It's Back

We met with Dr. Campbell, Tom's Oncologist and went over the test results. Here is what we do know. All indications are that the cancer is active and in the early stages of forming somewhere in the neck again. Because it is so small and the fact that Tom has so much scar tissue in the neck, it makes it difficult for them to find it at this time. The cancer has not spread to the lungs or lower.

Dr. Campbell has order an MRI and a Octreoscan here at Butterworth. He wants these test performed ASAP so that he can forward the results to Tom's surgeon at the U of M for our meeting on March 27.

If these tests show the mass we will discuss surgery at the U of M with radiation to follow at Butterworth, just like last time. If these test are also inconclusive, then we will repeat these scans in 3-4 months until the mass is large enough to be detected.

So until this next meeting Tom will try to keep his focus on work, family, and sprinkle in some fun. Thanks for continued prayers as we try to comprehend this and what this means.

New Feature

We had added a new feature to Tom's blog called Followers. You will see it on the left hand column. If you would like to join it will keep you updated on our journey. This option will give us an idea of how many people we are reaching with this blog. If you choose to remain anonymous, that is fine also.

I have also added an Endocrine website that gives more information about Tom's cancer, etc.

Tom's CT & chest x-ray is tomorrow at Butterworth. Thanks for your continued support. I appreciate the Prayer Warriors who have not stopped praying for our family, especially Tom.

I turn again to the Psalms (don't be surprised) as I have turned to these all my life, maybe it is the poet in me. Anyway I would like to share with you:

To you, O Lord, I pray. Don't fail me, Lord, for I am trusting in you. Don't let my enemies succeed. Psalms 25:1-2 Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives salvation. I have no hope except in you. Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness. Psalms 25:4-7

Plan Changes

Today Tom's Oncologist called and he has ordered Tom to go in for a CT and x-ray of the neck and chest on Tuesday at Butterworth. By the urgency in which they are getting him in, leads me to believe the doctor is concerned with the high counts. We will get the results two days later when we meet with him.

We are adding a new specialist to Tom's list of doctors. Tom's primary doctor is referring us to Dr. Tate, an Endocrinologist here in the west side of the state. The meet and greet has not been set up yet, but stay tuned.

Please keep Tom in your list of prayers. He keeps his sense of humor and takes it all logically, unlike his other half.

Spoke too soon

After blogging last night Tom's Oncologist called today with the results of his latest blood work. His Calcitonin levels has shot up to 298. This is the highest level since pre surgery. It is not what we wanted to hear, but Tom is taking it rather well. He just told me to step up those College classes! At this time he is not going to worry about it, and see what happens when they poke him in March at the U of M. I however do not share my husband's "wait and see" attitude. I am not sure how he goes on with his daily grind. He does it with a smile. He just keeps reminding me it is out of his hands. It is definitely something I need reminding of today.

Tonight I remember Psalms 40:1-2
I waited patiently for God to help me; then he listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along.

Update

I think we have finally gotten the good old fashion Michigan crud in our house. Katie had 6 girls over with a birthday/slumber party which went well, but then the "stuff" hit our house this weekend (two kids with fevers and one with a sore throat), it is going around! However the sun is shinning and warmer weather has hit Michigan. I am looking forward to the change and hoping that the change in weather is also the end of the sickness that has seemed to hit many families.

Tom is still dealing with the respiratory issues. It seems every time the kids get something he catches a part of it. He is handling it well, but he is the "weakest link" and the poor man does not seem to get a break. I was able to move Tom's U of M appointment to March. Tom was thinking I should just cancel it, but I reminded him that the Oncologist would like him to continue the visits there as well. We did not get back the calcitonin level from his last blood work yet, so I am anxious to see what the result will be. Tom will be going back to therapy a couple of times a week in order to help him with the swelling of his neck. I am hopeful that this will also help the long term breathing issues.

It is so hard to truly express how thankful we are that so many people continue to ask about & pray for our family. I believe it is what keeps us going. My Aunt has a signature that she attaches to each e-mail and I would love to share it with you as it fits with everyone and where we are in life:


Happy Moments...praise God
Difficult Moments...seek God
Quiet Moments...worship God
Painful Moments...trust God
Every Moment...thank God

Plan for 2009

This is the first doctor visit of 2009 and it went pretty well. Tom and I headed up to Lemmon Holton Cancer Center today for the appointment with his Oncologist. Of course no trip to the hospital would be complete without Tom getting poked and more blood drawn. We met with Dr. Campbell's Nurse Practitioner. We went over Tom's last PET Scans, which were clear. We talked about the fact that his last blood work had shown his Calcitonin counts were down for the first time, which were encouraging!

We discussed the plan for 2009. In 6 months Tom will have a chest x-ray and more blood work and then meet with the Oncologist to go over the results. It appears that we will live our lives 6 months at a time. In the meantime Tom will talk with his Surgeon at the U of M about his continuing post-op difficulties. He still wakes up most mornings with swelling and difficulty breathing. Tom describes it as living everyday with a noose around his neck. He doesn't complain much but I can tell he struggles. We will head over to the U of M on April 17, and I am sure he will donate more of his blood at that time. I want to move the appointment up but Tom will not let me. I think at this point he just wants to stay out of the doctors offices for a while and I can't blame him.

All in all this was a good appointment. Now we can spend the next months just worrying about "normal" life things; kids, bills, school, jobs. We still are taking one day at a time and not taking life for granted. I am trying to focus on what is written in I Corinthians 14:1 "Let love be your greatest aim"

Winter Blast

I can wait for the winter freeze that we will be getting this week. The kids are back on the "No School" chant around the house. I will not be surprised to find more spoons under their pillows! We are just trying to get into the groove for 2009 around our house.

Tom was sick on his birthday but is doing better now. He still gets tightening of the throat when he starts to get upper respiratory issues. However, his body is fighting his cold and his breathing is getting better and will hopefully improve, especially at night. Otherwise Tom is feeling pretty good. We even worked out 2 times last week.

Well, not much else to report in the Andrew's household at this point. That is a good thing; after an 18 month battle we are getting a chance to catch our breath. Tom's next Dr. appointment is at the end of the month. We are keeping our chin up and remembering what is important; God, family, and friends.