Switchboard Operator

I have just spent my entire Friday on the telephone. I have talked with the University of Michigan, Tom's Oncologist, and Primary Doctor. After talking with U of M they are on the same page with Tom's Oncologist that we need a CAT Scan to determine what it is that we are seeing on the Octreoscan. Tom is scheduled to have yet another CAT Scan on Friday, August 29. We will then follow up with the Oncologist on Thursday, September 4 as well as talking with the surgeons at the University of Michigan.

We will now spend the next two weeks playing the waiting game. Hoping and praying that this will be nothing more than a false positive scan. While Tom tries to stay positive I can tell these numerous doctor visits are wearing on him. When you work all week in a hospital, the last thing you want to do on your days off is spend it back at the hospital, not that he ever takes a day off. Last night I told the kids what was going on and they did not have too many questions. We all said a prayer for dad before drifting off to sleep.

Oncology Report

This week has been another busy one. I have made a number of phone calls to get the wheels moving again between both sides of the state. We met with Tom's oncologist tonight. He showed us the scans and we went over the Radiology report. He believes this test to be inconclusive and would like run additional tests. The chest area did not show a definite spot on the Octreoscan but what he called an area of interest. He is ordering a CAT Scan and would also like to have another blood test in about 30 days as the increase in calcitonin levels is not considered significant at this point.

This week I have also made calls to the nurse at U of M as Tom's primary doctor suggested. This Octreoscan was not sent to the Regents at the U of M and it has taken a couple of phone calls to make sure the scans get into the right hands. We are now waiting for the new surgeon to look them over and see what the next step will be at their facility. Along with these phone calls I have been keeping Tom's Case Manager abreast of the information and she is ready to step in and help in whatever we need. She has given me a lot of good advice and direction when I was not sure who to call. I am very glad to have a "professional" to go to with questions. So we are in the waiting pattern again. which is nothing new with this type of disease. It sure makes one think about what's "important" in life.

With school about to begin the kids will be focused on their new year. We are still shopping for their back to school needs which give us parents a different thing to focus on also. Prayer Warriors: Please continue to pray for a clear path from all of the doctors. Pray for our patience as we wait for more tests and their results. Thank you again for so many words of encouragement and comfort.

Not What We Wanted to Hear

We got a telephone call from Tom's primary doctor. He had a chance to go over the results of the scan and did not want us to wait until next week to hear the results. As much as he hated being the one who always is the bearer of bad news, he felt even a week was too long to wait. The scan shows "tumors" developing behind Tom's sternum. So the cancer has spread into his chest. At this point we are not sure what our next step will be. He wanted us to call our Oncologist tomorrow and move up our appointment and has recommended that we contact the University of Michigan and make plans to spend another football season in Ann Arbor. Look out Tom and Dawn, here we come!

Some good news: The scan did not show any cancer in the liver, kidneys or that whole lower quadrant. This truly is the best news we can hope for because once this cancer spreads that low Tom's odds drop drastically. At this time it sounds like more surgery followed by radiation. However, this is all preliminary and we will know more in the next week.

Psalms 31:14-15
But I was trusting you, O Lord. I said, "You alone are my God; my times are in your hands."

The Good, The Bad & The Bloodtest

This fall is going to be a little different for the Andrew's family. The boys have decided not to play football this fall. Even though this is breaking their dad's heart, he is not pushing the issue. Tom was able to walk his niece down the isle and give her away at her wedding last weekend. Where have the years gone? The little girl that was our flower girl in our wedding now had our daughter as her flower girl. I broke into tears when he said to me, "I want to be around to do this at Katelynn's wedding." However, no hurry!

I can finally say that Tom's health care is now on the West Side of the state. Dr. Campbell will be overseeing all of his care at Spectrum Health's cancer center. We got the results back from Tom's last blood tests and they were not what we had hoped for. There was an increase in the Calcitonin levels. This was our indicator that the cancer is spreading. This combined with the lump they had found recently on Tom's neck has us back on defense. We will not know for sure until after the next round of scans. Tom goes into Butterworth on Wednesday, August 13 for his injection and the first scan. He will return on Thursday for his more scans. We will meet with Dr. Campbell on the 25th to go over the results. Those eleven days are going to seem like an eternity! We have been through this before however this time we know what we are dealing with. Tom is staying very upbeat and positive. He knows that this will be a way of life from here on out. He is just going to keep fighting the good fight and loving every day.

So life has it's ups and downs and we sure have been on a ride for the past year. We will continue to laugh often & love much.

Goodbye, Farewell, Amen

Tom and I were on a whirlwind this past week. For just one week Tom's cancer took second stage; we received the news that Tom's uncle had unexpectedly passed. If Tom ever had a hero or somebody that he looked up to and admired, it was his Uncle Norm. So began a week of scrambling around. While all of Tom's vacation time has been used up because of his hospital stays, his employers (Spectrum Health & Wayland EMS) graciously gave him the time off on such short notice so we could attend the funeral in Florida. A family member stepped in and loaned us the money to buy the airline tickets. Once again grandmas to the rescue to babysit the kids. Although Tom has been involved in fire/ems for over 7 years, this is the first time that I have attended a Fire Fighters funeral. I don't think I ever understood the bond that these men and women have until now. To see Tom and his cousins in full uniform honoring their Uncle was a very powerful and moving. To watch the honor guard bring the casket out of the church to a sea of fire fighters standing at attention was something I will never forget. Through all the sadness came the joy of making new friends while down in Florida. Steve and Jan, friends and church family of Norm and Christie's, opened their beautiful home to us while we stayed in Orlando. When we first walked through the door I felt like one of my children were with me as I leaned over and told Tom "Don't touch anything!" We were truly touched by their kindness and hospitality. We landed back in Detroit at 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning and hit the ground running. Once back in Wayland, Tom's first stop was at the station to pick up his schedule for the month. Then we headed home so Tom could give the kids a hug and grab a quick shower before heading off to work all night. Tom is the perfect person to perform sleep studies; I swear that man never sleeps!

Before we flew out Tom had his blood work done. I was able to make all the calls and Tom's next scan has been approved and scheduled. This next scan will let us know if the new lump on Tom's neck is cancer or just the scar tissue from his last surgery. The procedures are a little different than at the U of M. I'm not complaining at least we do not have a 2 1/2 hour drive , hotel expense, and more time off from work. Our insurance company has now assigned us a case worker. She has already been big help to me in managing Tom's care.

Please keep in your prayers Tom's Aunt Christie and his cousins Shawn & Robbie during this difficult time. To my prayer warriors, (Tom enjoyed the chance to meet some of you from Willow Creek Church) continue prayers for Tom's scans to once again be cancer free. There are so many verses that come to mind and were said in this past week, but one that has been on my hearts says: "Always be full of joy in the Lord: I say it again rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your need and don't forget to thank him for your answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

Norman Miller
MILLER, NORMAN L., age 56, of Seminole County, FL, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, on 7/26/08. Beloved husband and father, Norm was an Elder of the Willow Creek Presbyterian Church, Winter Springs, FL, a retired Battalion Chief of the Anchorage Fire Department, Anchorage, AK, as well as a retired Division Chief of the Seminole County Fire Rescue Division, Seminole County, FL. Norm is survived by his wife, Chris and sons, Shawn and Robbie. Viewing will be 5-8PM on Thursday, July 31, 2008. Funeral will be 11AM Friday August 1, 2008. All services will be held at Willow Creek Presbyterian Church, 4725 E Lake Drive, Winter Springs, FL 32708.