Scan results

Nate had a PET scan this week and the results came back no evidence of disease- no cancer! And no weird blips in his thyroid or prostate this time- also good news.

Thank you to those who stop us and ask how Nate is doing, who still pray for our family. We are deep in our being grateful for this season of "normalcy." We could have lost this family life together. We are grateful for physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Nate was diagnosed with cancer October 2016.  April 2019 will be two years since his stem cell transplant.  We know numbers aren't magical, but yet we all have certain milestones that loom over us. When we started this cancer journey, the first Dr told us Nate would most likely relapse within 2 years.  We know now that yes, that happens for some. But we also know that everyone's cancer is different, some people go 10 years without a relapse!  So in some sense we have been holding our breath these last 2 years. And still holding our breath to make it past April 2019.  Cancer can mess with you. But overall we are focused on living- being present in the moment, enjoying our family and the gift of today.

I would guess Nate will have another scan around April 2019. Once again, hoping you don't hear anything on this blog until then!

Results

The pathology report came back- benign! No evidence of cancer!! Thank you God! And thank you to all of you praying for Nate and our family.  Once again, we are hoping you don't hear anything on this blog for a long time!

Surgery

Nate had surgery today to remove his right thyroid.  The surgery was successful, nothing was outside of the nodules or odd looking. The pathology report should be back by the end of the week. (To find out if cancer is present or not.)  Nate came home in the afternoon, very sleepy and having some pain.  He was told he might need to miss 7-10 days of work.  If you know Nate he said, um I doubt that, I'll be back this week.  😉  Please pray for minimal pain and a quick recovery.  Please pray the kids aren't too crazy and I can keep them occupied while Nate recovers this week. Also pray the results come back cancer free.

We are grateful to all who have been praying for our family, who sent messages and for those who cared for our kids today.  Our truck battery quit the evening before the surgery.  Our friends who watched the kids changed the battery for us so Nate doesn't have to worry about it.  We are thankful for all of you.  The minutes of waiting in the conference room to hear from the Dr after surgery was probably the worst part for me. (I know many of you have sat in surgery waiting rooms.) All the horrible worst case scenarios ran thru my head, the questions of why is the Dr taking so long? Why did the lady who brought me in this room look so sober? What if, what if, what if.  It was just me sending up help us prayers, pacing the room, and feeling like I was going to be sick. And then sending up a THANK YOU prayer when the surgeon gave me a thumbs up and a smile before he was even in the room with me.

I am so impressed by Nate.  He handles all of this with such strength and grace.

We are praying this thyroid surgery will be a small blip in the big scheme of things and our family can get back to the amazing gift of a mundane, "normal" existence.

Thyroid decision

Nate had his rituxan infusion on Tuesday and we met with his local oncologist, Dr. Batts.  He spoke with us about the thyroid biopsy results and options.

 Nate is going to have surgery on July 16 in Holland to remove his right thyroid.  The surgery is outpatient and recovery should be easy.  Once the thyroid is removed, pathology can determine if there is cancer present.  If the thyroid is cancerous there should be no need for other treatment as removing the thyroid takes care of the issue. 

We are at peace with the decision to have surgery and we are grateful for that sense of peace.  This past week was challenging, having to say "possible cancer" to our kids again.  Trying to keep them informed, but also minimize their anxiety. Feeling angry and sad that we are looking at possible cancer just one year later.  A friend going thru a tough season gave me the illustration of picking up the cancer when necessary and giving it all the focus needed.  But, then laying down cancer and directing all of my focus elsewhere.  Easier said than done, but I am working on it.  We are looking forward to laying down cancer until July 16.  Thank you for praying for us as we made this latest decision. 

Thyroid

It has been a lot of waiting.  Last week the biopsy results were indeterminate. Not benign, not obviously cancer.  So molecular genetic testing was done on the biopsy sample and we waited another week.  We met with the ENT Dr today to go over the results.  The genetic testing shows there is a 50% chance there is cancer in his right thyroid.  But, that also means a 50% chance it is not cancer.  Well that is clear as mud.  Awesome, thanks.

The doctor went over the options which include surgery all the way to watch and wait and gave us his recommendation.  There are risks and benefits to all the options.  And honestly, we sometimes do not feel equipped to make these decisions.  For example, we began the appointment by asking, what exactly does the thyroid do again? (The Dr is probably thinking go back to high school biology!) How are we qualified to make this decision? But, we ask questions and we listen.  And now we talk and pray and make the best decision we can. Please pray for wisdom.

One year post transplant

Nate had his NW appt yesterday.  It is slightly frustrating to do 6 hours of driving for a 10 minute visit with the doctor.  The doctor said, your counts are completely normal, you look great, see you in 9 months.  We are extremely grateful for a good report. 

Nate also had his thyroid biopsy yesterday, not a pleasant experience.  The results should come back next week.  Always the waiting game with cancer.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

Scan results

We met with our oncologist yesterday and went over the scan results.  First of all, there is no evidence of lymphoma.  Let's stop right there and take that in a moment- thank you Jesus. We are grateful.

The scan showed increased activity in his thyroid since the last scan.  (You may remember his thyroid lit up on the last scan. An ultrasound was done and nothing worrisome was found.) Nate will see an ENT for an ultrasound and biopsy of his thyroid.  The Dr was pretty chill about this, made us feel more relaxed about it.  He said if something is found, it's usually benign.  And if it's not benign, it is easy to treat with surgery and possibly radiation pills.  And my friend reminded me that only in the cancer world is surgery and radiation pills seen as no big deal. (Insert laughing/crying.)

The scan also showed activity in his prostate.  The Dr checked Nate's PSA levels and those results came back today-normal! Thank you God.  Since the levels are normal he will just need to be monitored on the next scan in 6 months.

Nate will have his thyroid ultrasound/biopsy on April 16, after we get back from his NW appointment. 

Scan

Hello everyone, we are so thankful that this blog has been quiet.  We are living life and truly appreciative of all things normal and mundane.  Please pray for the following:

-Nate has a PET/CT scan on March 2.  We will go over the results with our local oncologist on March 13. 
-Nate has his 1 year post transplant appointment at Northwestern on April 16

Nate has been feeling great.  Colds and so forth linger longer because of his weaker immune system, but otherwise he is healthy.  We are confident this scan will be clean, but we all know cancer is sneaky.  Please pray for a clean scan and for fear to have no place in our minds and hearts.