I started my last post stating that I'd spent some time "thinking of what I wanted to say". Well, I've really been "thinking" this time.
I had made the decision when I first started this blog that it wouldn't be just about what was happening in our lives, but what was happening as far as Roy's journey with the diagnosis of cancer. That being said, we've had a pretty normal 3 weeks. Going to ballgames, church, work and whatever else we have always done.
That changed this last week. We were in Houston at the hospital for 3 days getting more information about surgery. When we left the first of September it was a "done deal" that Roy would have the surgery. The oncologist basically said there was no choice. And, I gave the statistic in the last blog. We got a call last week that surgery was set for Oct. 10th and that we had appointments with the surgeon and radiologist this week.
After visiting with both of them we came away thoroughly confused. The surgeon gave us statistics that showed whether having surgery or just watching and monitoring the area of cancer did not make that much difference. So, the chances of cancer coming back are basically the same either way....go figure. If Roy chooses not to have surgery he will have a petscan and an endoscopy every 3 months for awhile then yearly. If they find cancer they would do surgery immediately. No radiation or chemo again. The question is do we risk the chance of there still being cancer cells that didn't show up on the last test results and they multiply quickly. Or does he have surgery, and we were told is not an easy surgery and a very long recovery on the chance of there being cancer...still. Recovery from surgery can be as long as a year. It would definitely be a 10 hospital stay with a feeding tube for an extended period...depending on how well he does.
Both of the doctors (surgeon and radiologist) said they supported whatever decision that he makes. We have not cancelled the surgery, so he has about a week to make the decision. I am trying really hard to let it be his decision.
I appreciate what Shana has said. Whatever the decision is we cannot 2nd guess what is decided. And, that is so true. I was getting dressed to go to the hospital the other morning and had an overwhelming feeling that the Lord said to me, "Just make a decision , I'm with you whatever you decide". I have a tendancy to "humanize" God and when I hear His voice it's in a manor I can understand. So, I think that Roy will decide and it will be good. Pray for us....pray that we make the right decision and thank God for being with us through out the journey.
And, on a personal note, keep Justin in your prayers. ACU played a team in Mississippi last night. We could watch it on the computer and during the 2nd quarter we watched him pull his hamstring muscle. It was very obvious. We both yelled "No"!! at the same time. Roy talked to him this morning and it is just a pull not a tear. Thank you Lord for that!
God is in control and holding our hand
Linda
Friday, September 28, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
A Prolonged Journey
I've spent some time thinking of what I want to share and how I'm feeling about the news that we received this last week in Houston.
Roy had the PETSCAN and endoscopy this last week. We met with the oncologist on Friday afternoon. Even though the scan showed there was no cancer cells that could be seen she still recommended that he have the surgery. They did a biopsy on some of the tissue in the esophagus but we won't know the results of that until later this week. It will not change the recommendation of surgery.
It has been difficult to accept. We have prayed so hard that they would say "no cancer, no surgery" but the studies do not support that theory. And, truthfully, they never really did give us much of a chance of that. What we were told by the oncologist was that 2/3rds of the people who make that decision are back in 2 years with cancer. So, it sounds llike a no brainer...but the recovery from surgery is not easy. It is a long and hard recovery...possibly as long as a year before he can eat what he is use to having.
So, now we are in a waiting game of learning when we will see the surgeon. We have an appointment the 26th of September with the radiologist but the oncologist will not let us wait that long to see the surgeon. We will just be checking the web site to see when we need to go back. We were told that usually it takes 2-3 weeks to schedule surgery. There is so much going on this fall that we hate to miss but guess we will.
We know that this is just part of the journey that God has set for us. Do we understand why the prayers for complete healing have not been answered? No, but we will accept the journey and give God the glory. Had a wonderful experience in our class at church today and we will appreciate the friends in class for the rest of our lives! There has been so much support from all our friends and I have confidence that God will keep those people in our lives and they will continue to support us...please, continue to pray.
It wasn't only "gloom and doom" this week-end. After we left Houston we went directly to Ryan's in Temple and had such a good time. Tyler and Georgia Kate were so much fun to be with this week-end. Georgia Kate is 10 months old and loves to give open mouth kisses and then just laugh. And Tyler is all boy and loved rough housing with me...or me with him...I'm not sure which.
We left on Saturday and drove on to Abilene to watch Justin play football. He is a starting linebacker this year. And, he did great!! He was in on a lot of tackles and had a forced fumble (I had to ask what that was). What I thought was even neater was that there were 19 of us who were there to cheer him on! Holly and GK decided not to try to make the trip. It was a glorious time...hot but fun!
So, here we are...just waiting to make the next move. However we have to do it we will do it with the confidence that it is the right decision!
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
Roy had the PETSCAN and endoscopy this last week. We met with the oncologist on Friday afternoon. Even though the scan showed there was no cancer cells that could be seen she still recommended that he have the surgery. They did a biopsy on some of the tissue in the esophagus but we won't know the results of that until later this week. It will not change the recommendation of surgery.
It has been difficult to accept. We have prayed so hard that they would say "no cancer, no surgery" but the studies do not support that theory. And, truthfully, they never really did give us much of a chance of that. What we were told by the oncologist was that 2/3rds of the people who make that decision are back in 2 years with cancer. So, it sounds llike a no brainer...but the recovery from surgery is not easy. It is a long and hard recovery...possibly as long as a year before he can eat what he is use to having.
So, now we are in a waiting game of learning when we will see the surgeon. We have an appointment the 26th of September with the radiologist but the oncologist will not let us wait that long to see the surgeon. We will just be checking the web site to see when we need to go back. We were told that usually it takes 2-3 weeks to schedule surgery. There is so much going on this fall that we hate to miss but guess we will.
We know that this is just part of the journey that God has set for us. Do we understand why the prayers for complete healing have not been answered? No, but we will accept the journey and give God the glory. Had a wonderful experience in our class at church today and we will appreciate the friends in class for the rest of our lives! There has been so much support from all our friends and I have confidence that God will keep those people in our lives and they will continue to support us...please, continue to pray.
It wasn't only "gloom and doom" this week-end. After we left Houston we went directly to Ryan's in Temple and had such a good time. Tyler and Georgia Kate were so much fun to be with this week-end. Georgia Kate is 10 months old and loves to give open mouth kisses and then just laugh. And Tyler is all boy and loved rough housing with me...or me with him...I'm not sure which.
We left on Saturday and drove on to Abilene to watch Justin play football. He is a starting linebacker this year. And, he did great!! He was in on a lot of tackles and had a forced fumble (I had to ask what that was). What I thought was even neater was that there were 19 of us who were there to cheer him on! Holly and GK decided not to try to make the trip. It was a glorious time...hot but fun!
So, here we are...just waiting to make the next move. However we have to do it we will do it with the confidence that it is the right decision!
God is in control and holding our hand.
Linda
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