And so it goes.

Although this is not really the news I wanted to post, it is still an answer to prayer and we are thankful.

I would have loved to say the surgeon called today and the new scan was totally clear. A miracle. Praise God.

But that is not the news.

Praise God anyway.

So, the surgeon's nurse did call today and David's surgery is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 8. So obviously the tumor is still there. Sad.

Now that the surgery is scheduled, the anesthesiologist will call to set up an appointment also. We hope it will be the day before the surgery to eliminate multiple trips. Some say it will, others say it could be up to a week before.

The surgeon is Dr. Jose Karam. We liked him. Really we haven't met anyone at MDA that we haven't liked.

Here's info about him. http://faculty.mdanderson.org/jose_karam/
(There is an active link at the bottom of this post, it wouldn't cooperate up here.)
Please pray for him.

There may also be a vascular surgeon involved because there is a clot in a vein that will have to be removed and the vein repaired. If the clot is near the tumor, Dr. K can fix it, but if it is further up the vein then he will use a specialist. This is why he wanted the new MRI. We don't know the specific results of the MRI and I don't think we will see the surgeon again until the 8th. So that will all just be a surprise. Yea. It is, whatever.

The surgery will most likely NOT be laproscopic. Too much involved. They will do some exploring for additional cancer and could remove lymph nodes or other glands.

So. A plan at last. Not where we would like to be, but we will be glad to move forward and put the surgery behind us. David will likely recover in the hospital 4-7 days and then come home. From what I can tell, it will be about 2 weeks before he might be able to return to work and 4-6 weeks before he will begin the next treatment.

And btw, an update on the other scans. The lab in San Marcos did send the scans in the correct format. They were a little grumpy to be accused of not. So we have no idea. Maybe it was just a bad disk. We have a new disk that we will personally deliver on our next trip. At this point I don't know if it matters.

My prayer requests would be something like: wisdom and skill for the medical team, no surprises of additional or extensive cancer, and quick recovery with no complications. I'll just add peace to accept God's perfect will, all in his perfect time.

And according to the Rolling Stones...
'You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need.'

And according to another mother friend...
'You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit.'

And according to Jeremiah 29:11...
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'

Thank you so much for the prayers, hugs, snacks, and etc. We appreciate it all!

Please keep those prayers coming!

http://faculty.mdanderson.org/jose_karam/

A virtue forced on me.

Someone is obviously praying for patience for us. Stop it!

So we see the surgeon.

Yada yada. We have answered the same questions a million times. Is this a test? We keep giving the same answers. We are sticking with our story. Can all these people communicate with each other?

The surgeon wants another MRI. He wants to see it before he will schedule the surgery.

Also. The scans that were sent were not in a format that MDA uses so they couldn't read them. Did anyone call us and let is know that? Did MDA request the scans to be sent in said format? No. They did not. Thank you.

Now we are waiting to see if they can do the MRI today. We have been waiting going on 3 hours. Is it hard to call the lab and ask can you do this today? Yes or no. So my sweet sister says maybe the new MRI will show NO cancer anymore. That would be worth the wait. So, pray for that. NOT PATIENCE! I will take an F on the patience test.

I am beyond frustrated.

They just called David for the MRI. Yea! We won't have the results for several days. Especially because, holidays. Then they will contact us.

I'll be waiting for the good news of no more cancer. Pray. Thanks.

Quick update!

Davd's scans have been received.
Consultation with the surgeon, Dr. Karam, Monday December 23 @ 11am. This is the soonest no matter how I whined!
We are headed home now!

MD Anderson is a happening place.

First just let me say that everyone that we came into contact with at MDA today was wonderful.

And a lot of people have cancer. Too many.

And I hate it for all of them.

So, finally after lots of checking in and seeing this nurse and that registration person and whoever, we met with Dr. T and his lovely assistant, Vanna White, haha not really, I don't know her name, the paper I have says it is Zita Lim but David said her jacket said something else. I'll just call her Zita.  She was lovely.

Anyway, we talked with Zita and she was very thorough explaining this cancer and the current options.  She is very optimistic. We told her we are ready, let's move forward with something!

Then Dr. T. came in.  Evidently she told him we said that.  He comes in saying here's what we should do-yes! just tell us! First, have the surgery.  Taking out the tumor sometimes causes the lung nodules to shrink. The tumor has also caused a clot in a vein that has to be removed and repaired. They will have to biopsy the tumor to determine what kind of cancer it is. Pray that is is something called Clear Cell. This is the most treatable and will allow us to advance to the clinical trial.

