Getting ready for another surgery

Wow it’s been a while since I’ve updated.  Life is busy and by the time I get a chance to sit down I’m usually so exhausted I fall asleep or I just want to stare at the wall in silence. Hahaha  The last month has been once again a whirlwind.  But God is good!  And wasn’t my sweet husbands post a month ago great! I was too tired that night to update so he did it for me.  He’s awesome!  Anyhow as you all know Justin had his first pet scan since he finished his Interferon.  He had been feeling great and we both strongly felt that the chapter of life titled “Cancer” was all behind us.  We were pretty confident that the results would come back negative and we’d go about our busy lives.  But apparently that wasn’t Gods plan. 

The PET scan showed the cancer had spread to at least one of his lymph nodes.   He had a MRI done which also showed the cancer in the lymph node but that it had NOT gone to his brain which was refreshing news!  And then lastly he had a procedure done where they stick a big needle into his neck to test the lymph node and to our surprise it came back Negative!  Which left the doctor scratching his head and us completely confused.  Basically what they told us is that the Pet Scan and MRI are most accurate.  They said the procedure done with the big needle isn’t very accurate because sometimes it’s not getting to the exact location.  But for Justin and I, it’s a tiny bit of hope that we are hanging on to.

So what’s next since two test came back positive and one came back negative???  Surgery.  February 24^th he is scheduled for a five hour surgery starting at 7am at Moffitt.  While he’s under anesthesia they will take a portion of the lymph nodes and test it in-house while he’s still asleep.   If the test results come back positive than they will proceed with the big surgery of taking out all his lymph nodes in his neck in that area as well as possibly taking out part or all of his saliva gland.  He will have a drain put in and will be in the hospital for 2 nights.   There will be possible nerve damage.    However If the test come back negative they will sew him back up and send him home.  But the doctor said don’t be surprised if we send you home telling you its negative and you don’t have to have surgery but then call you a couple days later and say “whoops, its actually positive and you have to come back in for the surgery”.  The doctor said this type of cancer is very very hard to test in-house in a short amount of time so the results they get immediately are preliminary results.  And you don’t get a true reading for a few days. 

Soooo our first prayer request would be that whatever the result is that it’s taken care of on Friday, February 24^th.  Justin’s been through so much and I’d hate for him to go into surgery, be cut open, sent home and then have to go back a few days later to be cut back open and have major surgery. 

Secondly we are continuing to pray that the MRI and PET scan results were inaccurate and that it’s NOT cancer in his lymph nodes but a fluke reading.

Thirdly for a speedy recovery whatever the end result is.

In the meantime we are trying to make the best decisions for our family and that has enlightened us to our not so healthy eating habits.  I was raised a vegetarian, eating organic fruits and veggies and tofu. Lol  But never really realized the importance of it.  I’ve slacked over the years in my eating habits and I’m ashamed to say I’ve been guilty of feeding my family more of a convenient food menu than what might be best for them.  Justin and I have learned so much about what is in food and how foods affect everything from health, allergies, moods, diseases, etc.  We’ve even learned that God intended us to eat fruits and veggies.  Plant based foods.  It wasn’t till the fall of Adam and Eve that things changed and even more so in the New Testament when meat was introduced.  And over the years it’s gotten worse and worse with our processed foods and what’s allowed to be in it.  It’s amazing that any of us are even alive!  But with all that being said we also believe it’s a balance.  No we aren’t going to say we will never eat meat again or sugar or anything unhealthy.    But we will try to be more cautious about how often we put those type of foods into our bodies and trying to fill them more often with the healthy choices.

All of this is a result of lots of research.  In the last month we’ve been to more doctors’ appointments than we want to, read many articles, books, talked with numerous different people all trying to make the best decision for Justin’s life.  We’ve seen both extremes of both sides from the holistic natural world who is begging for Justin not to have the surgery and then to the complete other world that says you don’t have any other option but to have the surgery.  Justin is considered a stage 3 cancer patient at this point.  His statistics making it 2 to even 5 years aren’t comforting to say the least.  So we want to do Everything possible to prolong his life.  We aren’t choosing one side over the other but pulling a little from both sides and trying to make the most logical decision for Justin and his life.  Which has brought us to the decision of having the surgery at Moffitt as well as making better health food choices.   

Let me tell you it’s not easy!  It’s quite overwhelming.  But our decision doesn’t have to be what you think is best.  But please know that our decision has been made with lots of research and prayer.  And it’s what we feel is best for Justin and our family.  We aren’t here to convince you of anything but only ask that you not make any judgment on what we have chosen to do.   It’s not easy but its where God has lead us for right now.

I have a lot to get done before Friday so I best get going.  But I will update you again after the surgery.  I thank you again for your continued love, support and prayers.  God has blessed us more than we could have imagined and we give him the glory through it all.  With Faith all things are possible!   And I have faith that God is in the process of healing my husband 100%

P.S. My mom, sisters, and I have started a fun blog called Healthy Living in High Heels where we are going to try to post some of the vegan and healthy recipes we make.   Its brand new but it has a few post on it and we will continue to post on it if you’d like to check it out.  www.healthylivinginhighheels.blogspot.com

Love to you all!

Autumn