Catching up
Wow, it’s been awhile! After meeting with our new oncologist in December we were referred to Indiana University for specialist consultations. Who knew one of the best Cardiothoracic Surgeons in the country is in Indianapolis? After calling and calling and waiting and calling some more, our oncologist here in town sent a detailed report of our “case” to Indiana last Friday. How do we know? Because on Monday morning we got a call from Indiana University. They wanted us to come in Wednesday for consultations as they found a time slot to see both of them in one day – very important for our work and travel!
Waiting for a few weeks to hear back about Indiana had slowed us down a bit. I had mentally prepared myself to wait a couple of months. Andrew was pretty happy filling his time with the launch of his new business. But when things start moving, they move!
Monday
After receiving the phone call letting us know we were scheduled with Indiana University, we cleared our work calendars, cancelled a couple of lunch meetings (sorry Courtney and Eli), and picked up all of our favorite road trips snacks. Andrew somehow even managed to put together a new playlist for the drive!
We also had to take care of making sure insurance covered it, finding a place to stay (thank you Rachel and Nikhil!), and quickly organize and schedule a CT scan. This was all done with surprisingly little trouble, even if it ruffled our feathers a bit to cancel everything and drive off.
Tuesday
Tuesday evening after work we packed up and headed down to Indiana. On our way, Indiana University called and let us know that there had been a cancelation and our afternoon appointment could happen in the morning. Whoo! I started planning a short afternoon at the Indiana Zoo before heading home. Arriving late in Indiana, we enjoyed some dear friend’s company before heading to sleep.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning we gathered up our things and headed over the Indiana University for our consultations. It was good to hear from the doctors and get another professional opinion.
The oncologist from Indiana University shared that he believes it’s likely to be a terratoma growth in Andrew’s lung. This type of cancer does NOT metastisize (move to other parts of the body) but it can hitch a ride with other metastisizing cancers (the ones that were killed off by chemotherapy). This terratoma will not move to other places on it’s own and it does not respond to chemotherapy, but it will continue to grow, so a surgery is a really logical treatment for it. The doctors believe that once this is removed, the cancer debacle will be behind us!
Over the last few years Indiana University has been working not only on surgical technique, but also a pre- and post-op care program. Through these efforts they have managed to reduce the risks and complications rate to just 1 or 2 % down from closer to 60% previously. This one of the reasons why the Indiana University facility is considered the best for this type of lung surgery and why our new oncologist was so eager to get us in to see them – and why we’re willing to drive back and be far from home while Andrew heals from the surgery!
Next Steps
Between now and our tentative surgery date of February 11. there are a number of things Andrew needs to do to prepare.
- Breathe 3 times a day into a tool that is supposed to increase lung strength and reduce moisture and phlegm in the lungs.
- Increase exercise levels to 30 minutes of walking a day.
- Eat more protein.
- Monitor a phase out of current medications.
Closer to surgery Andrew will also need to:
- Drink special immune supporting beverages
- Do a Hibiscrub
- Stick special bacteria-catching goop up his nose to coat his nasal cavities
- Have a lot of Gatorade (not red or purple)
We plan to follow their instructions meticulously, and are adjusting our eating and exercise habits accordingly. They say that doing so will increase healing time post-op and drastically reduce infection risks, which is great when we’re dealing with something as important as the lungs!
Prayer Requests
- Prayers for the adjustments to diet and exercise. These are probably things we should be doing anyway, but it will still be a change.
- Prayers for the surgeon and doctors as they make preparations and final decisions about surgery
- Prayers that surgery will go smoothly without complications
- Prayer for peace, safety, and patience leading up to surgery and as Andrew recovers
I can hardly believe it’s been a year of dealing with cancer. This will make two surgeries, seven weeks of chemo, and a week of hospitalization, not to mention the many weeks Andrew has/will have spent healing post-chemo and post-surgery. I also can hardly believe that this journey may finally be coming to an end! Thanks to all of you for your continued support.
ANDREW'S HEALTH UPDATES 