Past Another Hurdle, With the Lord at Our Side

The trip to and from Columbia on Monday was uneventful, unless you count the constant complaining between us concerning the gas prices. FYI, Maryville was one of the top prices!

CT scan showed fluid buildup as expected. Dr. Miller said this is the longest he's ever left a drain in. He wants to leave it another 2 weeks, then take it out and monitor it with scans. We discussed many options, and he feels that none of them will help the pancreas heal at this point, only time. We also discussed that this drain is more of an inconvenience to Brian, but he is happy to be feeling so well, and doesn't want to end up back where he was in March. Hopefully we'll make the right decision.

The right adrenal gland appears to have a slight bulge. Dr. Anderson thinks that radiology won't even catch it on their report; it was just something that caught his eye. This could be from the fact that the right has taken over for the now-absent left adrenal gland. On a downside, we've known all along that most often, melanoma affects BOTH adrenal glands, not just one...so it was somewhat unusual that the right wasn't already affected. It is also discouraging to consider that this could be a tumor starting, even though he is on Leukine (chemo). Again, all we can do is monitor this. He doesn't feel that this necessarily a tumor, just an area to watch closely.

Another issue is that the fluid could have masked any other potential areas of concern. There is no way to know that until the fluid is gone.

The brain MRI was clear. This is what we've been most worried about, and it is always good to know there are no additional mets. The one that was radiated in January appears to be breaking up, with some holes in it. These scans will be repeated in 6 weeks, and at that point, if this area hasn't grown, it probably won't. Dr. Anderson was pleased. (understatement)

Brian is scheduled for surgery on the melanoma on his back. It seems to be poking out some, which the only thing that means is that it is noticeable through his shirt, and that it is very superficial. It didn't even show up on the scan. Heck, maybe it is just a cyst...ha! This has to be done through the O.R. because of the wide excision, and will likely be on May 31st.
Past that drama, he's scheduled just to keep the chemo going and scan on June 26th.
Again, the power of prayer is phenomenal. We pray for continued good health, and for all those affected by melanoma. We also pray in a special way for Amy Wilhoite in her battle with leukemia, for Ethan Grimms (12 year old, battling the same cancer that took little Kyrie), and for Brad, a young father lost to melanoma this week.

Count your blessings, and hold your family tight!
Jenni and Brian