Forty-five is the new recommended age for colonoscopies so five days after his forty-fifth birthday, Paul went in for his. One by one, I could hear the doctors speak to those there for their loved ones letting them know that their procedure went well and they were ready to go home. When the doctor called my name, there was no news delivered in the hallway. Instead, I was led to an office to speak in private. It was then that he shared that Paul had a large suspicious mass and samples would be sent off for biopsy.
On July 25th, our world shifted. We heard the word no one ever wants to hear: cancer. Since then, life has become a whirlwind of appointments, tests, and conversations that feel both surreal and painfully real.
In the past few weeks, he has gone through:
- A colonoscopy
- CT scan
- MRI
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy with rectal tatoos
- long, emotional conversations with specialists, each other, family, and friends
- port placement (happening tomorrow August 21st)
Each test brought new information. Each conversation brought new emotions. We’ve felt overwhelmed, scared, determined, and also blessed for the overwhelming support of our family, friends, coworkers, community, and for each other.
His official diagnosis is T3c N+ rectal cancer.
Chemo begins on August 25th. It’s the start of a new chapter, one we didn’t choose, but one we are ready to face together.
Through it all, we are leaning deeply into our faith. It’s been our anchor in the storm, our light in the uncertainty. We believe that even in the hardest times, God is near. We’ve seen His presence in all of the people that are supporting us, the nurses and doctors that are caring for my precious husband, and the way that our children are navigating this journey with us. We are trusting that this journey has a purpose and that healing is not just physical but spiritual too.
This blog is our space to share the journey. Not just the medical updates, but the moments in between: the laughter, the tears, the quiet strength that shows up when we need it most. We don’t know what lies ahead, but we do know that we won’t be facing this alone. Thank you for walking alongside us.
If you know my Paul, you know that he is going to keep his humor, joking his way through this and keeping us all laughing. Today, after an appointment to discuss our plan, we had coffee. Paul took a picture of my latte and said one image is a heart and the other is his butt.
He is strong and without a doubt, he will kick this cancer in the butt!
With love,
The Loy Family
Butt Seriously 
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