Prayer please! DH cancer is probably back...

[tommygirl79]

Hi SR friends!!

I know I haven't been on very much in the last couple of weeks - we were at WDW and then the past week or so has been rough. I'll try to keep this short.

In the summer of 2004, DH was diagnosed with thyroid cancer due to some freaky possible pneumonia x-ray showing some additional information. That year, he had his thyroid gland removed and has been on synthetic thyroid ever since. Every year he has had to go through body scans, bloodwork and a radioactive iodine treatment that is supposed to have killed any natural thyroid left in his body that could possibly be cancerous. For some reasons, his levels have kept coming back with some thyroid left, so his Dr. ordered a PET scan (VERY VERY detailed scan of the whole body) that he had performed on Monday (about 12 hours after we returned from Disneyworld). Wednesday morning we found out, that he has three spots - on on his media stinum (sp?) near his lung, one near his spine and one on one of his vertabrae on his neck. There is a very real chance that these are cancerous but his Dr. wants someone else to take a closer look and figure out what is going on.

So, we are headed to Mayo Clinic probably sometime this week. We have been waiting since Wednesday for them to call him with details of when we should come, but we haven't heard anything yet, so it's been a long weekend.

Luckily, we have everything worked out with my parents so that they can watch the girls (because we CAN'T take our 1st grader out of school again) so I can be with him up there.

We have a VERY strong faith in the Lord - one that carried us through 2004 and one that I'm sure will carry us through 2007 and beyond...but I'll just be real candid for a moment...I'm honestly scared to death. We thought this was all over when the thyroid was removed and this has completely slapped us in the face once again. I try not to be emotional about it and we aren't telling the girls anything about it yet for obvious reasons so I've tried to keep a happy face but in my quiet alone moments, it's all I can do not to break down and cry for the next hour....oh, i've cried, but I don't think I could cry the amount that I feel right now...

Okay, pity party over...

God is in control, He knows what's best and we belive that wholeheartedly. Please pray for us in the coming weeks. I will have my laptop by my side the whole time trying to distract myself enough to do a trip report so I'll keep everyone informed - Mayo has free wifi all around I believe...

Thanks all - I really just needed to type that all out and get it off my chest.

[Hedy]

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

[arob414]

:hugs: My prayers are with you and I strongly believe that God can and will be with ya'll all the way. My heart goes out to you and your family.:hugs:

[rygirlsmum]

Prayers for your family! God has quite the healing hand!

[Magical JenK]

Tommygirl-I'm so sorry to hear about your DH! :hugs: I know you're going through a very hard time right now & it's hard to put on a brave face all the time. I totally understand why you're doing it though.

Please keep us posted on what you find out this week! Know that we're all here for you! You & your DH are in my prayers.

Jen:hugs:

[faithhope]

:hugs: Your family is in my prayers:hugs:

Faith

[cglaura]

My thoughts are with you and your family....

:hugs:

[Blessing and Miracle]

I am so sorry to hear about your husband. Trust me I know how afraid you are and it's okay to cry if you want to. Matter of fact, it's better to go ahead and get that good cry out of the way so you can be strong for your husband and your children. I know first hand because I have been dealing with cancer for over seven years now. The good thing about your husband's cancer is that if it is back, it should be removable. That's a blessing in it's self!

My cancer can't be removed and even if I go into remission, which I've been in and out for the last seven years, I will be on some form of chemo for the rest of my life! The quality of my life will never be the same, but I still count it all joy! As long as I keep my faith in God I know that I'll be alright!

You said, your faith is in God as well. Good, keep it there! That's where your hope and your strength lies. Know that God is definitely in control.
This is why I share my story with everyone. It doesn't matter where I am, I'll tell them that God is good and His mercy endureth forever. I've had people tell me, "you aren't ashamed to tell people you have cancer" I say to them, absolutely not, because you want know unless I tell you, for I've never lost my hair, I've never had to be hospitalized nor do I look sick. But the most miraclous thing happen to me over three years ago. At the age of 39, I found out I was pregnant and boy was I terrified. I couldn't have a baby, I was a chemo patient. Found out later that I was expecting twins! To me, that was God's way of telling me to hold on and encouraging me to not to give up.
I was encouraged to abort my babies! But I knew that God had given them to me for a reason, so I kept them, even though they had been exposed to chemo for three months before I knew I was pregnant with them and then in the last trimester because my life was in danger. However, by the grace of God, my girls-Blessing and Miracle, were born at 38 weeks, both weighing in at over five pounds each, and healthier than ever! The entire MD Anderson Cancer Center staff knows about my babies, my story! They are indeed miracles.

I'm telling you all of this to encourage you and let you know that God is able to do anything, but fail. Keep your faith in Him and I gurantee you He won't let you down.

Okay, enough I can get carried away! If you ever need to talk, I'm all ears, for I truly understand! God Bless you, your husband and your family.
You are definitely in my prayers.

[ItsmeSunnyV]

:hugs: :hugs: Im so sorry for you and your family:hugs: :hugs:

[~Kathie]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your DH and your family.

