Another week has flown by. I can't believe how warm the month of September has been. I have enjoyed the sunny days and know that this will not last forever as the winter gray skies will be here before we are ready for them. The boys are starting to talk about getting the snowmobile back out and sharing stories of past rides. It always helps to have a hobbie during the winter to tolerate the cold weather.
Tom continues to take classes and is now an offical CPR Instructor. I've told him that I would like to be certified again becuase mine expired as a senior in high school (we won't talk how many years ago that was :) He taught a class last Wednesday and really enjoyed it. I know that with his personality that he would make a great instructor. I could tell that he was excited about the aspect of offering the class again in our community.
Kids are doing well in school. I am pleased to say that they seem to be trying hard and concentrating on their studies this year. It's just the usual routine at the Andrews' household. Other than some deep discussions about life Tom and I are staying positive about what will be. Thank you for the words of encouragement and those who have shared a personal story about a loved ones struggle/successes.
Our Why> series at church this week was talking about Why should I believe in God in the first place? One of our assignments was to take a walk and find evidence. As many of you know, I love to walk as it is a great time to reflect. I found evidence in my thoughts, experiences, and in the beauty of our world. I extend this challenge to those of you who have asked the question. "The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the works of his hand" (Psalm 19:1)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Fall
This fall has been different! The boys have a free schedule (though I think Cody misses football) and the kids either do not have much homework, or can handle it on their own. I can still hear the football whistles from our house and I have mixed feelings about the boys not participating. Our evenings have changed and I can say I enjoy my time at night. It is nice that the kids are becoming responsible and independent. This week our friends from Ohio called and were asking for some pictures of Tom at the U of M during his surgery. Their daughter is doing a report on cancer and Tom is her subject. I teased Tom that he is being studied now in another state, how cool!
Tom has been busy once again. He is out this morning with Kyle for the anterless hunt and I hope they get one as our freezer has one pound of venison burger left! I hate to pay the ground beef prices and see all the grease when it fries (sorry my Bambi huggers). Since our last doctors visit, Tom has a new attitude of "Just tell me when and where to be for the doctors, otherwise I'm just going to go on with life". I know that he is tired of being poked and the uncertanity of this disease. I, on the other hand, have gotten back onto the internet to find out all I can about the significance of the calcitonin levels, but not during the middle of the night. I have read a few conflicting reports, but I have also read some positive outcomes of MTC. I am focusing on the positives and being certain that each day our experts are making new discoveries and breakthroughs. I also have found a few things that are significant to MTC and will be asking a few questions when we go see this new doctor on Friday, October 17. Hopefully he will have a few answers.
I thank God for so many supporters and pray that Jesus also walks with you each day. We are in a series at church asking the Why> questions and though not all of them will be answered in this series, it has been good to discuss and know that it's OK to ask. Most important is the answers that our Lord gives us (interestingly not always the answers we expect) and the blessings his gives us along the way.
Tom has been busy once again. He is out this morning with Kyle for the anterless hunt and I hope they get one as our freezer has one pound of venison burger left! I hate to pay the ground beef prices and see all the grease when it fries (sorry my Bambi huggers). Since our last doctors visit, Tom has a new attitude of "Just tell me when and where to be for the doctors, otherwise I'm just going to go on with life". I know that he is tired of being poked and the uncertanity of this disease. I, on the other hand, have gotten back onto the internet to find out all I can about the significance of the calcitonin levels, but not during the middle of the night. I have read a few conflicting reports, but I have also read some positive outcomes of MTC. I am focusing on the positives and being certain that each day our experts are making new discoveries and breakthroughs. I also have found a few things that are significant to MTC and will be asking a few questions when we go see this new doctor on Friday, October 17. Hopefully he will have a few answers.
I thank God for so many supporters and pray that Jesus also walks with you each day. We are in a series at church asking the Why> questions and though not all of them will be answered in this series, it has been good to discuss and know that it's OK to ask. Most important is the answers that our Lord gives us (interestingly not always the answers we expect) and the blessings his gives us along the way.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Another Ride
I talked Tom's primary doctor to get the calcitonin results. His latest count is 188. This is up from July of 148 and in January it started at 129. We now can show an upward trend in his calcitonin levels which is the indicator that the cancer is growing somewhere. The nurse that I talked to said that the CAT scan can miss a Minuit area where the cancer could be. At our meeting last week with the oncologist, he again said the fluctuation of the levels may occur. However an upward trend is something we did not want to see. Tom's primary doctor now is stating again that we need to visit the doctor at the U of M. Their office is working on getting a Referral letter and an authorization to meet the surgeon back on the East side.
