Chris, Mandy, Melissa, & Rob at Sundance Square in Fort Worth

Last week, our best friends from Ohio came to visit us for several days. It was such an encouragement to both Melissa and me to get to spend some quality time with old friends, to be "normal" for a few days, and to have some fun together in the DFW metroplex. Never underestimate the restorative powers of time with good friends.

Because of the Independence Day holiday, my regular Monday chemo appointment was delayed until Tuesday. Round 7 proved to be more difficult than the last few rounds. Once again I experienced the awful nausea and fatigue that weakens the body and saps the psyche.

Over the last few rounds, I've learned to expect an emotional breakdown that directly coincides with the worst day of chemo symptoms. When your body is so physically weakened, it's easy for your spirit to be weakened as well. It is in those moments when hope is hard to find.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful partner who understands this, and who holds me in the most difficult moments, reminding me of the Ultimate Hope that we have outside of ourselves and the messy world we inhabit.

I have only two more rounds of this chemotherapy regimen. August 11 I will return to MD Anderson for new scans and discuss my second-line treatment options with my oncologist. I remain hopeful that the genetic testing of my cancer will open up clinical trials or other treatment options that may more directly target the disease in my body.

Thank you again for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for the following:

•  That my remaining chemo treatments with Oxaliplatin and 5FU will continue to be effective.
• That the genetic testing of my cancer will reveal promising options for targeting the cancer more directly.
• That the second-line treatment will be effective at slowing the cancer and extending my life.