Papaw's visit from WV

Matt's Dad, a.k.a. Papaw, came in for the week after Matt's surgery. Being that he and Memaw live so far away, we don't have the luxury of seeing them very often. Since the invention of skype our kids get to "see" them on the computer almost every week. Paul came out to help with the patient. Matt was worried that he wouldn't be able to do much with his Dad, but his quick recovery allowed for lots of good times this past week. It mostly consisted of watching basketball. We are so very grateful that he took a week to come into our crazy world for a few days. I love my father-in-law.

More than we could ask or imagine....

Ephesians 3:20-21

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory...."

Today was Matt's post-op appointment with his doctor, exactly 1 week from surgery. The doctor kept saying over and over again how amazed he was that Matt was healing so fast after such a major surgery. He did go over the pathology reports with us. They didn't find any cancer in the lymph nodes and salivary gland that he removed; however, the doctor believes Matt should still radiate the area (as well as his tongue) to "get ahead of the cancer". The best way he explained it to us was the cancer is like a dandelion. He pulled it out at the root and by the root, but doesn't mean that pieces of it didn't go anywhere else. Matt needs to do the radiation to kill any of the seeds that might have planted in his mouth or neck. The doctor removed the steri strips from Matt's neck, so we got the first look at his incision. Matt's doctor is a plastic surgeon, so he did a great job in sewing Matt up. I don't think his incision will even be noticeable in a few weeks.

I think about this very time last week and Matt was in pain and absolutely miserable. We had no idea what the week was going to have in store. We had no idea how much speech would remain for Matt. I remember sitting in the hospital room just waiting for him to be more alert to hear him try to talk. When he did become more alert, I was able to tell him that the doctor only had to take the margins once which meant, he took the least amount of his tongue that he could have. Matt just gave me a thumbs up in his drug induced state. :)

I am so blessed to report that Matt is doing great! Due to his love for food, he's been trying to sample almost every dish that has come to our house the last 3 days. He has to take it slow and very small bites and his taste buds aren't quite up to par, but he can eat! He also is speaking remarkably well. I really can't believe how well he is speaking. He can't wait to go to church on Sunday!

From here.....Matt will most likely start radiation in 3 weeks. He has one more appointment where his doctor will release him to start the radiation therapy. As he started looking at the calendar today, he immediately pointed out that Easter would fall before week 3 which is when the pain that comes with the therapy will most likely start. He really wants to be able to speak on Easter.

All I can really say is that WE ARE BLESSED! God has given us strength to get through this first portion of this journey. Even in the moments when I felt like I couldn't take another step, God did something, sent someone, or led me to Scripture to remind me He is here with us.

My Rock

Matt is doing much better today. He is up and around and even playing video games! One huge blessing is that his speech sounds pretty good for the type of surgery he just had. I was encouraging him this morning on how well he was speaking. That was one of his biggest fears was not being able to speak and be understood. At this point, his tongue is still very swollen, so his speech is slurred and it is painful for him to speak, but I can understand him!! Praise God! He had a much better night of sleep without the neck drain. He even tried eating some pudding and yogurt last night. Since Friday, all he had consumed was water, iced tea and liquid medicine.

We have been blessed by so many cards, messages, etc. We even received a beautifully made comfort quilt and Matt's favorite, a Packers blanket. It has been such an encouragement to us and especially Matt.

A very dear friend sent this ornament to me. She encouraged me to lay my head on the "Rock". Her note was so uplifting to me. I have been trying to be strong for my husband, my family, my kids, the people around me. This strength is not from me. I can't rely on my own strength. It's from God. He is my Rock and my Refuge in time of trouble. He is with us every step of the way. The last couple of days have been especially difficult seeing Matt so discouraged and in so much pain. God wants me to lift my eyes back to Him and lean on Him.

Psalm 62:6

He alone is my ROCK and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

No church for us today

This is the first Sunday in a VERY long time that we weren't in church. Matt is having a rough day today. He was feeling a little perky yesterday afternoon, but this morning he felt pretty miserable. We met the doctor at his office this morning to remove his drain. He removed the drain and said things look well. The doctor said day 2-3 is the worst and that he normally keeps patients in the hospital for 3-4 days after this surgery. He just knew Matt would rest better at home.

We will go back to the doctor on Friday for the post-op visit. He should have the results from the labs on the lymph nodes and salivary gland they took from Matt's neck. If those results come back as cancerous, they would just use stronger localized radiation to kill those cells.

It is so sad to not see Matt smiling. He's always smiling and laughing at something. I told him that this morning and he tried to crack a half crooked smile at me. I love him.

Matt gets to go home!

The doctor came by and checked in on my sweet patient. He is pleased with Matt's progress and apologized for beating him up so bad. :) He removed 20-30% of his tongue during surgery. He was unable to remove the drain from his neck yet. He wants to leave it in for another 24 hours. I asked the doctor how many stitches Matt had and he replied, "tons". His neck is very sore.

