More Updates on Daddy (2)

Below are the two most recent e-mails I sent out about my Daddy. Thanks for praying. (Some of you know him as Jim but others know him as Richard.)

From Friday, July 17, 2009

Please pray for:

#1 complete healing

#2 accurate results of the biopsy

#3 wisdom & discernment for the doctors

Biopsy update:

Daddy & I went this morning to get his biopsy done.

The doctor took two samples from different directions out of his lymph node. He said the results would hopefully be back by Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. He seemed hopeful for Monday afternoon. The nurse seemed to think Tuesday morning was more likely. The doctor told us to call Monday afternoon to check if they didn’t call us. Visually, he can’t tell what he drew out; however, he did say some of it looked like pus which is a sign of infection. (BTW, Daddy was a real trooper… there was no numbing, & it looked painful. I think I flinched more than him!)

Here is a little clarification:

Regardless of the results, Daddy will have a temporary tracheotomy until the mass is taken care of. He didn’t say when this would be done. The results of the biopsy will determine this. He has to have the tracheotomy because when he has a procedure done to take care of the mass, a tube may not fit around it which would result in an emergency tracheotomy. If he already has one, then this “emergency” will be avoided. Also, JA and I can stop checking on him in the morning to make sure he’s still breathing. =0)

Again, if no cancer is found, the doctor here in Hendersonville will take care of everything. He will “debulk” and drain the mass. I didn’t think to ask if this would be done in the office or if it was a hospital procedure. I’m thinking hospital.

If cancer is found, everything will be done at Vanderbilt. There are several options depending on what would be found. Hopefully, we won’t even have to think about these options!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

From today, Monday, July 20, 2009

Good news, the doctor called this afternoon. The biopsy from the lymph node did NOT show squamous cell cancer; however, it does suggest Lymphoma. As you probably know, this is a cancer. The doctor was relieved that it was not squamous because that would have been a much more intrusive surgery perhaps resulting in a permanent voice loss. Lymphoma is very treatable with a very high survival rate.

What now?

We go sometime tomorrow to find out more. The doctor is going to call with a time.

He doesn’t know yet which type of lymphoma we are dealing with (Hodgkin’s or Non-Hodgkin’s). By the little bit of research I was doing this morning, Daddy has just about all the symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. However, the symptoms for Non-Hodgkin’s are almost identical. The only way to tell the difference is for a doctor to detect the presence or absence of a particular type of cell. I’ve pretty much gotten this info from http://www.mayoclinic.com . If you go there, you can do a search for these & read lots of different things.

As of now, Daddy will most likely receive chemo but not radiation. He will still have the temporary tracheotomy. The doctor will “debulk” the mass in his throat. When he does this, he will send it off for a biopsy to be certain Daddy is not dealing with 2 types of cancer. The doctor is hopeful that the mass is not squamous.

Since Daddy will not need an intensive surgery at this point, the doctor is not sending him to Vanderbilt. It will be handled here.

We realize what a blessing this HUGE mass in his throat has become. It was its presence that finally got some action and treatment for something that perhaps has been present for a while. It seems the mass may be “nothing” except a gift from God to get treatment for the lymphoma.

Thank you for your continued prayers for complete healing! Please also continue to pray for wisdom & discernment for all involved.

Blessings,

Melinda for Richard and family

PS We’ll update you again tomorrow, most likely.