Up to Speed.

So this is us.  The Fairs.  And we're preparing for  an adventure that we're not really chosing but we're still being asked to get ready for.
If you're here -- you know that in July, our Family Doc (Patrick Holly -- who we LIKE A LOT) found a suspicious "something" in Suze's belly.  Later that month we found out it is a tumor in/on the pancreas.  Early pathology was hopeful -- the tissue that was sampled was not cancerous.  However, our surgeon (Alan Yahanda - who we like too, but we just don't know him that well yet!) feels like the tumor needs to come out.  This is the only way to know FOR SURE what we're up against.

Surgery has been scheduled for Oct 7 and it's a "doozey" (as Grandpa Jim would say).  6-8 hours in the O.R., then another 10-14 days in the hospital, and then another 2-4 weeks at home.  If you're into these kinds of things, the surgery is called the Whipple.

As you can imagine, all this has been a bit overwhelming.
With the time we've had to prep -- we've been getting our house in order, literally.
Cleaning, purging, preparing.
And our community has STEPPED up to help us figure out ways to continue to function as a family -- in all the practical and not-so-practical ways!
Our bosses (Wayne & Dave) have said to both Kelly & I, "you do whatever you need -- we'll take care of things here".  So grateful.
Our teams are generously picking up our loads on top of theirs (thank you Gordon, Gwen, Kirk, JoeC, Mars, Deb, Bill, Keith, Laura).
Our niece Amy has generously volunteered to take time off from her work in North Carolina and come be with us.
Jill Vardaman @FMC will be making sure our crew is getting fed.
Joy Sondag has volunteered to gather some gals & come clean our house (of course Suze made Kelly help clean it first!).
Jess Petry helped us find just the right Anesthesiologist (Did you know you can request? Thank you Carol Harrigan)
Dr. Holly answered all our practical questions (all 14 times we asked them).
Suze's sister Dawn is taking some of her 76 sick days and coming to sit on the porch with me at the end of the month.
Suze's parents are here in town and have (and will continue to) provide tons of emotional/physical/spiritual support.
Our Elders @FMC lead a beautiful service of annointing.
Our friends are praying.
And many will be with Kelly on surgery day.


Friends, here's what I know...
God is the boss of me.
He breathed life into me while I was in my mother's womb and
He is the only one who gets to decide when I'm done.
So, I walk into this procedure -- and whatever is on the other side of it -- clear on this...
God couldn't love me any more than he does right now.
And that Love -- a love that will not let me go -- I trust that.

Please check back here for updates throughout the next couple of months.

We are so honored that you would share this part of the journey with us.

Grateful,
Suze