Pray

That's all I ask... Pray. Please.

We got the call Wednesday afternoon that Tom's cancer is back. This is how it all happened...

Since losing my job March 6th, we had to move up Tom's 6-month appointments from the end of April to happen in March since our insurance would expire at the end of the month. Tom's blood work and x-rays with his Oncologist came back just fine. However, the Dermatologist took a suspicious mole off his right front abdomen. It's not the first time he took a mole off, but it was the first time we got a call that it had A-typia cells. Which means for someone with no cancer history, it's not cancerous, and no further action is required. BUT for someone WITH cancer history, it could become (or is) cancer. May 15th the area was excised; about 1-1/5" x 3" oblong area. About a week after we got that first call, a cyst had formed under Tom's skin about a half inch away from the mole that had been removed. He first noticed it because he had an itch, then it hurt (which is how the mole on his back started feeling before we found out he had cancer). The dermatologist thought it was just a normal cyst that people get from time to time; however, this was not the case.

We got the call on Wednesday this week that the cyst actually WAS melanoma, and a larger excision would be necessary because the margin they used was too small to ensure they got all the cancer from the surrounding tissue. Info was sent to Tom's Oncologist, a cat scan was scheduled (did that yesterday), and a follow-up appointment for today to find out the results of the cat scan and determine a treatment plan.

Results (it's gonna be ok).
Tom was sooo nervous to get the results of the cat scan today. I was nervous, too, but I also am his strength. God gave me a gift of strength. To be a person of strength in times like this to get us through it. I thank God for giving me this. We believe all things are possible thru Him. Anyways, Tom's blood pressure was really high when we got to in the Dr.'s office (to be expected). Nathan was quite lively looking at the pretty lights and scratching at the funny paper on the examination table.

Tom's Oncologist explained the cat scan showed three noduals. Two that were there in '06 and have not changed in 3-yrs. (ok, so nothing to worry about) The 3rd nodual was new, but that's not to say it wasn't there 3 yrs ago and just not seen. It isn't huge or mass-like, no nothing to worry about, just monitor. Tom will have an x-ray and blood work in 3 months, then another cat scan in 6 months. Dr. said at this time, there is no evidence that the cancer spread anywhere past the localized area it was found, so no reason to go through chemo again. Did that once, hopefully we never have to do it again. He did suggest that we could find out if UW-Madison is doing any vaccine tests for a situation like this. He will get us info when we go back in 3 months. For now, we needed to schedule surgery to ensure a larger area of affected skin is excised.

Tom's surgeon was in surgery all day today, but they paged him and he said YES, I will see Tom today. We saw the most wonderful surgeon on the face of the planet and Tom's surgery is scheduled for June 10th.

Insurance nightmare.
As if having cancer return isn't a nightmare enough. Since losing my job, trying to get the new ARRA Cobra program, finding out we couldn't, trying to get signed on Tom's plan, and now finding we missed the window.... it's a nightmare. Basically, we have a wonderful woman advocating on our behalf to get ppwrk backdated so that we acrually have coverage since April 1st, which would cover about $20K+ worth of medical services. The final answer is still unknown, so this is an angoing battle.

The Job.
Tom starts a new job on Tuesday (next week). No insurance for 90-days (but we will somehow get cobra, one way or another....). Tom will have to explain to his new job that he is having outpatient surgery on the 10th, and he will not be able to return to work until the 22nd, and probably on light duty. We're hoping and praying that his new job will understand, and they should because Tom disclosed his cancer diagnosis at his physical after the job offer.

We are so greatful Tom got this new job! THEY called him, and he happened to be on lay-off at the time, so the timing couldn't be more perfect... or more troublesome with the cancer coming back right now... Regardless, he will be closer to home, only driving about 2-3 miles to work instead of 30, he will be on 8-hr shifts, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, rotating and we will see him one heck of a lot more than when he worked 10's on 2nd shift 35 mins away with no hope of any other shift.

Pray.
It's a simple request. Please pray for us that Tom's surgery is a success, his follow-up scans have good results, insurance gets figured out, his new employer understands, and his job is the right move at the right time. We are so greatful and thankful for such wonderful friends and family for your support and emotional understanding. God Bless each of you. Nathan says Thanks, too!

Love,
Roxanne :)
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