Greetings! I can't believe it's Friday already. We have been so impressed with the efficiency of Mayo Clinic.
The initial pathology report is leaning towards calling this a spread of thyroid cancer which Derek had in 2007. This never occurs, we are the befuddling case. Dr. Driscoll has never seen it. We are still waiting for the "final" pathology report. In other words, they are still consulting with other pathologists and making sure everyone agrees on what to call this process.
This morning already, we have had blood work drawn and met with the endocrinologist Dr. Gharib. Now, Derek is getting a chest CT scan to check lungs and at 2p he is scheduled for an ultrasound of his neck to check lymph nodes. We are so thankful to be here and be in an environment where things happen fast. The secretary had his Peoria records from '07 faxed up here already.
We will meet one more time with Dr. Driscoll this afternoon to see if the pathology report is "finalized" and to check the clear drainage that is coming from Derek's ear (not lots). We do not know a surgery date yet, but we expect next week.
It is so encouraging to have your prayers. God is meeting our needs. Derek has very little pain today and has not taken vicadin this morning. He has been dizzy a little. He's definitely in "research" mode trying to help the doctors remember all the different tests to run that might help. Once an engineer, always an engineer! :)
We love you all and I'm really missing the kids, so if at all possible we are going home tonight to regroup, repack, and get some hugs and kisses from them. If they deem Derek's drainage a concern, we will stay the weekend, Mom Sauder could take our van home. We have an excellent comfortable place to stay and the host gives us rides.
Leann
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Out of biopsy
We brought Derek back to the Mennonite Guesthouse where we are staying another night. He was through recovery around 8:30-9, but we had the job of finding him a Culver's snack pack after that. They even had his favorite flavor of the day, Caramel Cashew.
The doctor said he would be collaborating with his colleagues tomorrow and will get us some answers on how they plan to proceed. We plan to wait here until we know if there will be further tests or if a surgery will be scheduled, what date it will be.
Derek appears to have better balance today and his facial paralysis seems less severe. We're not sure why, but glory to God!!
After a long day, I want to thank you for lifting us up in prayer.
Leann
The doctor said he would be collaborating with his colleagues tomorrow and will get us some answers on how they plan to proceed. We plan to wait here until we know if there will be further tests or if a surgery will be scheduled, what date it will be.
Derek appears to have better balance today and his facial paralysis seems less severe. We're not sure why, but glory to God!!
After a long day, I want to thank you for lifting us up in prayer.
Leann
In biopsy procedure
Loved ones,
We were scheduled to check-in at 11:30am, but it must have been on an already full schedule. We are thankful they were able to take us today. Derek went back at 4:45 for pre-op and is now in the surgery room for the biopsy. He was very restful today waiting. We'll let you know when he is out.
Leann
We were scheduled to check-in at 11:30am, but it must have been on an already full schedule. We are thankful they were able to take us today. Derek went back at 4:45 for pre-op and is now in the surgery room for the biopsy. He was very restful today waiting. We'll let you know when he is out.
Leann
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Mayo Visit
Leann and I and Mom Sauder left for Mayo's this morning. Shortly after leaving, I noticed my face feeling funny. One of the possible symptoms which hadn't shown up yet was facial paralysis. It was also a possible consequence of surgery. Assuming that the tumor was pressing more on the facial nerve, it was a hard drive up, but we were glad to be on the way. It's hard for me to chew (although I did get most of Mom Stoller's popcorn down) without biting my lip. It's also hard to close my right eye now.
We arrived early and were actually seen by Dr Olsen and Dr Driscoll, both ENT specialists. As we walked to the room, it was the hardest time I have had walking yet. Since then it's been a bit better but it takes a lot of concentration and helps to have Leann holding my hand. The tumor has definitely grown, as it is now visible in the ear canal, which was not on Monday (at least Dr Klemens never mentioned it).
Dr Driscoll agrees that this tumor has originated in the ear, but feels it is very fast growing. He does a lot of surgeries in this area of the ear to remove tumors, but most of them are rare and there are many different types he sees. At this point he has not ruled out infection, lymphoma, benign, or cancerous processes. Because the various possibilities could lead to totally different treatments, and because it is progressing rapidly, he is going to take a biopsy tomorrow by going into the mastoid bone behind my ear. This will be enough tissue that they can do adequate pathology to determine what it is. This biopsy will be an outpatient procedure if it goes as planned.
