Baseball is the greatest game on Earth. The most significant, defining reason for its greatness is the one thing that makes baseball so unique.
There is no clock.
Baseball is a game whose cadence is set not by seconds and minutes, but by outs and innings. Three outs each side makes an inning; nine innings makes a game. It’s up to the players (and in some cases, Mother Nature) to decide how long the game will take.
And when it ends.
Katy, as it turns out, is pitching a masterpiece. Her chemo regimen began in spring training, and it will end on August 16. We know this because Katy’s first PET scan revealed a “complete metabolic response” (remission) and the second, undertaken last week, confirmed the result.
But as with any masterpiece, the pitcher will face challenges along the way. No game is completed without the threat of a game-changing hit by a scrappy opponent that refuses to accept defeat.
In our case, the confirming PET scan results have not obscured the fact that, every two weeks, Katy’s body is poisoned by a concoction of medicine designed to heal her. These bi-weekly medications have had a cumulative effect on her body. Fatigue, light-headedness, and nausea have been exacerbated by a vicious heat wave in Philadelphia that has made even her healthy husband feel the ill-effects.
The compounding effect of these treatments has taken its toll. Last week, we decided that the best remedy would be a leave of absence from Katy’s job. Her boss – an incredibly supportive, understanding woman – agreed that taking some time off was the right decision. For the next eight weeks, our primary focus will be on getting this beautiful woman healthy.
Both Katy and I continue to be amazed by the generosity of our friends and family. Your consistent love and support has sustained us through this difficult time. We are confident that God is working through you, and through us, in these challenging moments for a greater good that He will reveal in His time.
Nine innings in the book. Three to go.
In other news:
We have been so blessed with visits from friends and family. Most recently Katie and Natalie from OKC came to Philadelphia to see some of the greatest fireworks in the country. After quite an adventure we were able to enjoy a wonderful show.
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Erik and I also just moved into our new apartment in West Philadelphia, we'll post pictures soon.
Thank you for continuing to support and care for us, we couldn't do it without you.
Love,
Katy and Erik
