I'll admit it;  I cry at movies, often.  I haven't seen ET since it was first released and I will never watch Where the Red Fern Grows, ever.  I'm a sucker for feel good movies: Rocky still gets me, Remember The Titans......yep, and Miracle.  The 1980 Winter Olympics were to good to be true.  The outmanned and outgunned USA team, comprised of kids who had yet to wear out their first razor versus the evil empire USSR hockey team.  The Soviets were mature and had not been beaten in 15 years and the Americans hadn't beaten anyone yet. We were introduced to Jim Craig, Mike Eruzione and Herb Brooks; names I will never forget even though I was only 14 in 1980 and could care less about hockey. USA - 4, USSR - 3.  David had just slain the Giant. It was one of the moments that you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing as the infamous words of Al Michaels let us know that the impossible was occurring.  "Do you believe in miracles........................YES!"  I still get chills up my spine when I hear that exclamation. 

We met with the oncologists today to discuss the results of Payton's tests and formulate a plan to attack this tumor.  The tests confirmed what we had already been told-----the tumor is malignant and is called Ewing's Sarcoma (PNET).  It is a very aggressive bone cancer generally not found in someone as young as Payton.  We were blessed to find it early while it is small and that will work to our advantage.  The plan is to attack it with chemotherapy in 3-4 day spans every 3 weeks for 16 total weeks.  The hope is then it will be small enough to remove by surgery.  The surgeon is skeptical that he will be able to be remove it after chemo due to its location.  They feel it will still be way to dangerous to operate so close to major arteries.  They feel that radiation treatments will be needed prior to surgery.  The oncologists believes that Payton has a 65-75% chance of complete recovery.  That's a great batting average, but doesn't sound so good when its your son's life.  I have to admit that I was I filled with a peace that I did not expect.  That 'peace that passes all understanding' is real.  It's the gentle ripple of the Holy Spirit in times when you expect waves.  It's the wrapping of loving arms around you when you are expecting the squeeze that shortens your breath.  What a comfort it is to know that the creator of each of us and all things is in total control.  We continue to pray for complete healing, comfort and wisdom as we seek guidance in making some big decisions.  Please join us in that prayer.  And yes Al, you better believe we still do! YES!