If we end up with surgery, they would try to schedule it in the next 1-2 weeks.
I'm having a fair amount of pain in my right ear now, so hopefully the vicodin will lessen it enough for me to sleep tonight. I'm really thankful for Leann being with me. Those of you who know her will appreciate that she is good at scheduling, logistics, details, etc. I'm appreciating it immensely now.
Thank you for praying for us.
We arrived early and were actually seen by Dr Olsen and Dr Driscoll, both ENT specialists. As we walked to the room, it was the hardest time I have had walking yet. Since then it's been a bit better but it takes a lot of concentration and helps to have Leann holding my hand. The tumor has definitely grown, as it is now visible in the ear canal, which was not on Monday (at least Dr Klemens never mentioned it).
Dr Driscoll agrees that this tumor has originated in the ear, but feels it is very fast growing. He does a lot of surgeries in this area of the ear to remove tumors, but most of them are rare and there are many different types he sees. At this point he has not ruled out infection, lymphoma, benign, or cancerous processes. Because the various possibilities could lead to totally different treatments, and because it is progressing rapidly, he is going to take a biopsy tomorrow by going into the mastoid bone behind my ear. This will be enough tissue that they can do adequate pathology to determine what it is. This biopsy will be an outpatient procedure if it goes as planned.
If we end up with surgery, they would try to schedule it in the next 1-2 weeks.
I'm having a fair amount of pain in my right ear now, so hopefully the vicodin will lessen it enough for me to sleep tonight. I'm really thankful for Leann being with me. Those of you who know her will appreciate that she is good at scheduling, logistics, details, etc. I'm appreciating it immensely now.
Thank you for praying for us.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
2nd opinion
Leann here. We had no new news from the Peoria ENT Dr. Klemens who we met with yesterday. He will be working with Dr. Klopfenstein as a specialist in the area of the facial nerve.
We are headed to Mayo Clinic tomorrow for a 2nd opinion. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. Derek is starting to have some dizziness when lying down for the night, and we think this could be a symptom related to the tumor.
We're thankful for...
1. A bike ride with the kids last night.
2. Mayo's getting us in quickly.
3. Plenty of babysitting offers.
4. Both Peoria doctors are "available" to do surgery June 24 if we opt for this route.
We love you all and are overwhelmed by God's goodness.
We are headed to Mayo Clinic tomorrow for a 2nd opinion. Thank you for continuing to pray for us. Derek is starting to have some dizziness when lying down for the night, and we think this could be a symptom related to the tumor.
We're thankful for...
1. A bike ride with the kids last night.
2. Mayo's getting us in quickly.
3. Plenty of babysitting offers.
4. Both Peoria doctors are "available" to do surgery June 24 if we opt for this route.
We love you all and are overwhelmed by God's goodness.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Reflections
No real additional health information to post today, so I thought I would take a few minutes to share some of the thoughts, emotions, and scriptures that we have been experiencing.
First, we have been extremely overwhelmed and humbled by the prayers and support we have felt from our church family and friends. We were touched four years ago when I had thyroid cancer but this has touched us to a new level. Thanks and please continue to pray for us, as we know you will.
Those of you who are around me have seen me crying at times I'm sure. It has been hard but God is working in me and I am taking courage from many things. The times I'm crying are not because I"m scared. It's either when we are singing in church and the words of a hymn mean so much to me, or one of you are encouraging me and I'm touched by the love I feel, or I"m thinking about my wife and children and saddened to think of the things they might have to go through.
This morning I decided to start purposely looking for the verses of promise in God's Word. I opened in the chain reference to the "Promises of ..." and my eyes fell on protection, which led to II Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him... As I read the surrounding verses, I learned of the context of this verse which I did not remember. King Asa had trusted God initially and God gave him victory over his enemies. Then he turned to the King of Syria for help, and God was displeased, and thus he began to lose his battles. God sent Hanani the seer to tell him this. This gave me much encouragement, that God is interested in helping us and showing his strength. And taught me that my trust needs to be in Him alone, not in various men or my own strength.
