Dr. Forget called and said that "the findings are consistent with a tumor". Something was said about the inferior/ posterior portion of the right side of my brain but I am so reeling from the news that I cannot even focus. I was totally at peace since the spectroscopy on Friday due to Dr. Forget saying he was 99% positive there is no change the last time I spoke with him.
This is what we are looking at.
1. Another gross resection of the right frontal lobe. Remove more brain tissue including good tissue. Have gliadel (a chemo agent) put on the brain like alkaseltzer tablets to release chemo after the surgery. They stick on like "wallpaper" per Dr. Forget. After the surgery I am to take Temodar till Dr. Needles deems necessary to stop. The surgery has a risk of a 20 - 25% personality change.
We are planning on taking time to see both Dr. Forget and Needles sometime soon. Dr. Forget was willing to come to Dr. Needles office to meet together therefore saving us a fifty dollar copay. That is the positive part about this all. Yes, fifty dollars. It is important to me. The surgery will most likely be by the end of the year.
Please pray for wisdom regarding all of this. Dave has yet to process it all. I unfortunately process very quickly.
21 comments:
Kate:
Sending you a HUGE hug and a shoulder to cry on. I can only imagine the "shock" from Dr. Forget. I'm so sorry. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I know you and Dave are probably devistated and wonder what happened- why again do we have to go through this again, haven't we been through enough? Cancer sucks and it isn't fair to whom ever gets it and not fair for their families. I don't have any magic or philosophical words or cure for you, I am praying for you and your new trial and fight in your life. Take care and if there is anything we can do please let us know.
Danielle (from IN)
Kate,
Just checked in and saw your post. What a huge blow! I know that there is not a single word any of us can say that eases your pain, shock or fear, but please know that you are being prayerd for so often by so many people. Thanks for your honesty at each step of the journey.
Susan Andrews
Kate,
I read your blog daily and had been praying especially over the weekend for you. I've never posted before because this format is overwhelming to me, but I wanted to let you know that I will continue to pray for your strength, endurance, perserverance, and your joy. You have been an encouragement to me and a witness to my neighbors as I was able to explain to them on Halloween why you don't eat sugar. And especially how you have handled this situation through reliance on Jesus. I would feel blessed to help anyway I can. I'm right around the corner.
Lauren
Kate...What a wicked blow to an otherwise great holiday...regrowth and the need for additional surgery and the intitution of chemo...we are ALL praying fervently for you, your boys, your husband, your MOM, and your family. Praying for wisdom for Dr. Needles and Forget. Praying for peace and ability to rest. Praying for well-scheduled, timely appointments for consultation and/or second opinion. Praying that you will feel the arms of all of the people who love you wrapped around you and hanging on for a good snug squeeze. I'll end this entry with the phrase that I acutally coined in my correspondance w/ Angie Elliott..."sending anti-neoplastic thoughts your way..." Wish those thoughts didn't apply to you, though, my friend...
Love you! Laura
friend,
my heart is aching for you and dave... as these overwhelming decisions are looming over your head know that andy and i are in constant and persistent prayer for you both! may God grant the wisdom you need in order to take the next step during this trial. please, please, please understand that andy and i are both willing to serve you guys in any way you need. i am here for you kate!
love you friend,
kristie
Kate, Dave and boys,
My heart breaks for you. We love you and care about you, and will be praying for you all during this trial. I don't even know what to say, except that I hope you can physically feel yourself being carried through this. I refuse to give up hope that you will beat this cancer! We love you!
Noel, Nicole and boys
My heart groans with yours - Prayers are being offered up that have no words - God will hear and answer them according to his will.
May our God grant you wisdom and strengthen your faith.
Love,
Sara
Noooooo!I am so sad that this cancer is back and you will have to go through more treatment. I will be praying for you dear friend. Pleading, begging, petitioning... I'll be talking to the Great Physician on your behalf.
Hang in there girl.
Love,
Elizabeth Ward
PS. I am grateful that you had that MRS on Friday and they found it quickly instead of in Jan when it could have been more trouble.
Couldn't believe it when I read your post today. We are praying for you and your family. A friend gave me this verse today: John 14:1, do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.
