Oncologist Update...

Hello Dear Ones  ---


Well, Rob and I met with the oncologist late this afternoon, and we really don't know a lot more than we learned from the surgeon.  She is, however, in a BIG hurry.

Back in January 2012... so long ago now

Dr. B. wants Rob to make decisions quickly, due to the size of the mass... for she, too, said it's very large. 


So, two things need to happen next week:

1... Rob will be getting a detailed CT with contrast of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, with her main concern being the lungs looking for more cancer spread.  This would not have shown up in the x-rays that he's been getting.  (So, my question, is why has he been getting them?  Just me asking...)  This CT has been scheduled for next Monday.

2... We are awaiting a call for a CT-guided biopsy
of lymph nodes in the mass.  They will go in through his back or side via needle.  This will tell her exactly what cancer we are dealing with.  Both she and Dr. J are pretty sure it's the same cancer as the bladder cancer, but the biopsy will tell us for sure. 

If pathology says it's a different cancer than the bladder cancer, a lymphoma, she can treat that and give him 2-3 years barring any other spread.  If it's the same cancer as the bladder cancer they found in November 2012 and January 2013, we know it has spread, and she can try to treat it with different types of chemo, depending what our insurance will cover and what she thinks he can handle.  If he tolerates it well, he can see another 6-12 months. 

If he does nothing, she said 3-6 months. 

January 2012  - Pre-cancer days

He may even start the chemo or some radiation, and not be able to tolerate it, and ask them to stop.  There are just too many "what if's" at this point in time until we get both above CT results.  But she is telling him that he has to make up his mind SOON.  

We don't have a lot of time to make decisions it seems.  I could see Rob was getting a little stressed, and a couple of times we exchanged those glances that said, "What?  Why?  No way!  What if..." and so much more in that nano second of time.  

Overwhelmed.  Overloaded.  Too much. 

We are meeting with Dr. B. again in two weeks, on Tuesday, November 11th, to go over both CT results and figure out a plan of action.

Rob asked her about the recurrence of the cancer in the left ureter, and wondering how that could be, since the kidney output seems unaffected.  She said it has not grown large enough at this point to cause a complete blockage.  Okay.  Sort of comforting.

We discussed many, many other things, and my notes were on to page two, and didn't even sound or look like the English language any longer.  I was drifting away somewhere quiet.  My hand was writing everything she said, but my mind and thoughts were frozen.  Too much, too fast.  We need TIME.  But we don't get unlimited amounts of that. We will take what we get.

But we at least have two weeks to consider things.  

These two weeks are going to drag on and disappear in a flash.


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Okay...  Well, not the definitive answers to anything that we were expecting to hear.   *sigh*


Rob is taking it all in, asking questions, trying to sort things out.  Dealing with things pretty well, considering.  Always making jokes.  Just who he is.  He's able to just let things slide off his back so he doesn't have to carry them around.  Don't know how he does it.

One thing I have learned throughout this cancer journey so far is to have patience, have faith, deal with one day at a time, and know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle.  He must know something I don't, because in the dark, quiet hours, I don't feel I'm handling anything well at all.  I am numb and tough during the daytime, and numb and reflective under the stars.  The numb just doesn't go away.

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On a lighter note, sweet little 15-week old Riley is keeping us very busy.  He's house-training pretty well  --  for the most part  --  and learning to sit, shake, wait, come, and just look at us with that cute, "thank you for loving me" face.  He has his moments of racing around and bouncing off things, including the cat, but he's really trying to please, in his own way.  He loves to curl up in my lap and sleep, but that may not last when he reaches his 65-70 pounds!  :)

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January 2012

If I hear back on the results before we see Dr. B. again on the 11th of November, I'll update, although I won't know exactly what it will mean.  It may be better if I wait until we meet with the oncologist, and have some clear answers as to which path Rob chooses to travel.  So, I probably won't update until the eve of the 11th.


Until then, know that your prayers are felt, are comforting, and are so appreciated.  And know, also, that you are in our prayers each day, as well.


Blessed in Life, and Wrapped in Peace...

... no matter what comes our way.


Cheri ♥