Awesome email from my boss!

Evening Tam...

I've been trying to figure out what to write for over an hour. I can't begin to know what you and Bryce must be dealing with...you, emotionally and him, physically and emotionally. It has been so obvious to me when I've had the pleasure of spending time with you both how much the 2 of you love each other and were meant to be together. You've been blessed - together- with a beautiful, healthy baby girl...with all that you have together, how can this be happening?

I'd give anything to be able to provide you with some pearl of wisdom or "deep truth" that would ease your mind or provide some glimmer of hope. However, I fear there is no answer to this question. There is no justification or explanation for the mountain the 2 of you are facing. My prayer for you both is that God would see fit to heal Bryce and allow you live a long, happy life together. I also hope and pray you will be able to continue to be strong, both for Bryce and Dani.

You're an amazing woman Tammy and have so much potential. You've been through a lot in your short life and because of those experiences you will always have the ability to reach and help others because of the path your life has taken. Where ever this path ultimately takes you, I hope you are able to stay who you are today.

I'll be back in Denver late Sunday night and will come see you sometime Monday. If you can think of anything you need just let me know.

Take care girl and give "Big Boy Bryce" a hug from me! Tell him I said that where I come from people that care about each other hug...and that's all I have to say about that!

-dan-

Can you tell we are loved by so many people? My company, AlloSource, has been so supportive and caring. Several of my coworkers visited our hospital room to cheer us up, bring us gifts, and take our minds off the horrible reality in which we were immersed. Incredible wingmen. (Ace, Big Poppa, Ricky Bobby and his wife, Sugar Glider, and Loofa. I love you guys!)

Reply to my friend Chris

We're hanging in there tonight, and our spirits are pretty low. Bob Garff came over to give blessings, and it was nice. He spoke about hope a lot. My dad is on this cancer like white on rice, and has tossed around the idea of going to the University of Colorado Cancer Center for treatment, because they are part of some Stage IV metastatic melanoma studies. It hurts to even type the diagnosis. I look forward to talking with you.

Reply to my friend Alex

Yeah, it’s pretty shocking. I’m relying on his big stubborn head, synergistically combined with my biggish stubborn head, to beat this thing. He learned of the grim prognosis today, and is pretty upset. I’m in a state of numb shock. His diagnosis is stage IV metastatic melanoma. He has several HUNDRED spots on his lungs, and two large masses. The spot in his brain is about 8mm, in the right frontal lobe. He has a PET scan on Monday, which scares the crap out of me. His Oncologist is worried that it’s everywhere. I’m so scared for him, because this fight is going to SUCK. He is dreading going through chemo again, fully knowing this time will be so much worse. I hope he uses Dani as his ray of hope, because he’s feeling fairly hopeless right now.

How Can This Be?

Bryce is sleeping right now, after getting slammed with the reality of his situation today. We're so terrified and sick, I don't even know which way is up. The prognosis is very grim, but there are calls in to the John Wayne Cancer Center in Santa Monica. Perhaps there is a clinical trial going on? His brain tumor will likely be radiated next Monday after his PET scan. His lungs, though, are the main problem. They're FUBAR. One day at a time, right? The fact that he has gone from healthy to this stage in 2 months is horrifying-this cancer is extremely aggressive.

Brain MRI

Bryce and I are at his oncologist's office, waiting for the official prognosis. His brain MRI was bad-there is a tumor in his right frontal lobe. There are large tumors in each lung, and dozens of small tumors. His bronchoscopy found obstructive tumors, all melanoma. He may start intensive chemo soon, and have radiation on his brain next week. He is very scared and sick right now, but we're holding on to any sliver of hope we can find. Our families are rallying around us, and we know our friends are pulling for him.

Chest X-Ray

The chest x-ray shows numerous spots on Bryce’s lungs, most likely metastatic melanoma. He has had shortness of breath, bloody phlegm and dizziness/blacking out when standing up. He will have a cranial MRI this afternoon, a bronchoscopy tomorrow morning and a PET scan Monday. Any chemo or radiation will probably be started before this weekend. He has put on his rose-colored lenses and I am trying to remove my shades. I’ll keep you all updated.

Sent to Several Coworkers and Friends:

Please pray for Bryce. He had a chest x-ray this morning and the results indicate possible (probable)metastases of his melanoma (7 years ago). I'm so scared and trying to be optimistic for him, but I need more strength than I think I have. I need all of you right now.

Bryce's Blog, Written By Tammy

The purpose of this blog is to keep our family and friends up to date on Bryce's battle with cancer. We welcome your comments, prayers and encouragement.

Seven years doesn't mean JACK!

Meet our family. Bryce, Tammy and baby Danika. Bryce and I met 5 1/2 years ago, as both of us had just gone through terrible situations--a divorce for me, and a year of melanoma biotherapy for Bryce. We were both broken hearted and broken spirited, and we found each other through a series of coincidences. We became best friends, got married a year later, and our beautiful daughter Dani was born six months ago. Life was blissful.

Bryce went in for his annual cancer checkup three weeks ago, and everything looked good. He was told, "You're seven years out now! You're clean! You don't even need a CT scan this time!" Bryce mentioned that his lungs have been feeling a little congested and he has been a little short of breath, so the doctor ran a blood test. The test was a little concerning, so she ordered a chest x-ray.

The following posts will detail the ongoing saga...