New Findings

Good news...bad news...and what?!

Let's go in order.

The good news is that the interstitial lung disease continues to be present within the lungs , although IMPROVED from prior exam.

The bad news is that there is a new finding in my right supraclavicular lymph node which is highly suspicious for metastic involvement (can you tell I'm reading the report...I had to check supraclavicular several times). The good news is that it is small, so my doctor is having it biopsied. It will be performed with an ultra-sound to guide them to the area. Immediately when I heard lymph node I thought she was going to tell me that I had to have chemo again. My eyes immediately teared up. I feel as if I'm just getting to recover and couldn't imagine having to face that again.

The What?! I found out that my 6th and 7th ribs are fractured (likely caused by trauma). No wonder I've had so much pain on my left side since my lung biopsy. Trust me it was traumatic, and no I'm not going crazy, I have been in real pain!! This news actually gave us a lot of laughs this afternoon. Do you know how much sympathy I've missed in the last 5 months?

I have to admit I was really disappointed to find out about the lymph node. I was so hoping my oncologist was going to give me the "all clear" and say she would see me in 4 months. Instead, I get to look forward to more probing and tests. I will have another PET Scan in three months, and have now been put on my doctor's monthly schedule. She is watching me like a hawk. I guess that should be her new nickname.

Right now I'm on a little bit of a roller coaster. One minute I'm facing this head on, thankful that they can find something when it is still small. The next minute I'm just sad that I can't get off this ride. I desperately want to move on. I don't want any more needles!!

My next stop is the Pulmonolgist on Wednesday. I really think I have a sinus infection, which is causing drainage and then causing me to cough a lot. I'm sure he'll get to the bottom of it...or maybe I should say to the top of it. Oh....I forgot the PET Scan also showed a "persistent hyper metabolic focus in the left thyroid lobe" which I'm supposed to talk to him about. Why? At this moment I can't remember...just too much to take in one day. I'll have to have Jim remind me.

All I know is that I have to take one thing at a time, focus, pray, and fight hard THROUGH this. I want to have more days like yesterday...spending time with friends (plus Kel & the boys) at the beach for our church's annual beach baptism day. Katelynn and Matt's best friend Caden were both baptised. It was so cool! I was so proud of my daughter to finally make this decision. It put a huge smile on my face.

The hard part about today was telling the kids about the results. They need some more days like yesterday too!! I saw in their eyes today that they're on their own roller coaster. As hard as it is going through it's harder watching them face it too.

I'm so glad God promises that His mercies are new each day...I'm going to bed now (yes, it's only 8:30 pm) and wake up to those wonderful new mercies.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.