It does not seem like it has been 20 days since my last post. It has been very busy in the Andrews' household. I know that I sound like a broken record, but life with 3 kids keeps one running! Thank you to the Gantzers for sharing their boy during Spring Break. I believe everyone had such a fun time. I have to say that I enjoyed the first bon fire of the year the most that week. The s'mores were sooo tasty!
Tom has remained busy as usual. He was able to also enjoy some of the kids spring break also, but he felt his age a few hours after roller skating! He also enjoyed seeing the family for Easter dinner.
Tom had a discussion with the nurse at the University of Michigan. There was an agreement that at this time there is not a need for him to see Dr. Prince as all the scans were showing clean. However Dr. Prince is still suspicious about the uptake in the Octreoscan in the chest area and the increase in the Calcitonin levels. So until our next meeting in August with Dr. Campbell we will just have to "wait and see" ....the life of a cancer patient!
There is a lot going on in our lives. I have 2 more classes to go & then I will take a break for the summer. The 2 youngest Andrews' are in ball this year and Katie is finishing up another Cheer leading session. Tom may be joining me this fall at KVCC for a Biology class, which will be fun to attend a class together once again. This time it will be him helping me understand the course studies, as last time it was Principles of Accounting. Who's the bean counter?! Thanks for letting us share our Life with you. Have a blessed week.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Results
It is harder for us to study as the nights are lighter longer and the days are warming up a little. I am glad that Spring break is only a day away! We are not able to go away this year, but we will have fun filled days regardless. Maybe the activities here will be less crowded.
Tom finally had his MRI last Thursday here in GR. I describe the experience as taking a 4 year old to a place they do not want to be, yes I mean figuratively kick and screaming. I am glad that is behind us! The blood count results have come back , the calcitonin level has dropped 13 points, down to 285. It is not as big of a drop as the increase , but it is at least in the right direction.
Next week Tom's Oncologist will read the MRI results and let us know what the next step will be as he is currently taking his Spring Vacation this week. Our next appointment with his office is not until August, so we may have summer filled with more days of fun than doctor visits this time around!
Psalms 38:9 "Lord, you know how I long for my health once more. You hear my every sigh."
Tom finally had his MRI last Thursday here in GR. I describe the experience as taking a 4 year old to a place they do not want to be, yes I mean figuratively kick and screaming. I am glad that is behind us! The blood count results have come back , the calcitonin level has dropped 13 points, down to 285. It is not as big of a drop as the increase , but it is at least in the right direction.
Next week Tom's Oncologist will read the MRI results and let us know what the next step will be as he is currently taking his Spring Vacation this week. Our next appointment with his office is not until August, so we may have summer filled with more days of fun than doctor visits this time around!
Psalms 38:9 "Lord, you know how I long for my health once more. You hear my every sigh."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Today
Today Tom and Cody are heading off to Chicago! They should have beautiful weather and I hope they are able to just enjoy the day. Along with Cody, Tom is chaperoning 2 other boys and I know he can handle that. Tom and Cody have both been looking forward to this field trip all year long.
Tom's MRI is scheduled for Thursday, March 26. I have called U of M to cancel the appointment for Friday, but they wanted the doctor's blessing first. However, Tom has other plans for Friday so we will have to reschedule either way. Last Friday, March 20 Tom was poked again and I have a call into Tom's primary office to get the results of his calcitonin levels. So for now we just enjoy the day, and warmer weather!
Thanks for the beautiful cards and words of encouragement, they are cherished in our hearts.
Matthew 6:33-34"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Tom's MRI is scheduled for Thursday, March 26. I have called U of M to cancel the appointment for Friday, but they wanted the doctor's blessing first. However, Tom has other plans for Friday so we will have to reschedule either way. Last Friday, March 20 Tom was poked again and I have a call into Tom's primary office to get the results of his calcitonin levels. So for now we just enjoy the day, and warmer weather!
Thanks for the beautiful cards and words of encouragement, they are cherished in our hearts.
Matthew 6:33-34"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Sunday, March 15, 2009
New Scan Same Results
The old saying goes....No news is good news. Tom's latest Octreoscan came back clear. While this is good, it just means the cancer hasn't grown large enough to find. Tom's primary doctor believes that with the previous radiation treatment is keeping the cancer from becoming aggressive.
So it looks like we will shift back into a wait and see mode. They will more than likely hold off any scans until August. I am sure, to Tom's delight, that they will only poke him every couple of months for his blood counts.
Tom cancelled his MRI for last Saturday night. He will have to call this week to reschedule it. He felt that there was no hurry to get this done as we have decided to also cancel the U of M visit. There is no need to talk with a surgeon when there is nothing he can do at this point. You can't remove what you can't see. Honestly I believe Tom needs a break from scans, doctor visits, and hospitals (work excluded).