Then after 4-6 weeks recovery he could begin the trial. David would have a 50/50 chance of being in the group that gets the experimental vaccine, along with an approved drug. Or he could just get the approved drug.  The vaccine has shown in its phase 2 study to greatly boost the effects of the approved drug.  If he doesn't get in the group that gets the vaccine, he will still be receiving the correct drug. Being in the trial will require a day trip to Houston every 3 weeks. Idk for how long.

Dr. T. is very optimistic also that with David's overall good health, he has lots of good years ahead of him. So we are going with that and praying for advancements along the way!

So now we have to wait for the surgeon to see us. Dr. T is going to tell him we are from out of town and try to make that appointment happen quickly.

Also, through some misunderstanding, David's scans did not make it here. So the hospital is having them sent overnight from the lab in San Marcos. The surgeon needs to see these before we can make plans.

Here's what I am asking God for:
1. Remove the cancer. It doesn't hurt to ask!
2. Get those scans here ASAP.
3. Meet with surgeon ASAP.
4. Have surgery ASAP, with a speedy and uneventful recovery.
5. If it has to be cancer, let it be Clear Cell.
6. If it has to be cancer, let David get in the most beneficial study to beat it back!
7. Let the drugs work for a long time.
8. Quickly and continuously find new and better treatments and cures. For all cancer. Cancer stinks.
9. Give all those sad, scared, worried, hurting people I saw today, peace.
10. Bless you for praying with me.

Thank you for your prayers, and cards, and hugs.
Thank you for the care packages for our trip.
Thank you checking on us and the girls.
Thank you for loving us!

Appointment scheduled

We have an appointment scheduled for Tuesday, December 17 at MD Anderson.  They said to plan to stay 3-5 days.  They did say that since David has had so many tests already, that it would probably be shorter rather than longer.  Ain't nobody got time for cancer.

I'm  going to need to name all these doctors because it is going to get too confusing.  The one we have seen in Kyle is Dr. Uyeki.  So he is going to be Dr. U.  The one in Houston is Dr. Tannir.  So he will be Dr. T.  And MD Anderson is now going to be MDA.  Here is a link to info about Dr. T.  He looks pretty good on paper.  Pray for him. 

http://faculty.mdanderson.org/Nizar_Tannir/Default.asp?SNID=0

Dr. U really wanted us to get in this week to see Dr. T.  He has contacted him about it.  Dr. U said it isn't concerning David's health, he just understands our schedule and knows we were hoping to have the surgery so David could recover over his school break.  So we are waiting to see if that will happen. 

I am just ready to move forward.  The waiting without a plan is so difficult.  We feel a little better each time we meet with a Dr. but then there is too long waiting without progress.  So, please pray that we can have peace with God's timing.  We really do want to follow God's plan for all this.  Please do not pray for patience!  I think the only way to learn patience is to have to wait and I don't want to add any extra time to learn that lesson!  So thanks, but no praying for patience!!!

That's really all I have right now.  But several have asked and I wanted us all to be on the same page.  And to ask you to continue to pray.  Please pray, it is so comforting for us and it is really all we have right now.

Thank you for your hugs.  David said he got 2 'bro hugs' this week!

Answers and more questions.

So a little good news first. The bone scan was clear. Yea for this! There is no metastatic cancer anywhere except the lungs. This gives us more options.  The doctor said David's charts look so great it's amazing.

Basically, David is the healthiest person in the world.  Except cancer.

The doctor laid all the options out for us. The first step for any path will be surgery. They will most likely remove the whole kidney. I hate that stupid tumor. I'd like to punch it. 

After it is removed, they will biopsy the tumor to determine what type of cancer it is. Apparently there are a few different types. One is the most common, the others are very rare. Based on stuff I don't know about, he thinks it is most likely the common type.  If it is we have more choices. If it isn't, our choice is only MD Anderson.  

I'm not going to list all the options.  We are leaning toward a clinical study in Houston.  To qualify it has to be the common type.  It would require the surgery to be done there. Then after 4-6 weeks of recovery at home, monthly trips to Houston for the treatment with local monitoring by the Dr. in Kyle.  So our next step would be to visit MD Anderson. Our oncologist here thinks this Dr. at MD Anderson is SO GREAT. He has some fancy title like 'king of all kidney cancer doctors in the world' or something. I'll find out for real and let you know. Anyway, all he does is kidney cancer. So, good. Please pray that we make the best decision for David's health and our family.  

