9-13-10 Update

As most people know I went to meet with some of my doctors last week, so I am a little bit late in writing an update. From the initial report about my scans, we were thinking things were pretty good, but it turned out to be a little bit more complicated than we originally thought. I met with my thoracic surgeon who compared scans from Feb, May, and August and although the reports say the tumor is about the same size, my surgeon was not really convinced that it has stopped growing, she is feeling like there may have been some changes in the tumor. It turns out that the largest tumor remaining that they sent me to the surgeon for (it is more than 5cm) is not actually in my lung, but kind of sitting right between the two lungs and if it grows could start to affect my breathing. For this reason I believe I will be having surgery, which is tentatively scheduled for 9/29. 
There are several other smaller tumors that we are considering removing since they will already be operating. My doctors are still trying to work out what the best approach is, and my endocrinologist is overseas until 9/20 so even though we can consult with him via email, we are still not sure what is going to happen.

To be honest, I have been having a real hard time emotionally with this, I think because I don't really know what is going to happen. I feel like if they are going to operate I just want it done, and then want to move ahead with some sort of medication. It seems like a constant waiting game, and in my mind that just gives the cancer more time to grow. Another thing, that I know will be good but it also kind of stressful is that we are trying to get a second opinion from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. It has been in the back of my mind (and other family members) to do something like this, but after talking with our close family friend who is an oncologist in Kentucky we decided to seriously look into it. My doctors office is working on getting together all the records MSKCC has requested, and once we have sent those I should hear back about when we can get an appointment. The difficult thing is that I know I want things to move as quickly as possible, and I don't want to postpone this surgery if I don't have to, but it seems wise to get the second opinion before operating, in case these doctors have a different idea for treatment. The advantage to going to a cancer treatment hospital is that all the doctors work together from the same place, whereas I am going back and forth between hospitals and different doctors offices. We are hoping having everyone in one place will help, plus since they specialize in cancer treatment they may have options of other medications or trials that my current doctors don't.

So as you can see, there is a lot going on right now and we really need your prayers. Pray that we are able to get this second opinion as quickly as possible, for my current doctors in deciding on what they think is best, and for my emotional state which is a little shaky right now. Usually if I get emotional, it is normally for a day or two then I am able to pull it together but right now with so many unknowns, and so much happening (but yet not soon enough) I really am pretty shaken. I know that God has a plan for us, and that it is all in his hands but I am still human and am struggling right now. I thank God for my family, and especially Josh who has been my rock through this. I don't know how I would get through this without my family, because right now I am really leaning on them for support.

I will let you know if there are any more developments, or decisions made. Thanks for all your love and prayers.

Hattie