went for the thyroid nodule biopsy yesterday...
it was fascinating!
once again... i got to lie on my back and watch the whole thing on the ultrasound monitor... seeing the needle go in for the 6 passes it took to get enough tissue to make a diagnosis... each time amazed with how close it came to my pulsating carotid artery. yikes! doc... are you sure that student is ready to be practicing on me???
truly fascinating!
i'll hear results later this week.
then a trip up to the clinic resulted in hearing that i've been placed in arm/group 1 of the clinical study... which means i'll get the same treatment emma got when she had her melanoma 5 years ago (interferon).
bummer. i was hoping for group 2... but since we have been asking G*D to put us in the group that would be best for my condition... now we have to walk in faith that he did indeed do that.
faith is always so much easier when G*D answers our prayers the way we thought he should answer them.
anyway... on monday i'll head over to ann arbor... have a midline installed in my arm that will last for the entire month... and get the first of monday-friday infusions. i'll have the weekends off. and after the month... i'll give myself shots at home on monday, wednesday & fridays... for 48 weeks.
i should be off work for at least 6 weeks. they say that by that time i'll have a pretty good idea of how i'm going to respond to the injections. most people are able to go back to work at that time. i'm hoping and praying that will be true for me.
of course they'll watch me closely along the way... and if my liver goes wacky... they'll give me a break.
since beth is heavy into her new job... we're lining up people who live in jackson and work in ann arbor to drop me off at the hospital on their way in... then beth or someone can pick me up after my infusion which takes 3 hours each day. that way beth can keep things somewhat normal with work.
of course... westwinds is being great about it all. and emma is already coaching me on what to expect. and i have an incredible family. what more could i ask for?
yesterday... when i was at the u of m... i was walking down the big corridor behind a young lady pushing a wheelchair. she had a bad case of scoliosis and as i passed her, i noticed she was pushing her oxygen tank in the wheelchair.
wow... a quick reminder that my situation is nothing compared to what so many have to deal with every day of their entire life.
beth said her dad used to always say... "be kind... everyone is fighting a battle."
good words.
Randy, thanks for the continued updates on your blog. It's so helpful to know how and when to pray for you and your family. I love your quote about faith being easy when you get the answer you want. It's funny how we tend to want God to fit in the little boxes we created. We're continuing to pray. We love you guys!
Posted by: angie | March 01, 2007 at 09:57 AM
It is good to know the plan. I hope you have the experience and success that Emma has had. Just be prepared for it to seem tougher. Those cancer kids are so much stronger than most of us adults. The doctors will say it has to do with their less developed pain receptors. I would like to think it is God showing mercy on the little ones.
Regardless, we wish we were closer to help you right now. We will continue in prayer. You are loved and missed.
Posted by: Rick Lingenfelter | March 01, 2007 at 12:24 PM
At the risk of sounding redundant, I'm really glad you are keeping us updated on your progress.
You are most definitely in our prayers. We're cheering every good report and praying for the next one.
All the best,
Shane & Kim
Posted by: Shane & Kim Praay | March 01, 2007 at 07:22 PM