Update

I was bummed this morning when I was told that my appointment with Surgical Oncologist #1 was going to be changed to Surgical Oncologist #2.   Why? Because I had learned yesterday (from a caring sister-in-law) that one of my nieces works in the same practice as #1.  Wouldn't that be wonderful? This morning, that niece called me to tell me that she was really hoping that I could be seen by a different Surgical Oncologist that she knows well.  None other than Surgical Oncologist #2!   Wish it could be sooner, but I'll be seeing #2 on April 13. I know that I'm not the queen of the world, and the outcome might be pretty bleak, but it sure is great when God brings along little confirmations that remind me He is in control of everything.  "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9

Secondary liver cancer of unknown origin.  That's what all the scans and blood tests reveal.  So far, the Radiologists and Oncologist can't identify where the primary tumor is ... or was.  The primary tumor may have been small and my body attacked and killed it some time ago. Maybe it's a like a big, growing kid with very destructive behaviors and the parent is avoiding our calls.  I may have said that very thing about a few students I knew when I was an elementary school building nurse. As I am able to understand it, here are 3 medical options that may control the symptoms and growth: Chemotherapy - either "whole body" or directly injected into the tumor Radiation - radiation beads or microwaves directly inserted/injected into the tumor Surgery - remove the tumor and effected part of the liver If I'm a candidate for surgery, it could have the potential for having the better results, but, because the tumor is so big and so deep, the risks may outweigh the bene...

John and I just returned from our first appointment with the Oncologist.  As I expected, he ordered a bunch of additional tests. (PET body scan, MRI of head, lab tests to identify cancer markers and genetic studies) He confirmed that this cancer is an aggressive, Stage 4 cancer and is incurable.   I'm stuck with it.   It started out somewhere else in my body.  The tests will help define where it started and may lead to a therapy that could possibly help control symptoms or keep it from spreading more.  He ordered a different pain medication.  In the meantime, the Oncologist prescribed some medication to alleviate the pain and nausea.    I kinda knew all this, but I'm numb right now.   Many years ago, I worked with a pastor who told me he was working on a sermon he was going to call "But, the LORD".  He gave me a sample in his beautiful cultural style.  "Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and sin entered the world....

It is Friday.  I've been anxiously awaiting the results of the liver biopsy.  I was told that it MIGHT be done by today.  How many times am I allowed to call the MD's office on a Friday afternoon?  When will the office close?  Will I be able to wait until Monday? At noon, I got a notification that the results were in MyChart (my electronic health file).  John was next to me when we read the results: Liver carcinoma...malignant.   That's cancer in the liver, that didn't start in the liver, but spread to the liver from another site.  According the the ultrasound used to perform the needle biopsy, the liver cancer is now 8.8 cm. I will see an Oncologist on March 22, who will, no doubt, start scanning and probing around for the original tumor before recommending a course of treatment.  Last November, I was challenged to start memorizing a Bible Verse each week.  I've actually stuck with it, probably because I'm using a nifty APP on my p...

The Gastroenterologist told me that he wanted me to have a liver biopsy STAT.  (that means, immediately) STAT ended up being 2 weeks later.   My life was reduced to my recliner.  I couldn't seem to concentrate on much and ended up watching lots of TV.  Blah!  I told my family and some dear friends.  I needed to do that anyway, to explain why I'd been "out of commission" for so long.  Fortunately for me, several people wanted to put me on their church prayer chain etc.   Oh, yeah.  Prayer.  Had I prayed for myself?  Had I asked anyone to pray for me?  Soon, I started begging people to pray for me, especially that I'd have PATIENCE while I waited for the day to come.  I wanted answers last month!  STAT During one of King David's many conflicts, he wrote:  "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." Psalm 62:5 And, finally, the day is here.