Matt is ready to be home in his own bed. We look forward to being discharged in the next hour. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Good Morning 7:45am

"We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us;
we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."
C. S. Lewis

Matt is doing as well as can be expected. He is much more alert this morning. He is very swollen in his tongue and neck which makes it difficult to drink, talk, etc. He is drinking water a little easier this morning. He is still sleeping a lot. His doctor is supposed to come by this morning to remove the drain from his neck. The drain was placed there to catch any infection or "garbage" coming from the surgery. Normally, this is the job of your lymph nodes. They act as little trash cans for the things that drain from your mouth. That's why when you're sick your lymph nodes get swollen and sore. This drain is keeping all the "yucky stuff" (yes, that's a medical term) from his neck and lymph nodes. As long as the doctor thinks things look well, he should be released to go home later today.

Evening update 8:45pm

Matt is in ICU for the evening. Because of the surgery on his neck, they want to keep a close eye on him and his airway. He is in a lot of pain right now and trying to sleep. This crazy husband of mine is already trying to talk. :) I bet that doesn't surprise you much.

I sit here so relieved that this part of the journey is over. It seemed like forever waiting in the waiting room and then waiting to be reunited with Matt after the doctor came to tell me the surgery was complete. Now, it's onto recovery, which I know my big, burly husband will be a trooper.

I want to thank everyone for praying. We were absolutely blown away by Facebook messages, emails, texts, phone calls, etc. The love that pours from the family of God is so soothing. What a privilege to know that our family was being lifted to the throne of the Most High God today all over the world, literally. It gives me goosebumps. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Please continue to pray for Matt. I hate to see him in pain. Pray that he will fully regain his speaking ability. God is not finished with this boy yet!

Surgery is Complete

Matt is now out of surgery. The doctor removed what he thought was about 7 lymph nodes. He removed all the cancer in the first set of margins from his tongue. He has a drain placed in his neck temporarily. He should be released some time tomorrow.

Let's Get This Party Started

Matt was rolled into the Operating Room at 1:20 this afternoon. It will be at least a 3 hour wait from here.

The doctor marking Matt's neck for incisions

Simon Peter's Surf Club

I was getting Payton dressed yesterday in his "Simon Peter's Surf Club" shirt. He always asks what his shirt says. I told him and asked him if he knew who Peter was. He said he wasn't sure so I began telling him the story. As I got to the part where Peter gets out of the boat, he says, "Oh, I remember. Peter stopped looking for Jesus and he sunk in the water."

I have to admit as my sweet 4 year old said that, I got goose bumps. He had just given me a revelation for the day. In all of the uncertainty of life, the moment we take our eyes off of Jesus, we sink. We go under. We can't take a breath. We can't see the light of day anymore. I admit I have those moments everyday. My thoughts get away from me. My fear overcomes me. My anxiety consumes me. Then, I have to look up and put my eyes on Jesus again. He is still there and ready for me to hand the burdens and the weight of what I'm carrying back over to Him. Sometimes it's foggy and it's so hard to see Jesus, but He's there. Don't stop looking for Jesus.

Last Sermon-March 6, 2011

So anyone who knows Matt is fully aware that he doesn't take many things seriously. He has been joking about his "last supper", etc. for a while now. Well, this Sunday was his "last sermon".

This Sunday Matt got up with as much fervor as ever to share the Word of God. He had just gotten back from Catalyst West Conference where he and thousands of church leaders were filled up and encouraged. It couldn't have come at a better time. It was as if he had so much to say knowing he wouldn't be able to speak in the weeks to come. I am so proud of him. He has stayed focused on the vision of our church through all of this. Whether he is there or not, the people of Rio Rancho, NM need to be reached with the good news that God loves them.

Nerves have set in for Matt. All the "what if's" are creeping in as the surgery day approaches. I've found myself waking up in the middle of the night and wondering what it will be like after Friday. We're planning for family to come in and getting things done around the house that Matt won't be able to do after surgery.

I have no doubt in my mind that God is right here with us. In my own life, I have had several "victories in Jesus" almost as if to give me a boost of confidence and a net of support for what is to come. Yesterday day, I heard Mercy Me's song, "Bring the Rain", in the car. I found myself crying as I listened to the lyrics. I've heard it so many times before, but this time I sang along as a declaration of my own heart. I was all alone in the car, which is rare, so I just belted out even though there was pain in the offering. Whatever God chooses to walk us through, we will give Him the glory. He has paid a far bigger price for us.

