I met with my doctor today, and he wisely decided to do one more test before taking any of the radical measures that will most likely be indicated to treat the cancer recurrence.
On Friday morning, I will have a PET scan, which is a nuclear imaging test to detect the presence of cancer. This test should confirm whether the enlarged lymph note is indeed cancer (which is very likely), and also should determine whether or not there are any other small pockets of cancer growth that may not have shown up on the CT scan. The doctor doesn’t expect this to be the case, but would like to rule it out before making any treatment decisions.
If the cancer truly is back in this single lymph node, then both surgery and radiation are possibilities and likely chemotherapy as well. If there are multiple spots of cancer, than chemotherapy alone will be indicated.
Medically speaking, this cancer will likely not be “cured,” but the doctor did say that it very possibly could be “managed” for quite some time. As I may have mentioned, the best way to think of this cancer now is as a chronic illness, similar to diabetes or high blood pressure. In many ways this is very encouraging to me, though the possibility of multiple chemotherapy regimens over the years can feel overwhelming.
I am continuing to trust the Lord for his goodness and am so grateful for the level of peace I feel. Even waiting to have the PET scan does not seem burdensome. I am just very thankful to have today.
Blessings to you all. I know many of you are fighting the good fight of faith in more serious ways than I am right now. God is for you!
Charity, I was sorry to hear about cancer in the lymph node. Big sigh. You are in my prayers. And in my embrace.
Praying for you, Charity. It is tough, and I know a guy at work who has an uncurable cancer, but seems to know much of the grace of God in his own life.
Love, joy and peace to you, in Jesus.
No – your peace and faith have humbled me again, for what I deal with is trivial compared to what you take in stride – the stride of Christ that is
my prayers are yours
Praying….
i am to be just south of zionsville in hoosier village staying with my inlaws starting the night of the 14th. i am to be there until flying home on the 23rd.
i will be checking my email while there
so let me know at anytime if you want to get together with a silly old lady like me.
nancygetsyourmail@yahoo.com
love
love you, charity. i don’t have much more to offer than that. just love. holding it out to you in my hands, like a friend holds out a ladybug caught in the middle of the palm.
Managed. Yes, that must feel hard. I do have a friend who has had leukemia for many years; it is “managed” cancer and he leads a very full life. Still, I feel so deeply for you. Darn the distance. Really, really.
Love you,
L
Hey friend! I though about you tonight while I was taking a bath and decided to check in with you. I will definitely be praying for you for wisdom, peace and that you will continue in walking “one day at a time”…much love to you tonight 🙂