Meghan's Party Today's Email

I really did well composing the following email to family and friends today and now it is time to put it on the blog for all our other friends and family that keep us in their prayers. Already the responses make me humble and they bring tears to my eyes, to know in times of uncertainty how much we really do love and care for each other and how much the spirit moves in us for one another.

It seems like every couple of months you here from the HYLAND"S requesting some prayers. Today is no exception.... we are again in need of some heavy duty prayers.
We flew up to Ben Lomand, Ca., Saturday to attend a pre-surgery Luau party for our son Michael's girlfriend Meghan Knuntson. On Tuesday she is scheduled for her SECOND liver resection surgery at UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Francisco. Her first liver resection was November 28, 2006 and since her liver was riddled with tumors, a surgeon cut off one half of her liver entirely and then burned or cut the rest of the tumors off the other side. These surgeries take about 10 hours plus and a 4 to 6 month recovery time.
Meghan has continued on different chemo treatments since she was first diagnosed with her colon cancer at the age of 24. Unfortunately, Meghan's body did not respond well and she formed allergic reactions to the drugs. Meghan, her family and her medical team have determined the second liver resection is the most reasonable course of action since chemo is not an option. One step at a time but later in the year she is scheduled to also have tumors removed from her lungs where the cancer had metastasized.

In Meghan's own word she says she grows cancer naturally so remission is not a very reasonable goal. But trying to control it is her plan. After her operation she will do some chemo which is not as harmful and one that is FDA approved that she knows she is not allergic to.

Meghan is a beautiful young women, in love with our son (after 3 years together they still make goggle eyes at each other). We feel she is amazingly strong and brave beyond her years. Her family is surrounding her with lots of love and distraction, and they need prayers too for what they are about to endure. Please include Meghan, her mom Beverly (my top pick for mom of the year), her father, Brian, our Michael, Sarah and Brody her sister and brother in your prayers. Please pray for the Lord's healing and peace to surround this family and Meghan's medical team and what ever other needs you might feel they need at this crucial time. I know God will be listening and Meghan and her family will feel the power, peace and healing that is needed.

Thank you, below is a picture of Meghan and us at her party...
If you received this email you know how important you all are to Rich and our family and we would not be where we are today without all of you - your prayers, support, love and in some cases platelets and blood.... Thank you, we love you.

God Bless
Aloha
Jackie