Today was a memorable day with some friends and Dan. We have done some great adventures in years past and I offered to take Dan on another one last week. He responded quickly and specifically Monday morning with call and request to go to a new zip line park in Sevierville. We went TODAY! Joined by Jan, three sons (Scott, Rob and Kevin with buddy Jason), and friends Mike Carroll, Scott Baker, Chuck Witkowski and Daniel Martin. Altogether, the 6 zip lines spanned over 2 miles and the longest one was 1400 feet (the longest in the US!). If you click the photos below, you can get a glimpse of the team and a couple of action shots! It was great having some friend and family time in the midst of a challenging season.
“Today is the day the Lord has made - let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
I could not help but look at the fine sons Dan and Jan have raised and the multitude of good experiences we have shared and not rejoice in the day. Hats off to Jan who demonstrated shes not just another pretty face - she’s pretty daring! And Daniel too, as he was the first one to step up on the first platform and go for it, just daring the rest of us older guys to get with it. Dan had a great day, seemed in good spirits and also physically kept up with everyone. I would not expect different, knowing the trooper that he is.
Yesterday, Dan and Jan flew to Duke Medical Center with the aid of a plane provided by Steve Hall (this eliminated the need for an overnight stay to make the arrangements - thanks Steve). The doctor anticipates a regimen of chemo and radiation treatments that maybe taken at any of a number of places, but he stated that every center treats cancer differently as the formula is not really completely known. Dan gave a call to my college roommate turned pathologist to seek more information and got a couple of contacts at Vanderbilt that may be a source for treatment.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) the UT Medical Board will review all of Dan’s information and will present to him Thursday a treatment plan. At the same time, Dan has heard some ideas about nutrition from family and friends that may also offer potential. He continues to gather information and consider the next steps - but all of this is being done under the cover of prayer, faith and the sustainance of many friends and an awesome God.
Dan says thanks to all of you for the prayers, emails and posts. I can see in his eyes how much this community of support means to him. Prayer requests: 1) Wisdom for the doctors in their treatment recommendations, 2) Discernment for any dietary or nutricianal approach that may be helpful among the hundreds mentioned on the internet, 3) Peace and faith to remain strong for Dan and his family.