Promising day...

Well, we met with the oncologist for Mom today. We don't know much more than we did yesterday, but the news is promising. The tumor is 2.2 centimeters, about as big around as a nickel. Mom will do a PET scan sometime in the next 2 weeks, and if you remember from my Dad, the PET scan is kind of like an MRI, but they inject a different kind of contrast that clings to cancer cells and shows up by glowing. Dr. Bodkin wants to be sure that this tumor is isolated and has not spread. I guess there are some spots on her liver that are suspect, but Dr. Bodkin thinks that they are just cysts, and the PET scan will (hopefully) show that these are indeed, just cysts. The Dr. that did the biopsy, didn't think that the lymph nodes in the chest were involved, but once again, we are hoping that the PET scan will confirm this.

Once we determine the extent of the cancer, there are a multitude of different treatments. If all goes well, and it is isolated, (which is best case scenario and what we are hoping for), then there is a possibility of surgery to remove it, a couple less invasive treatments using a hot probe or a cold probe to destroy the tumor, and a radiation treatment that targets the tumor specifically.

In addition to the PET scan, the Dr. wants to do a lung function test to see if Mom is even a candidate for surgical removal if that is an option.

These tests are to be completed in the next 10-14 days and we go back on December 1st to discuss next steps.

Mom is pleased with the news, and I (being a little paranoid as of late) am remaining cautiously optimistic for now.

Dad continues to be very very tired. He is awake, and knows we are there, but doesn't really open his eyes. He listens to everything and if I ask him a question, he will answer. But most of the time, he just lays there with his eyes closed. We see the oncologist on Friday, and then he gets the long awaited MRI next week. Hopefully, good or bad, it will help explain some of his symptoms.

It has been a long day...It included buying my Mom a new artificial Christmas tree, which when I got it home and put it up, the lights didn't work...And my "Check Engine" light came on...But all in all, as frustrating as the little things are, I am still holding hope that today's news about Mom is as good as it seems.

Love to all!