Our Family with Dr. Urba - by Ane

Last Tuesday we had to opportunity to take our children to meet Dr. Urba.  We had lunch together and he took us on a tour of the Providence Cancer Center Research Institute where we saw the labs and met some of the scientists behind the scene who are working diligently to find cures for cancer.  It was an awesome opportunity!

 Tyler & Kelsey, Eric & Jessie, Dr. Urba, Mark & Ane, Michael & Heather, Amanda & Jon
(Rachel & Tighe are in Idaho)

FYI Test Good - by Mark

We have such a wonderful Oncologist, Dr. Walter Urba; he is the head of the Provident Cancer Center here in Portland.  This center is part research and part treatment, a nice combination to keep everyone current and enthused about helping real people with serious health issues. 

We met with him mid-day this past Monday, and all seemed well — he was ready to let us go for another 4 months. However, we asked him about getting a chest X-ray to be sure.  He said I looked great but if we wanted one, it has been 6 months and the X-rays are not too invasive or expensive, so we could do it.  A couple hours later we got to the imaging location, did the X-ray and after shopping at Costco we got home to the email from Dr. Urba stating, “FYI – Test Good.”  So now I have been almost a year and a half tumor free and off the Zelboraf for a year.  We have been so blessed!!

In reality, we have been blessed in so many ways.  I have a wonderful wife and family, which keeps growing and getting more and more wonderful.  Our company is doing amazingly well.  We are enjoying a great culture, leading the industry and growing as fast as we can while maintaining the quality.  We served 34,000 individuals last year by planning their funerals ahead of need.  Their family’s lives will be so much easier and more peaceful when their loved one dies.  I have had the opportunity to serve in the Church and come to know that God lives and Jesus is the Christ — what true peace, joy, happiness and hope that has brought me.  I had no idea how wonderful it could feel.  I had no idea that prayer could be two-way.  It is so comforting to receive His counsel on so many things. 

We added a new tab to our blog, "Words of Comfort."  Throughout this journey, we have been comforted by words of scripture and inspiration.  They are now recorded under that tab.  We hope these words can be a source of comfort for others.

Thank you for your care and concern, your faith, good thoughts and prayers.