I'm so glad you are going to the Mayo Clinic. Have good medical care is so important.

Keep your faith in God and it will help you to get through this.

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

[SunshineGirl]

Oh, R., I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this again. If there is absolutely anything that I can do, just let me know. Even if your parents just need a break and want the girls to come and play or something. :hugs:

[tommygirl79]

Thanks everyone! Your encouragement and prayers mean a lot...

Believe me, I've cried - for some reason I get the most upset when doing the most mundane things and my mind wonders - brushing my teeth this morning really set me off...

Tricia - thanks so much for your offer - I will let my parents know just in case....I don't think I'd have the heart to have them bring the kiddos over though - I think you have enough on your proverbial plate right now as well... When we get through some of this, I still wanna meet for that lunch! :)

Right now, I'm just even more thankful for things like our Disney trip and am so thankful that all of this came about after our trip so we were able to enjoy it and not think about real life for awhile...

Thanks again everyone...I just love our little family here...

[Blessing and Miracle]

I know! We went to DW in July and just last week I found out I was no longer in remission! Although, I expected it, I didn't want to know before we left for vacation.

During these last seven years, vacation for us has become even more important. No matter what else is going on, we take vacation to escape it all!

We're not unpacked from one before I'm thinking about the next one!:rotfl:

[Iteach]

Abundant prayers for you, your DH and kids. In the hands of the Lord, it will all be fine.:hugs:

[Arky]

My prayers are for your DH and you. I'm glad you feel like this is a place you can share!!! Unload on us, and here's a cyber hug:hugs:

[m 'n c]

I'm so sorry TommyGirl. I hope things turn out to be no big deal. I know how horrible it is to think its all gone and then have it come back unexpectedly. It happened to my grandmother a few years ago and none of us were prepared for it.

[m 'n c]

Oh I love your new signature picture. I want a little princess when I have kids and a little pirate but seeing pictures like yours makes me want 2 princesses and dress them up in the dresses.

[coastalgirl]

Oh TommyGirl, I am so sorry to hear this! Just know that you and your family will be in our prayers.

I also have to say that your girls are just adorable. Keep your faith and know that you have friends here that will let you be angry and sad and you will not be judged!

[Dove]

:hugs: I am so sorry you and your husband are going through this. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. :hugs:

[linanglab]

So, so sorry Tommygirl. Life comes at us hard sometimes. I definitely will ( and have been as I started reading these posts) pray for you and your DH. I am glad you have a strong faith in God. THAT in itself will get you and your family through. And if you need to cry and yell and scream, God has big shoulders. He can handle it. Sorry I am not close enough to help. I am glad your parents are around to help ease the load. However, if you do need something that I can help with, please let me know.

[eaglesdare]

i am so sorry to hear this. many hugs and prayers.

[nurseminnie76]

:hugs: for you and your DH. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[Wendi63]

So sorry to hear about the probability that your husband's cancer has returned. I am praying for your family that you are all able to stay strong and that he makes a full recovery.:hugs:

[jl8595]

Tommygirl - I'm so sorry about the stress you're enduring. Please keep us updated on his results and in the meantime, I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and hope for best case scenario. Your Sunshine friends are always here for you. Lots and lots of hugs to you right now.

:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

[disneynut]

:hugs: Tommygirl:hugs: So sorry to see this happening to you and your family.
Keep the faith, God knows best. :angel: I understand it is hard to be the strong faced one in front of the kids. Take the alone time and scream, cry, holler, kick the wall, what ever you feel like doing and don't be ashamed of it. We all have to let things out sometimes. Heck these boards are good for that too. By the way, I love your new pics. The girls are sooo cute. Please keep us updated. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. :sunshine:

[gshanny]

Adding more :hugs: .
I'll even toss in some pixie dust for good measure!

[spring]

You are in my thoughts and prayers.:hugs:

[tommygirl79]

Thanks again for all of the well wishes everyone!!! We really do appreciate it!

Well, after finally calling Mayo Clinic himself (we were told we would get a call by Friday and still had not gotten a call), DH found out that the Dr. is not suggesting a visit until December or January. We did not expect this! Knowing how Mayo Clinic worked the last time we were up there, we were totally expecting something in the next couple of weeks or so.

Well, the tears finally did come - as soon as we got that news. Not that the hold off is bad in and of itself, it's just that we were prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to go on up there. Now we have to wait at 2-3 months to hear anything at all and that will be hard.

I'm thankful that it's not something that the Doctor feels is enough of an immediate danger for him to get up there right away I guess, but I'm fearful of things spreading in the meantime. Cancer is an unpredictable thing and although I definitely don't claim to be as intelligent or knowledgeable as this doctor, it's just hard to wait.

I think I'm just emotionally drained...

Bottom line - we just have to wait now and I guess that is just going to have to be okay. Thanks for your prayers...

[sammielynn]

Well bless your heart. Having to wait until Dec. or Jan. has to be hard. Hang in there and rest assured that you are being prayed for!