Last weekend Tom was able to enjoy some time out in the woods with his sons. This was Cody's first time hunting. Even though it was a rainy day, I think all my boys had a good time. Cody even got his first rabbit. Tom was very proud. Being in the woods brings back fond memories of rabbit hunting with his grandfather. The boys really got into it but I put my foot down when they asked if they could get a Beagle!
So it looks like we will shift back into a wait and see mode. They will more than likely hold off any scans until August. I am sure, to Tom's delight, that they will only poke him every couple of months for his blood counts.
Tom cancelled his MRI for last Saturday night. He will have to call this week to reschedule it. He felt that there was no hurry to get this done as we have decided to also cancel the U of M visit. There is no need to talk with a surgeon when there is nothing he can do at this point. You can't remove what you can't see. Honestly I believe Tom needs a break from scans, doctor visits, and hospitals (work excluded).
Last weekend Tom was able to enjoy some time out in the woods with his sons. This was Cody's first time hunting. Even though it was a rainy day, I think all my boys had a good time. Cody even got his first rabbit. Tom was very proud. Being in the woods brings back fond memories of rabbit hunting with his grandfather. The boys really got into it but I put my foot down when they asked if they could get a Beagle!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
One to Go
Tom had his Octreoscan on Wednesday and Thursday of this past week. I tried to keep my husband amused. I'm not sure if he laughed harder when I was confused about which floor to go to when we were on level 1 and going down to the basement (and there is only one choice for those who are wondering) or when I pushed the wrong button and set off the alarm bell. You would have thought my mind was elsewhere! I was treated to breakfast in the cafeteria when the ordeal was done, unfortunately I spilled my coffee before we sat down. He can't take me anywhere!
Tom's MRI has been rescheduled for this Saturday, March 14, still plenty of time to get the results to the U of M for our consult. Tom is sick of being poked and prodded and I can't blame him. I am hoping that we hear from a doctor before we head there, but only if the news is good.
We take a breath this week and remember to cherish all of our days. Thanks again to those of you who follow Tom's progress and for assurances you share with us. I watched Beth Moore this past week and really agreed with what she said. She talked about walking with God and trying not to control or lead our situations, especially the hard days. Her message was with me all during Tom's test Thursday and beyond. "I trust God. I trust God!" Amen
Tom's MRI has been rescheduled for this Saturday, March 14, still plenty of time to get the results to the U of M for our consult. Tom is sick of being poked and prodded and I can't blame him. I am hoping that we hear from a doctor before we head there, but only if the news is good.
We take a breath this week and remember to cherish all of our days. Thanks again to those of you who follow Tom's progress and for assurances you share with us. I watched Beth Moore this past week and really agreed with what she said. She talked about walking with God and trying not to control or lead our situations, especially the hard days. Her message was with me all during Tom's test Thursday and beyond. "I trust God. I trust God!" Amen
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Testing, Testing
We had to make a few phone calls to get all the tests set up to be completed before we went to U of M. Tom's allergies to the contrast does not allow him the freedom to be tested anywhere, he must be tested at the hospital. So the next couple of weeks Tom will be busy with the Octreoscan & MRI.
Wednesday, March 4 Tom has his Octreoscan scheduled. He will receive an afternoon nuclear injection and then after a 4 hour wait, he will have his first scan. Thursday morning he will have another scan which is a lengthy process and hopefully they will not need another test a 3rd morning. Wednesday, March 11 Tom has his MRI scheduled and this process will take about an hour to complete.
This will all be forwarded to the U of M for our March 27 consultation with Dr. Prince. I am glad that we were able to move Tom's U of M appointment from April 17 to March 27. It's interesting that the appointment date was changed before we even had this new diagnosis. God is good!
John 17:31-33 "Do you finally believe this?" Jesus asked. "But the time is coming - in fact, it is here - when you will be scattered, each one returning to his own home, leaving me alone. Yet I will not be alone, for the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world."
Wednesday, March 4 Tom has his Octreoscan scheduled. He will receive an afternoon nuclear injection and then after a 4 hour wait, he will have his first scan. Thursday morning he will have another scan which is a lengthy process and hopefully they will not need another test a 3rd morning. Wednesday, March 11 Tom has his MRI scheduled and this process will take about an hour to complete.
This will all be forwarded to the U of M for our March 27 consultation with Dr. Prince. I am glad that we were able to move Tom's U of M appointment from April 17 to March 27. It's interesting that the appointment date was changed before we even had this new diagnosis. God is good!
John 17:31-33 "Do you finally believe this?" Jesus asked. "But the time is coming - in fact, it is here - when you will be scattered, each one returning to his own home, leaving me alone. Yet I will not be alone, for the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world."
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)