I've had to come to realize that I must trust God for everything. To heal me, to take away my fears, and to provide for my wife and children in the event I don't have a "normal" life. To try and worry about all these things is foolish and just a lack of faith in God.
Thanks again for your prayers and support,
Derek & Leann, Lexi, Wesley, & Whitley
First, we have been extremely overwhelmed and humbled by the prayers and support we have felt from our church family and friends. We were touched four years ago when I had thyroid cancer but this has touched us to a new level. Thanks and please continue to pray for us, as we know you will.
Those of you who are around me have seen me crying at times I'm sure. It has been hard but God is working in me and I am taking courage from many things. The times I'm crying are not because I"m scared. It's either when we are singing in church and the words of a hymn mean so much to me, or one of you are encouraging me and I'm touched by the love I feel, or I"m thinking about my wife and children and saddened to think of the things they might have to go through.
This morning I decided to start purposely looking for the verses of promise in God's Word. I opened in the chain reference to the "Promises of ..." and my eyes fell on protection, which led to II Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him... As I read the surrounding verses, I learned of the context of this verse which I did not remember. King Asa had trusted God initially and God gave him victory over his enemies. Then he turned to the King of Syria for help, and God was displeased, and thus he began to lose his battles. God sent Hanani the seer to tell him this. This gave me much encouragement, that God is interested in helping us and showing his strength. And taught me that my trust needs to be in Him alone, not in various men or my own strength.
I've had to come to realize that I must trust God for everything. To heal me, to take away my fears, and to provide for my wife and children in the event I don't have a "normal" life. To try and worry about all these things is foolish and just a lack of faith in God.
Thanks again for your prayers and support,
Derek & Leann, Lexi, Wesley, & Whitley
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
From Dr. Klopfenstein appt today
We met with Dr Klopfenstein this morning and he explained more of the anatomical details regarding the tumor and how he would approach the surgery. He said the tumor could possibly have been there for some time, perhaps years. He wants us to meet with Dr. Klemons (an Ear, Nose, Throat specialist) to explore the possibility of his involvement during surgery. That appt is not scheduled yet, but hopefully early next week.
We had been leaning towards the more aggressive surgery option, but after he explained more of the details, we wanted more time to consider it. There is a possibility of it affecting eye movement, speech, eating and requiring significant rehab.
He gave us more expectations regarding surgery. The day before surgery would be the embolization (where they block off the blood vessels to the tumor). The surgery is a 6-12 hour procedure, he said basically it's the most involved surgery you can have. Then 3-7 days in the hospital (first part in ICU), followed by at least a month of recovery at home. Depending upon how the surgery goes, there could be significant additional rehab required.
As far as any post-surgery radiation, those plans will be made once we are past the surgery. There is a local tumor board that would review the case and decide the plans for that stage. If it turned out to be cancerous, then an oncologist would become involved.
Surgery will probably be later this month. Thanks for your prayers so far, and please continue to pray that we can have direction and peace regarding treatment decisions. God has been speaking to us and working in our hearts through this time. It has drawn us closer together, and we are realizing more than ever what FAITH really is.
Love,
Derek & Leann, Lexi, Wesley, and Whitley
We had been leaning towards the more aggressive surgery option, but after he explained more of the details, we wanted more time to consider it. There is a possibility of it affecting eye movement, speech, eating and requiring significant rehab.
He gave us more expectations regarding surgery. The day before surgery would be the embolization (where they block off the blood vessels to the tumor). The surgery is a 6-12 hour procedure, he said basically it's the most involved surgery you can have. Then 3-7 days in the hospital (first part in ICU), followed by at least a month of recovery at home. Depending upon how the surgery goes, there could be significant additional rehab required.
As far as any post-surgery radiation, those plans will be made once we are past the surgery. There is a local tumor board that would review the case and decide the plans for that stage. If it turned out to be cancerous, then an oncologist would become involved.
Surgery will probably be later this month. Thanks for your prayers so far, and please continue to pray that we can have direction and peace regarding treatment decisions. God has been speaking to us and working in our hearts through this time. It has drawn us closer together, and we are realizing more than ever what FAITH really is.
Love,
Derek & Leann, Lexi, Wesley, and Whitley
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