So we asked about diet.  He said don't change anything right now.  It would be too stressful with all that's going on. He also said there aren't clear dietary guidelines for kidney cancer. Just basic good habits like we should all follow.  Yeah.  We should do a little better there...

And we asked about heredity.  David lost his father to kidney cancer about 7 years ago. He asked some questions about the rest of his family, mainly his father's siblings and cousins. He thinks it is not genetic.  Just some unfortunate coincidence.

Even with all the good news, this is still big. We know that.  We also know that our God is bigger!  He is in control. I like to be in control.  I have to let God. That annoys me but I'm trying...

Thank you all for your prayers (we truly feel them) and cards and hugs. 

We are in a little better place now and can talk about it with you if it helps you. A little. If it gets to be too much, I will wave you off or walk away. Just know it's not personal.  I just have reached a limit.  

Oh, and one more thing.  Any connection with the name of this blog and me looking like Valerie Bertinelli, (one of the actresses from the show with the same name as the blog), is not intentional.  But if you think I do, thanks!

Thank you for loving us. 

Waiting

Happy Thanksgiving!

I woke up this morning and my first thought was 'what day is it?' That is usually my first thought in the morning.  

My new second thought is 'oh yeah, cancer.'

YUCK!

We're waiting. 

I really liked that the Dr. called to give us the good news about the brain scan.

I was hoping/praying there would be more good news yesterday about the bone scan David had on Tuesday.  So now I have to rationalize why the Dr. didn't call. He set a precedent by that first call.  

So...
1.  He didn't get the results yesterday. The brain scan was on a Friday. He got the results on Tuesday and called. The bone scan was Tuesday, so it's possible he didn't get them yet.

2.  The results were delivered but he didn't have time to read them.  He called after 5:00pm about the brain scan. And yesterday was his last working day this week so maybe he didn't look at them yet.  I don't even know for sure that he worked yesterday.

3. He got the results, read them, but didn't have a chance or think to call this time. He has other patients and a life. 

4.  He got the results and read them. He didn't call because the results were not good.  He called about the other results because he thought we could use good news. He didn't want to give us bad news the day before Thanksgiving.

I'm trying to go with option 1, 2 or 3. Please pray for option 1, 2 or 3.  Pray there is no cancer in the bone while you're at it.  Waiting is so difficult. 

David has gone to spend the rest of the week with his mother.  Please pray for them.

We (the girls and I) are here with family. Lots of them. We stayed up until past midnight last night playing Mexican Train and laughing.  No one is supposed to talk about cancer, by my request.  But it's there.  I just want everyone to have a nice time.  Cancer really puts a damper on a nice time.  

Please pray for us.  I pray you have a wonderful holiday with too much food and love and laughter.  

Good News!

The oncologist just called to let us know the MRI was clear! No cancer detected in the brain!

Praise God and pass the ammunition!

Thank you for your prayers. Keep sending them up!

All the news that's fit to print.

If you have found your way to this page, then you probably know what is going on in our lives.  But if you don't, then I'll just put it out there. Sorry, no sugar coating.

We have cancer.  Not all of us.  But in much the same way a couple might say 'we're pregnant', we will have this together also.

So technically, David has been diagnosed with Kidney Cancer.  I will give you the background and all we know.  This is really all we know, or else it is all I'm going to tell you.  So either way.

On November 13, David had blood in his urine.  He went immediately to the doctor.  That very day. The doctor was not overly concerned, but referred him to a Urologist.  David had a team roping event scheduled for that weekend, so he saw the urologist on Monday, November 18.  The urologist was not overly concerned either and speculated that the blood was probably caused by some type of horseback riding injury.  David's hobby is team roping.  He spends a lot of time on his horse.

Anyway, just to be cautious, the urologist ordered a scan and a scope.  He had the scan that day, the scope and follow-up with the urologist were scheduled for Friday, November 22. 

On November 19, his 51 birthday, he had a complete physical with his primary care physician.  High blood pressure was the only concern. Yea.

From that appointment he went across the way to the urologist office and jokingly told them that unless it was absolutely necessary, he would prefer to skip the scope.  Who wouldn't?

David left the house Friday morning, planning to see the urologist and then go to work.  Friday is my day off.  I had a nap on the calendar.

