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!