A new day dawns ... we've been through more tests. Casey has now had a colonoscopy (something I didn't have to do until I hit 50, despite the fact that my grandfather died of colon cancer ... Casey is just 31). Her colon is clear of further tumors and polyps. She has had a PET scan and her body is also clear of further tumors. Her stitches from her first surgery were removed and she was healing nicely. After consulting with her surgeon and her oncologist, the decision was made to undergo a second surgery to complete the right hemicolectomy so they could collect more lymph nodes to be certain that her lymphatic system was clear. The surgery was January 4th and the pathology report came back informing us that she is, in fact, clear. She has also met with a geneticist and had her blood drawn for testing, as there are 18 colon cancer genes and it is likely that she has at least one of them, given the finding of cancer in her at her age. Each of these genes has different implications so we are now awaiting the results of these tests. She will get her stitches removed in a few days and she will see her oncologist in a week and a half about starting chemo. It is so hard to believe that this is our new normal. Two months ago we were oblivious to my baby having cancer. Now, by the grace of God, we can say she HAD cancer but there are still some serious steps in front of us and some potentially serious implications for Dan and Davy. I can't begin to dwell on that idea for too long ... that one of the genes means that my son and grandson are also in jeopardy and I get to start this all over again. My mother used to say, when I was going through some my earlier trials in life (apropos of the line that God only gives us what we can handle), that she wished God didn't have such a high opinion of me ...  well, I'm feeling that way again, God. I've got all that I can handle, thank you very much!