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| Toward Higher Ground |
You could say the bad news is – as it turns out – there were
two tumors in my small intestine. The
larger was about the size of walnut.
There was also a smaller one.
Both of these were determined to be metastasized melanoma (Any melanoma
within the body and not on the skin is metastasized).
The “good news” connected with this “find,” however, is that
all the other nearby lymph nodes and tissue the surgeon removed tested negative
for any cancer. Additionally, I
specifically asked the surgeon if the bleeding this tumor (only the large one
was bleeding) produced was enough to cause my hemoglobin problem. He responded emphatically, “Yes.” So it would seem that issue has been
resolved. My hemoglobin did remain
stable through my week in the hospital.
As for the next steps in this journey, I have been there and
done that. You can read more about my experience
with melanoma in 2010 HERE, if you wish.
There will be more imaging – a PET Scan and an MRI. What is found, or not found, will determine
what happens next. If nothing is found,
then we’ll decide on treatment or non-treatment. Any treatment with no other cancer found is
simply preventive (my 2010 experience with interferon). Non-treatment is a real option.
The next step in the process is my follow-up visit with my
surgeon for removal of my staples and an incision drain I came home with. For you medical folks, several of the nurses
that cared for me commented on my “beautiful incision.” Dr. Johnson is highly regarded for his
work. I’ll spare you the photos. That follow-up visit is next Thursday, August
28, at 1 PM.
This will continue to be my update site. I will link from Facebook and from any other
emails I send. Thanks for praying for us
and I hope you will continue to partner with us as we trust God for the days ahead. Let me encourage you to continue to use your
gifts of encouragement with others. It
is amazing the impact of a few kind words or the simple click of the “Like” icon!
Because of you we sense that the God of Angel Armies – and his
soldiers below - are by our sides!