I know exactly how this day feels and yet I am at a loss of words. I always pray for you and your family. If you want to talk please call.
Love,
Heather Everett
Kate:
MY heart is sad for you and your family. But it is also happy to know that our GOD IS WAY BIGGER THAN CANCER. He is taking care of you every step of the way. He has provided you with a fabulous husband and family to love and support you, a loving church, awesome doctors that found the trouble, treatment for the trouble and many many friends that are reaching out to help. God is so good to you.
Praying for peace that passes all understanding. Love,
Tom, April and Marybeth Curtis
Gram is rather speechless tonight!
Yet when I am weak He is strong.
Hi Kate,
I don't know why, but I was feeling uneasy tonight as I sat down at the computer to check your blog. I suppose there is still a possibility that this will turn out to be a false alarm, which may seem like little consolation when faced with the need for an additional surgery, and the constant struggle for peace in the face of uncertainty. But I don't want you to drown in your devastation! (Easy for me to say, right?) You are an incredibly strong woman, Kate -- I was thinking that yesterday, looking at you in church -- and I know that you will get through this new development because your strength comes from Jesus. Praying for the peace that passes understanding. Call me when you are ready to talk.
Love, Erika
Kate,
May you feel the warmth and love of Jesus and those around you like a warm blanket from the dryer. I don't have any other words...my heart is so sad. I am pleading for you at God's throne. Every day that all of us have is a gift.
Love to you and your family,
Michelle
It's hard to assimilate all that this means and thoughts fly in a tumultuous rush - fear, hope, despair, gratitude and others fighting for a foothold - all the while knowing that for you these feelings and more are amplified a thousand fold. I pray for you and that you and your Snodgrass men will be mightily blessed in ways yet to be known. I love you Kate.
Grammy C
Kate,
It's been forever since I last posted a comment. Allowed myself to get caught up in the craziness and drama in my own life. Honestly, anything the kids and I have experienced lately completely pales in comparison to what you and your family are now facing. Beyond telling you I'm praying for you, there really are no words....SO glad the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf....I'm at the throne of Grace whispering your name, my friend.
Love you,
Tiffani G.
I'm overwhelmed at your news. I don't know where to start, other than clinging to the truth of God. Revelation 21:5: "He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' . . . these words are faithful and true."
I believe that God is currently on His throne and He is making everything new - and He will not stop until ALL of creation has been 'remade.' This is true and I am hanging on to that.
Prayin' for you . . .
Jenn Fromke
Kate,
So thankful for our God who is so loving and gracious. I pray you will be supernaturally aware of His presence during these next several weeks--guiding, comforting, assuring, strengthening, holding your hand with every step of the way.
So glad I checked your blog. What a privilege to be praying for you.
LeeAnn
Kate,
I read this within 10 minutes of reading your blog...& I had to share it with you.
All I can say is prayer is powerful and we will continue to do so.
Keep seeking and trusting in God.
Kelly & Pete Morrow
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His word and taking the next step. ~Joni Eareckson Tada
You know we love you and we are here for you...all of you. Our hearts are aching, but we take comfort in the promises of God. We are lifting you up to the Great Physician, who is not bound by statistics or modern medicine. He is much bigger than cancer, dear friend.
God doesn't make mistakes. He will equip you and the boys for this trial. Not only that, but He will bring about countless blessings through this challenge. Trust Him.
Take some extra time with the boys tomorrow. Dinner is on the W's. I'll call you in the morning to work out the details. Sleep away that headache! Xs and Os.
Kate and Dave~We love you and are praying fervently for you. I think of the Living Bible translation of the story where David is being pursued by Nabal, and Abigail comforts David with these words (TLB, not NIV :o) ): "You are safe in the hands of the LORD your God as if you were safe inside His purse."
NIV says, 'you are bound securely in the bundle of the living....'
I think the picture of you being safe inside 'God's purse' is a great one. Rest there, Kate and Dave and the Boys, for you ARE safe!
Praying for your breaking hearts, that these test results may be reversed.
With love, Pam for the Muellers
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