PET scan results

Okay, the radiologist report came in today. "Suspicious for metastatic carcinoid." We are to meet with a pulmonary oncologist, Dr. Jennifer Garst, whenever we can get it scheduled. They tried to set it up for next week, but obviously we will be in Minnesota and unable to make that work. She is the doc who Duke wants to perform the biopsy. They still haven't decided how best to get to the node, but the two leading candidates are to either make in incision in Dee Dee's neck and go down from there, or to make a larger incision between two ribs and go that route.

Even though the PET scan result is not necessarily a new thing, and there is good news (no other tumors, no other lymph nodes involved), it still brings a touch of sadness. As Dee Dee said, we know that God could take this away, and every test or scan that is done confirms that He wants it to stay, at least for now. It is tough to fight the hope, each time, that it will just be....gone. We continue to pray as Christ prayed in the garden, that if it be His will that this cup would pass. The sadness is that with each test result comes confirmation that in fact He wants us to drink from the cup.

Dee Dee went to bed early tonight, and friends stopped by to pray with us, after she was asleep. As Marty prayed, he quoted Philippians 4:8, a familiar passage to many. However, I had never thought of that passage in this light, so my thanks to Marty and Angela for their visit and their prayers; they are a representation of the real efforts being made on our behalf, by more people than we even know of, efforts of love and grace and prayer. Thank you all.


Philippians 4:7-9

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

So, tonight I pray that cancer will not prevent us from thinking on whatever things are true, and pure, and lovely; whatever things are excellent and worthy of praise. God is still the God of love, and peace, and mercy. He is still Abba Father, a loving Daddy who longs to hold His children and give comfort and grace.

We will pray that this cup passes, but more, we will pray that His will is done. We will pray that we learn great things of our God in this, and that He is poured into our kids through this. We will pray, not that He is glorified despite the cancer, but BECAUSE of cancer. We will pray!

Tony

No news, sort of

Well, no news today from the radiologist or oncologist concerning yesterday's PET scan. Hopefully we will hear tomorrow. I plan to ask the surgeon when he anticipates doing the lymph node procedure as well, to try to get the wheels turning on getting that scheduled. He only does surgery on Fridays, so if he is the guy, it will not be done until 10/27, with results the following week. Yuck.

Also, my wife has officially asked that the shackles be removed, and that the phone re-enter the life of the Clarks! She has had enough time to get past the shock, the stage where you feel like you can't talk about things because you don't know how to think yet. She says that in the past ten years, our phone has never been this silent, nor our doorbell so quiet. So, over the next few days, if you would like to call, please feel encouraged to do so. Ya'll have been great at respecting her, and our, need for some quiet. The cards and emails have been a blessing. Please don't stop those! But, I think there is opportunity now to let your voice provide some nourishment as well. I have seen her blessed while a friend was praying for her on the phone; more of that cannot be bad, right?

Tony

Quick Update

In honor of my dear sister, tonight's update will be brief (grin)! Thank you all for praying for today's test; Dee Dee tolerated the procedure well. She strongly dislikes drinking the radioactive contrast, but otherwise has fared pretty well today.

The test took about three hours to complete, but we did not learn anything today. The radiologist should read it tomorrow, and we should hear tomorrow or Wednesday. It has as a primary goal the establishment of the appropriate route or procedure to use in getting that doggone lymph node dealt with. It will also, as a side benefit, confirm that there are no tumors anywhere else.

So, we wait. The waiting, the not knowing with any certainty the full scope of things, is officially growing old. I think that is more draining for Dee Dee than anything else; she is ready to tackle anything, but let's please nail down exactly what it is we are tackling!

Everything for the Mayo trip is set. We have childcare arranged; a wonderful young couple, who know our kids well, is staying here at the house basically the whole time. Dee Dee's mom is staying until they get here Sunday night. Thank you all for your offers of help!

So, thanks again for praying for today. We will keep you informed as things happen, or needs arise, or I just need to vent, or whatever.

Tony