The "C" Word

Unfortunately I don't have a witty way to start this post.  I have been sitting here for 5 minutes starring at the blinking cursor and I really need to get to bed soon, so I guess I had just better dive in.

Mom has been sick with a horrendous cough since Thanksgiving.  At first we thought she had the same crud everyone else seemed to have.  But she got worse.   The doctor thought she had severe asthma.  She had asthma as a child so this explanation seemed to make sense.  Asthma treatments weren't working so then the doctor started investigating more.  At this point she could barely walk or talk without wheezing and is constantly exhausted.  After an MRI detected some swollen lymph nodes in her throat and some nodules behind her breastbone, she had a biopsy.  The word Lymphoma was tossed around. 

Last Thursday, April 5th,  she spoke with the doctor over the phone.  He told her the pathology result showed small cell lung cancer.  Even though we knew cancer was a possibility,  I can't describe what a shock hearing those results was.  The doctor didn't give much information at that point and said he would see her on Tuesday for a post op appointment.

Yesterday we went to the doctor.  He confirmed what he had already told her over the phone and let her know that the next steps would be to see an Oncologist and a Radiologist.  Surgery is not an option for this type of cancer and Chemotherapy is that standard course of treatment.  It will most likely be coupled with radiation.  She will also have some other diagnostic tests to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else.  The doctor said he is hopeful that the chemotherapy will shrink the tumors that are pressing against her trachea and then she will be able to breathe a lot better.

So tomorrow we are off to the radiologist and oncologist to see what the plan is.  Prayers, positive thoughts and any good karma you can throw our way are greatly appreciated!