"Bring the Rain"

by Mercy Me

I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of the dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Music City-Nashville, TN

A friend of ours from college, Scott Brownson, who played college ball with Matt and was in our wedding, is recording a Worship CD. He invited me to come out and lay down some background vocals for his CD. What a once in a lifetime experience! I had such a great time learning about the process and cannot wait to hear the finished product. Check out his website: http://www.scottbrownsonmusic.com/

Scott and producer, Paul Coleman (from Paul Coleman trio/Newsboys)
It was not all work. Matt and I were so blessed to get away for a couple of days during the craziness of life right now. What a blessing to spend some much needed, uninterrupted time together. We checked out all Nashville had to offer. We went to downtown Nashville and walked the MusicCity Walk of Fame. We saw the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ol' Opry. And....we visited "Cooter's" a museum full of history from...The Dukes of Hazard. Oh yeah. Unfortunately, the General Lee was out for repairs, but we did get to see Daisy's jeep, Cooter's Tow Truck and Roscoe's police car. Fun stuff!

Scott's wife, Carla (one of my long-time college friends) and baby Cooper

Hanging in the studio

Radiation Consultation

Today, I sat in a patient room (with my husband) being educated on radiation therapy for cancer patients. I learned that a patient can only be treated once in a particular area. Matt’s radiation treatments will be localized to his neck and through his cheek to his tongue. After this course of treatments, that will last 5 days a week for 6 weeks, he will never be able to have radiation again in that area. A metal/mesh mask will be made to fit his face/head to keep his head still while he is in his treatments.

The doctor walked us through each step of the process. Then, she started speaking of side effects. I huge lump formed in my throat and tears filled my eyes when she told Matt that after 2-3 weeks of treatments, he will be in total pain. His mouth will be filled with blisters at the area of treatment and the outside of his face and neck will be much like a horrible sunburn. Before I could even clear my throat to speak, Matt asked how he was going to be able to preach. The doctor just shook her head. She said it will be extremely painful and that head and neck radiation was the hardest treatment to endure. I literally just sat stunned knowing exactly what my self-less husband, pastor of Paragon Church, was thinking. How was he going to do what God has called him to do?

Lots of people have been asking how I am doing. I’ll be honest, I am sick to my stomach over all of this. I have lots of fears, questions, and even a cry fest almost every day. I am human and someone I love with every ounce of my being is hurting. It breaks my heart to see what my husband has to endure over the next few months. But even in my sadness, I have to remember where my hope comes from. I cannot “grieve like people who have no hope” (I Thessalonians 4:13-15) We serve a mighty God that could rid Matt’s body of every cancer cell IF that was HIS WILL. God has a magnificent plan for my Matt Sellers and it’s far from over. God will be glorified and all honor will be given to Him. We sang a song in church on Sunday and I keep singing this truth over and over this week.

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer awesome in power
Our God, our God

Psalm 16:8

I know the Lord is always with me.

I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

Results from CT scan

The doctor called last night after hours with results from Matt's CT scan on Tuesday. He said that a 9mm spot showed up in the same area as on the PET scan and that it was on a lymph node. He is not 100% sure this is cancer, but doesn't want to take any chances. His words were, "I want to get agressive with this cancer before it gets agressive with you."

So, the plan from here....
The surgery will be rescheduled. We should know the date by the end of today. The surgery will be a more intrusive surgery including a selective neck dissection that will remove any lymph nodes that need to be taken out. He may also remove Matt's salivary gland, because of where the spot is on the scans.

This isn't quite the news we were hoping for, but still thankful the cancer seems to be localized. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

More testing

Today was Matt’s CT scan. This test should show exactly what it was that was highlighted on the PET scan. We should have results by tomorrow afternoon. Then, Thursday, Matt goes in for his Radiation Consultation.

Over the last few days, we have had some serious conversations. God has provoked thoughts in my mind and drawn me closer to Him. My human nature asks all the questions: Why? Why NOW? Why Matt? I have struggled with the thoughts of Matt having to go through all of this again…the surgery, the pain, the recovery. Then, I am reminded that I don’t need to know “why”. I simply need to trust God.

I have been reading about Job and what he experienced. Job had literally lost it all. Job 1:20 says, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.’” When, he was at the end of the rope, Job still praised God. God has given us this life…our health…everything. He gives and he can take away. This does not mean that God is looking down on us trying to make our lives miserable. He is just. He is sovereign. He is a jealous God who wants us to be fully devoted to Him. Our life, health, stuff is His for the taking.

The thing that drew me to Matt when we first started dating was his smile. He was always smiling, laughing and having fun. While the news last Monday took his breath away, he woke up Tuesday morning ready to fight this battle….with a smile. Spending time with him, you would not know he was sick or in pain, because he’s always smiling. He has told me and others countless number of times that God knows what He is doing. I am so proud of him.

