Still no definitive answer

Hey everyone--
My bloodwork reveals that two of the three indicative tumor markers are still abnormally high, but the good news is that in the four weeks since my surgery, those levels have dropped considerably. So, they want me to wait a week to do more lab tests, the rationale is to get the most accurate reading. Even levels that are "slightly high" would be bad news, because that means the cancer is still there and will eventually cause more trouble.

So, for now, we wait another week...patience is a virtue, right?

I am confident that in His wisdom God does not give us any trial that we cannot endure when we draw our strength from Him!

The Waiting Game

Anybody for a long, protracted round of the Waiting Game? Anyone? I thought not! Few of us enjoy testing our patience when it means waiting for important news in our life. It comes in the form of fun, exciting news, such as the likely gender of a babe in utero; it comes in the form of difficult, stressful news, such as what I am facing with cancer.

For now, I will choose to wait for news with hopeful optimism, as modeled in Romans 8"for I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Another surgery!?

Dear family and friends:
After my follow-up appointment late last week, it appears that I will need another surgery to wipe the cancer out completely. However, if the tumor markers in my bloodstream remain high, they will want me to begin chemotherapy instead of surgery.

I am grateful to our Lord for His hand of guidance in all of this, and if being cancer-free requires another surgery, then so be it. If I have to endure chemo, then fine. Thankfully, embryonal carcinoma, when it develops in the testicles, is rarely fatal and is usually cured in the long run (although it does recur in many patients). It has a history of spreading very quickly in men, heading north via the lymphatic system toward the liver, lungs, and brain. There is no way of knowing whether or not my lymph nodes are carrying the cancer unless they are removed and dissected.

The surgery is called an RPLND, or retriperitoneal lymphnode dissection. It is major surgery, taking 3-4 hours on the table, and 4-8 days of recovery in the hospital. It involves cutting the patient open from sternum to groin, and carefully removing the clusters of lymph nodes that are located in front of the spine, behind the kidneys, along the vena cava and aorta, etc.

This surgery, if it happens, will most likely not be for a few weeks. We have to wait for my bloodwork until at least two more weeks, which is the timeframe for the tumor markers to typically normalize. Again, if they are not normal, I will skip surgery and head straight to chemotherapy. If they are normal, then surgery.

Recent Pics

"Say what, doc?"

Last week I learned that I have testicular cancer. After several weeks of knowing that I had some sort of a mass that wasn't normal, I went to see my doctor. He made no doubt about his concern, and asked me to get an ultrasound right away. Within 72 hours, I was in the OR waiting for surgery, dreading what every man dreads when he learns what the SOPs are for this type of cancer...

But, six days later, here I sit...waiting for the pathology reports to determine what type of cancerous cells were found in the tumor. I only know that most men with TC face either a second round of surgery to remove affected lymph nodes, or a couple of rounds of chemotherapy, sometimes both. Perhaps I'll escape with just the damage done so far after the first surgery...

To any guys out there, if you're reading this, go to www.checkemlads.org, and start checkin' 'em monthly!

On a lighter note, my family and friends have been amazing lately through this. The love and support of my wife, immediate family ,close friends, etc., has been overwhelming. I can't really use any words for how profound it is to know that God's blessings are evident in tangible acts of human kindness and compassion.

On a still lighter note, check out how quickly our two boys are growing! They are a ton of fun and I thank God daily for the privilege of raising them!