Our Friday did not go as planned.  The good news was that he could skip the scope.  The urologist told David he has kidney cancer and that there are also spots on a lung.  So now he has to come back home and wake me up from my nap and tell me this.  I don't know which was worse for him, having to wake me from my beloved slumber or having to say those words.

Life changing.  Just like that.

Of course I immediately began asking every question I could think of.  We had no answers.  He was told the Oncologist would call.  So we waited.  Thankfully, the oncologist did call quickly.  

So we find ourselves in a oncology office at 11:45 on Friday, November 22, 2013.  This is not someplace you picture yourself.  I hope you are never there.
It is a rainy, dreary day.  Perfect.  I would have resented the sunshine anyway.

I'm just going to shorten the story here.  David had an MRI that day to check his brain.  He is also having another chest scan and a bone scan today.  We do not know the results of any of these tests yet.  We will meet with the oncologist again on December 3.  

So far the plan is to have the kidney/tumor removed and then to begin a drug therapy.  

This is what I have learned about kidney cancer.  I have exhausted every online source I can find for answers.  Everything I have read agrees with what the oncologist told us.  So I feel I have checked him out in a way!  Kidney cancer is typically slow growing.  If it is found early it is very curable/treatable.  They remove the tumor.  Bam.
However, once it has spread the plot thickens.  

How do you find it early you ask?  Well, you don't.  Unless you have a scan for some other reason and the tumor is spotted by chance, you are not going to have any symptoms until it is advanced.  Good to know.  Nothing we could have done about it. 

Kidney cancer does not respond too well to chemo or radiation.  Now what?

The doctor tells us that there have been tremendous advancements in the treatment of kidney cancer in even just the last 3 years.  After the tumor is removed, David will begin a drug therapy.  I do not understand all about this yet.  I'll let you know.  He did say David is young, (he liked being called that just after he turned 51) and otherwise healthy, so he should be able to get back to his job and hobbies, (IDK about that horse riding).  We do not have a timeline or any other type of prognosis. 

We know this is serious, but we are hopeful and prayerful.

I have never really had to apply my faith like this, but let me assure you we still have joy.  And your prayers are felt.  People say that and you wonder how.  But it is true.  I could have gone my whole life wondering, but now I know.  It is amazing.

We have not seen the surgeon yet, but know that he is a specialist in laproscopic and robotic surgery.  He will have surgery before Christmas.

This part is important.  We covet your prayers at this time.  And hugs.  Hugs are good.  We are taking this one day at a time.  Baby steps.  Please try not to tell us your stories or second guess the medical professionals.  We feel we are making the best decision for us.  The oncologist has given us options.  I have compared those options with what is available at MD Anderson.  They are the same.  The exact same procedures would be followed at MD Anderson as will be here.  At home.  With our family and friends nearby. If at any time, we feel MD Anderson offers more than what we will get here, we will go straight there.  Do not pass go, do not collect $200.  Straight there.

Thank you for taking time to read all of this.  I hope it answers your questions.  If you ask me in person, I am likely to ask you to go to this site and read it.  I am a crier.  And I am vain.  I do not cry pretty, like on TV.  And it messes up my make up.  Just tell me you are praying for us and give me a hug.  And you can hug David too.  He may act like he doesn't like it, but he does.  Then read the updates and pray some more.  If there are no updates, it means I don't know anything new.  Maybe I'll post a recipe or craft idea instead just to keep it interesting.

So for now, these are my thoughts.

I have named this blog 'One day at a time' because that is about all any of us can plan for.  Really.  There are no guarantees.  We have just been given a little heads up. 

I am a child of the 70's.  And I love 70's sitcoms.  So while I could quote a hymn, like 'It is well with my soul' (because it is) or a scripture, like Philippians 4:13, (because we can) (and if you aren't familiar with either, you will have to look them up for yourself, it will be a good for you!), instead I will quote a 70's sitcom theme song because this is what keeps going though my head.  Feel free to sing along.

♪♫♪

This is it. 

This is life, the one you get, so go and have a ball.

This is it.

Straight ahead and rest assured, you can't be sure at all.

So while you're here enjoy the view.
Keep on doing what you do
Hold on tight we'll muddle through
One day at a time. 

So up on your feet. 

Somewhere there's music playing.
Don't you worry none, we'll just take it like it comes.
One day at a time.

 ♫♪♫

Thank you for loving us.  Please don't stop.

Happy Thanksgiving!