PET scan results

Today, we visited Matt's doctor. The doctor checked the healing of the areas where he had biopsied last week. He also had received the results from the PET scan. The scan showed a spot under Matt's jaw line. The highlighted area seems to be in a muscle right behind a salivary gland. The doctor is very optimistic that it is just irritation and swelling from the biopsy from last week; however, he doesn't want to guess. He has ordered a head/neck CT scan for Matt next week. As long as the CT scan comes back clean, surgery will remain on March 8th. The doctor said he would remove up to 1/2 of what's left of Matt's tongue (about 1/4 was taken out 5 years ago). He did say that because of the tongue being a muscle that it most likely will regenerate a little bit. The tongue muscle also heals quickly. IF, for some reason, something else shows on the CT scan, surgery would be rescheduled due to a more complex procedure where he would do a selective neck dissection to remove lymph nodes on that side of Matt's neck.

We are praising the Lord that the cancer doesn't seem to be anywhere else in his body. This is an aggressive form of quick moving cancer cells, so we were relieved to see that his organs are all healthy. We are so overwhelmed at the number of people, literally all over the world, praying for us. Thank you so much for your compassion for us. What a special blessing to our family. Matt is in great spirits, as he usually is. He is just ready to get this party started AND finished. :)

Matt's "feel better" toy

Have you ever gotten a special treat or surprise for your sick child...you know, to help them feel better? Well, consider this Matt's "feel better" toy. Right now, we are a one car family, so Mr. Baker loaned Matt a vehicle so that he could travel in style to all of his appointments today. It's a 2010 Shelby GT 500 Mustang with 540hp. (Matt made me add that last line).

Matt had his PET scan today. This procedure is one where radioactive dye is injected into his bloodstream to locate any possible cancer cells in his entire body. He had to lay still in a tube for 45 minutes the first round and 10 more minutes the second time. After completing the scan, he had a blood draw as well as a chest x-ray to prepare him for his upcoming surgery. The PET scan tech said that they would rush his results, so that we should have them tomorrow at his appointment with his doctor. We should have much more information following tomorrow's doctor's visit.

February 14th, 2011

I had no idea before the day started what Valentine's would bring for our family. It started just like years past. We had special goodies for the kids and Matt and I had placed our cards on the kitchen table for each other. A part of what Matt wrote in my card read, "We have been through so much together and I would not have had any other woman by my side through it all." There was a lot of other mushy stuff too. :) I still get the little butterflies from all the sweet things he says to me. I had no idea what the rest of the day would hold for us and our family and that we were getting ready to embark on a whole new chapter in our love story.

Monday is Matt's day off. He kept Maylee at home and I had taken Payton in the morning to go on his special date to the aquarium. We looked at the fish and had a fun lunch next to the big shark tank. I was standing in the kitchen telling Matt all about our time at the aquarium when the phone rang.

Matt looked at the caller ID and said, "well, this is it". It was his doctor. We had waited all weekend for the results from a biopsy he had taken on Friday. Matt listened as the doctor gave him the news we were dreading. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and gave me a thumbs down. Everything stood still for a moment. He kept listening intently to what the doctor was saying. He asked a few questions and then the doctor ended the call leaving us to sift through the thoughts and emotions that were to follow. My big and strong husband melted into a vunerable, weak ball of emotions. He just shook his head not knowing what to say or do. We held each other. We cried. We cried some more. We questioned what the next few months would be like for our family and our church.

Our Valentine's Day was the beginning of a new journey that God is going to carry us through. We fully trust in our God. I have no doubt in my mind that Matt is going through this, because God knows that Matt will unselfishly give God the glory through this trial. Our God is good all the time.

Our 3 Valentines :)

We decided several years ago that we would take the opportunity to spend extra special one-on-one time with each of our kids during the month of February. We let them pick what they would like to do for their special date. Christy takes the boys and Matt takes his princess. It was so fun to see how excited they each were as their "date day" approached.

Mom and Camden went for Super Saturday at Putt-Putt golf. We got to play in the arcade and have 2 rounds of golf. Then we went out for lunch at Taco Bueno.

Maylee Grace and Daddy went to the mall. They went into Johnny Rocket's to share an Oreo milkshake. Then, they went over to Build-a-Bear where Maylee Grace picked a cat to stuff. Then, they finished the date off with a ride on the carousel.
Payton and Mommy went to the aquarium. The highlight of his morning was petting the sting rays and baby sharks. Then, they had lunch at the Shark Reef Cafe where they got to sit right next to the shark tank.

Super Bowl Victory Day

What a fun day! It was a blast having a team we love be in the Super Bowl. We spent the big day with our friends the Bakers and Brownsons. We had lots of yummy food, fun and cheering on the Packers!

Joslyn, baby Cooper, Bryson, Camden and Payton playing video games.

Brooklyn, Maylee Grace and Lauren enjoying their own movie while we watched the game.

Scott, baby Cooper, Matt and David

Jan, Christy and Carla

My Packer's Princess

My little Packer Backers