path abundantly clear. God has shown me more than once (many times more) that worrying about one day in the future is futile and life-wasting. Our opportunity to bring glory to Him is found in one day alone. Today. Precious minutes spent raking tomorrow’s challenges into the present is unredeemed time at its worst. We’re praying to remain focused on the joys in each moment while preparing for the next phase – wherever and whenever it takes us.
Remember my Irises? I wrote about them in 2014. I had planted them in 2010 and waited four years until shortly after Maggie’s diagnosis to finally see them bloom for the first time. Subsequent years brought no more blooms. I finally decided they needed a change of soil – a new home where they weren’t competing with the towering pines sharing their flower bed. So I moved them a few months ago and resigned myself to a 2019 bloom. My sojourning flowers needed a break, I thought. Time to rest. Sink roots. Expand their stalks to capture life-giving sun before I could possibly expect them to flourish again. Well, this April – delayed by cool temps and the rigors of an out-of-season move – my irises bloomed again. Splendidly. Abundantly. Gloriously. 
We don’t always have much to do with the soil in which we’re dropped. We may experience years of drought and want. And that is ok. If we’re in the center of His will, parched soil will yield a garden of His making. And if He sees fit, we’ll sojourn to new ground to offer our grandest praise to Him.
Thank you for prayers and encouragement. They bring water to roots and sun to leaves. We’ll keep you posted as the coming days unfold and make clear our direction. We love you.
I am always inspired by your posts. Praying for God’s will to be revealed. ❤️????????????????
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your heart and words in this journey! Love you and thankful for the person you are.
Continued fervent prayers for Maggie’s healing journey and Happy Wonderful mother’s Day To you Melissa!God Bless Ya’ll!
Happy Mother’s Day. Praying as decisions are made.
We love y’all so much. Praying daily for His
Guidance.
Praying the Lord will make your path abundantly clear. Love to all
Happy mother’s day Melissa!!! So thankful you were able to spend time with both your girls!!! Praising God that we can put our faith and trust in Him and that we don’t have to lose heart because He ultimately has control of it all!!! Thank you for ALWAYS pointing us back to Christ and sharing a Christ centered perspective!! We will have troubles in this world but we don’t have to lose heart because we know THE ONE who has overcome the world!!! Continued prayers for clear direction in treatment, comfort for Maggie, and peace!!! Much love from the Mills Fam ❤️
Keep the faith. Lots of love and hugs sent your way.
Happy Mother’s Day, Praying for good results and Godly opportunities.????????❤️
What a blessing you are!! Thank you for your wonderful posts and updates. God is faithful!! Hugs!
Melissa, I learn so much from you, my friend!
The Iris is beautiful. Like the Iris there is always hope that another kind of treatment might work. And we do know that all things are possible through HIM. You all have been so strong & faithful. I will continue to pray for Maggie & the family as you care for her. ????????
Continued prayers ????????????????????????
We continue o pray knowing God is in control.
Praying daily for Maggie.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for your transparency. Continued prayers for all of you.
I continue to learn about faith from Maggie’s through your eloquent words that create pictures in my mind and heart. Continuing to pray Maggie and you and Phil as you pray for wisdom in decisions to come.
Tenacity….
Beautiful post, Melissa! It will be my devotion this morning! I continue in my prayers to lift Maggie and her family before the throne of God. God bless you all!
Been thinking about and praying for you all. Love you guys.
Praying the path will be clear and sure. Love and blessings
I am a long time friend of Gay and Billy. I have followed your journal your love and determination. Prayers for Maggie and whole family. Pray this new trial will work.