Update #2 - 4/28/23

How is it Friday already?? This has been a week of many mixed emotions for us: fear mixed with hope, anxiety mixed with trust, sorrow mixed with purpose. Time has seemed to stand still while simultaneously slipping through our fingers. We have felt this compelling urgency to seize the few days remaining before everything changes, while also feeling paralyzingly overwhelmed by the unknown of what lies ahead of us.

We do have some news we’d like to share with you all. Luke and Jenny have worked super hard to delegate our responsibilities and coordinate our support. They have built a website for us that will serve as a hub for everything from material support to updates. I will try to post something on Facebook when there is an update, but www.walkwiththewitts.com will be the best place to get the most up-to-date information.

We were able to speak with the oncologist this week and learn some things about what’s next. They will want to do a PET scan as soon as possible, and Kara will definitely have to go through chemotherapy treatments. We still don’t understand it all, but due to several factors, there is a high risk of spread. Although chemo is another scary word we didn’t want to hear, this type of cancer will require it. I’m resisting sharing anything regarding prognosis because we really won’t know anything concrete until after we’ve had our appointment, and even then I’m sure without the scan, there will be limits to what can be known. Monday will be our first actual appointment with the oncologist. Pray that we will have clarity of mind for all the questions we want to ask and all things we will need to learn and understand.

Unsurprisingly, before they can start any of that, the first order of business is to extract the bun from the oven! So, on Monday evening we will go to the hospital to begin the induction process. Kara will be 37 weeks along next week, so please pray that her body cooperates and that everything goes smoothly. You can enter your wagers for the gender and time the baby will be born at https:/gg.bet/walkwiththewitts (just kidding!)

We have been trying to maximize our time together and with our girls these last few days before our lives change. It’s hard to know how we may wish we had spent this time later, but we are trying our best to be present in the moment with our kids and give them the opportunity to ask questions and voice their fears. This is very heavy for them, and it is hard to watch them wrestle with what lies ahead. Pray that we will guide them to it and through it well. As my mom has often reminded me over the years about many things: “There’s no way out but through.”

I want to say thank you to all who have sent texts or left encouraging voicemails. Even though we aren’t able to respond to them all, we treasure each one in our hearts. In particular, we have some questions for those who have walked this road before us. If you (or your wife) have been through breast cancer, and you’d be willing to offer some wisdom or advice, please send us a message at hello@walkwiththewitts.com. We have come up with a list of questions we’d like to ask you, but would prefer to have those conversations privately. Again, thank you all so much for your help and support!

May God be glorified by the testimony of His faithfulness in our time of need!