[coastalgirl]

I am so sorry to hear that . I know the wait can be hard. I will keep you all in my prayers. :hugs:

[pbhall13]

Thoughts and prayers go out to your family. My family has just been going thru something somewhat similar to this. My brother in law was told at the end of May that he had Lymphoma (ironically my sister and I had just returned from a WDW trip with the kids) and that is when it felt like the sky just fell down upon us. Thank God we live just outside of Boston and have some of the best hospital in our area. After many doctors visits, tests, sleepless nights he was then diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. None of us had heard of this. It is an auto immune disease that can cause scar tissue on vital organs and there is no cure.......no warning as to when an outbreak can occur etc......for some reason when I saw your post I thought 'hmmm this almost sounds like the test results Dave got.....spots on lung, spinal cord and for the life of me I cannot remember the other area'.. Have they narrowed it down to a specific cancer or are they still trying to isolate the area? Hang in there until the trip up to the Mayo Clinic. They are amazing. My ex-mother in law use to work for Mayo years ago and use to rave about them. I know that you have worked with them in the past and that is a good thing to be familiar with the center.

Your faith will help you thru all of this. Remember we are all hear if you need to vent, cry, scream, or share a good/bad moment.

Pamela

[linanglab]

Sorry about the waiting....I know waiting can be, sometimes, hardest of all. I will pray that the cancer will not spread. However, I will also pray that it disappears - I have seen that happen a few times in my life. Hold on to your faith. It will get your family through this.

[tommygirl79]

Thoughts and prayers go out to your family. My family has just been going thru something somewhat similar to this. My brother in law was told at the end of May that he had Lymphoma (ironically my sister and I had just returned from a WDW trip with the kids) and that is when it felt like the sky just fell down upon us. Thank God we live just outside of Boston and have some of the best hospital in our area. After many doctors visits, tests, sleepless nights he was then diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. None of us had heard of this. It is an auto immune disease that can cause scar tissue on vital organs and there is no cure.......no warning as to when an outbreak can occur etc......for some reason when I saw your post I thought 'hmmm this almost sounds like the test results Dave got.....spots on lung, spinal cord and for the life of me I cannot remember the other area'.. Have they narrowed it down to a specific cancer or are they still trying to isolate the area? Hang in there until the trip up to the Mayo Clinic. They are amazing. My ex-mother in law use to work for Mayo years ago and use to rave about them. I know that you have worked with them in the past and that is a good thing to be familiar with the center.

Your faith will help you thru all of this. Remember we are all hear if you need to vent, cry, scream, or share a good/bad moment.

Pamela


Very funny you would mention this - DH actually has sarcoidosis as well as the cancer which is part of what is making his diagnosis so difficult. In 2004, they thought it was simply sarcoidosis at first until they did some biopsies and found out he had cancer as well. That is part of what is make the diagnoses so difficult this time around. His doctor wants to think it's simply sarcoidosis "flaring" up again, but his blood levels on his thyroid tests are not indicating that theory. Who knows....

Thanks for your words of encouragment!!! They mean so much and hearing that someone else has been going through similar things truly does help! :)

Sorry about the waiting....I know waiting can be, sometimes, hardest of all. I will pray that the cancer will not spread. However, I will also pray that it disappears - I have seen that happen a few times in my life. Hold on to your faith. It will get your family through this.


Yes - waiting is the hardest. Thanks for your prayers - it means so much!

Short update - we are now scheduled at Mayo Clinic for December 3, 4 and maybe the 5th should he need to have a surgical information appt for anything on the 5th. For now, just having a definitive date and time makes it a bit better.

For right now, God has given me an extreme peace about this situation. I'm holding tight on the fact that we are told not to worry "For who by worrying can add a day to his life." and after praying about this specifically, I truly do have that peace. DH is struggling more I think at this point because he's had a lot of time to think about what is going on in his body and it's understandably got him a little bit tense. It's kinda cool that when I was struggling the most, he was the strongest and now our roles have reversed. Silver lining......

Thanks everyone!

[pbhall13]

The Sarcoidosis is a funny thing (not really laughable, but odd/funny). It masks itself as so many other things. Right now my brother in law is dealing with Boston University Medical and Dana Farber ....BU Medical is suppose to be one of the leading specialist in Sarcoidosis. He just had another check up and they were concentrating on the spots on his lungs, his liver function and his spine. The found out that it has settle on his spine, but reassured him that this was not terrible news. It just helps them see if it is isolating itself and because all of his other functions and test came back fine they are not overly concerned (tell that to my sister and she goes nuts).

I wouldn't be suprised if it is a flare up of the Sarcoidosis. I had never heard of this until this summer and it is very scarey dealing with it and realizing that is 'masks' as so many other problems.

Prayers are with you and family and hoping that the appointment date gets here soon and allows your family to figure out the next steps to take (this waiting game is the hardest part.......I think once a 'true' diagnosis is made then you can focus on what needs to be done and not feel like you are spinning in circle)

Pamela

[TIAMOMMA]

I haven't been on the boards much in preparation for our trip to WDW next week and I just came across this thread.

I'm VERY sorry for the emotional upheaval you and your family is going through. I'm sorry that you have to wait for an answer for 2-3 more months. You and yours are in my prayers. :hugs: