The meeting with Dr. Kernstine DID take place as planned about 2 hours ago. He was very professional and explained that ALL the previous tests had shown that the mesothelioma was in SEVERAL areas around the right lung. The esophagus and trachea tests BOTH confirmed that cancer was present in at least ONE lymph node in or around the sternum.
He told us that there were two choices. Namely:-
A) Take a FINAL test or
B) Start a 15 - 20 week combination of Chemo Therapy and Radiation.
Gisela said "OK ONE more test, then what?" The Dr. explained that under a General Anesthetic he would "explore" to see if the cancer had penetrated her diaphragm and "infected" other "organs" / "areas". The analysis would of the "results" would take 5-6 days. If it HAD penetrated then FURTHER surgery would NOT be an option.
Thinking "positively" he said that IF the cancer had ONLY reached the diaphragm but NOT gone further he would schedule a MAJOR operation to "clean-out" ALL the infected areas within a week to 10 days. He stressed that this surgery would take between 6 and 7 hours and would be VERY PAINFUL"!
My bride did NOT hesitate--------------" GO FOR IT!---------------------- "Please" she added.
So the FINAL test could be THIS Friday or NEXT Tuesday.
Thank you for the updates dear brother. Prayers ascending and abounding. May the Lord sustain you somehow in the midst of all this. I cannot even begin to imagine the anguish this is causing, but you do have my love and prayers.
ReplyDeleteGisela and I are "surrounded" by family and friends who like you share their caring in so many ways. A quick email; the odd phone call (usually to me as Gisela abhors the instrument-at the moment). The actually pain in her body is a constant reminder for her the metaphorical pain in our heads never seems to lessen. Her "Faith" has been strengthened by leaps and bounds the "Evil-One" is leaving mine in "tatters", Just "doing his job" of raising doubt. Debra thank you for your kind words and Nicole thankyou for poiting the "comment' out. We love you both.
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