What does this mean? Will we have surgery, radiation, or the therapy that we once talked about? We will again be in the waiting pattern until we meet with him. So after a few days of enjoying the sunshine and feeling good about the future, we have a reality check once again.
I read many verses tonight but one that stays on my heart is 1 Peter 5:7 "Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."
What does this mean? Will we have surgery, radiation, or the therapy that we once talked about? We will again be in the waiting pattern until we meet with him. So after a few days of enjoying the sunshine and feeling good about the future, we have a reality check once again.
I read many verses tonight but one that stays on my heart is 1 Peter 5:7 "Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Good News
The storm has finally hit Michigan and we needed the rain! The kids are getting into the rhythm of school and a new school schedule. They all seem to be adjusting and like their teachers again this year. We shared some news with the kids last night and they were all smiles and celebrating with us. Last night we had a message from Tom's primary who stated that the CAT scan was normal.
We met with Dr. Campbell today for the results of his CAT scan and the doctors must have talked because he walked in commenting on the great news. The CAT scan did not show any enlargement of the lymph nodes or other abnormalities a.k.a. no cancer. He also said that it is not that uncommon to have something show on the scans that is not cancerous. At this time there is no indication that Tom has any tumors. He said that the calcitonin levels may fluctuate a little and that he would like to watch it closely. This will be Tom's normal range and should be fine as long the level does not progressively climb up. Before he was able to see the doctor he had to get poked. They are looking at his calcium level as well as the calcitonin levels. Depending on what the calcitonin levels show this time he will either be checked every 4-6 week or 3 months. He is also scheduled for a CAT scan at Butterworth campus for the beginning of December with a consult on December 18. As we left the Lemmon-Holton Cancer Center, Tom and I agreed that it was nice to come out of the office with some good news for a change.
We are so happy to be past two clean scans. It is like a breath of fresh air. We can now concentrate on some of our everyday life stuff. I thank God for his blessings in life. I know that we are not yet in the clear, but each day as I trust in his goodness he shows us his grace.
Psalms 34:1-4 "I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together, and exalt his name."
We met with Dr. Campbell today for the results of his CAT scan and the doctors must have talked because he walked in commenting on the great news. The CAT scan did not show any enlargement of the lymph nodes or other abnormalities a.k.a. no cancer. He also said that it is not that uncommon to have something show on the scans that is not cancerous. At this time there is no indication that Tom has any tumors. He said that the calcitonin levels may fluctuate a little and that he would like to watch it closely. This will be Tom's normal range and should be fine as long the level does not progressively climb up. Before he was able to see the doctor he had to get poked. They are looking at his calcium level as well as the calcitonin levels. Depending on what the calcitonin levels show this time he will either be checked every 4-6 week or 3 months. He is also scheduled for a CAT scan at Butterworth campus for the beginning of December with a consult on December 18. As we left the Lemmon-Holton Cancer Center, Tom and I agreed that it was nice to come out of the office with some good news for a change.
We are so happy to be past two clean scans. It is like a breath of fresh air. We can now concentrate on some of our everyday life stuff. I thank God for his blessings in life. I know that we are not yet in the clear, but each day as I trust in his goodness he shows us his grace.
Psalms 34:1-4 "I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together, and exalt his name."
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Start of School
I know that it has been a while since I blogged. Not much to say about Tom's results. We have two more days to wait to hopefully get more answers than questions this consult. The kids had their first day of school and did pretty well other than Kyle forgetting his lunch. They think it's funny that before school starts and during the first few days, the teachers have the parents sign a mound of papers. I joke with them about getting homework first! Tom thinks this day should be considered a "Back to School Holiday"!
A friend of mine shared a story last week about a friend/coworker who's husband had been given months to live from a type of cancer and now the cancer is in remission (among others that I've heard in the past year). It is good to know there are so many success stories and it keeps our hope alive. I was given a book called "The Anatomy of Hope" by a friend at church. It really does play a part in any long term disease. Thank you to so many that have given us words of hope during our idle days.
A friend of mine shared a story last week about a friend/coworker who's husband had been given months to live from a type of cancer and now the cancer is in remission (among others that I've heard in the past year). It is good to know there are so many success stories and it keeps our hope alive. I was given a book called "The Anatomy of Hope" by a friend at church. It really does play a part in any long term disease. Thank you to so many that have given us words of hope during our idle days.
Friday, August 22, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)