Mom Update: The Check-up Rollercoaster

It's been a while since I've posted an update about mom's cancer recovery.  She has check-ups with her oncologist every three months, so a few weeks ago it was check-up time again.  At the appointment, the doctor said the blood work looked good, and the exam was fine.  He didn't anticipate any problems, but wanted to do a routine chest x-ray.

  A few days later, mom got the results and found out there was a nodule on one of her lungs, and that the doctor wanted to send her in for a CT scan of her lungs.  So, she waited and worried until the CT scan, and then we all waited and worried about getting the results.  The doctor finally called and said the nodule on the lung  doesn't look dangerous, so we were all relieved.  The scan did show a tumor on her adrenal gland and one on her thyroid, though.  So, he sent her back in for another CT of her adrenal gland and an ultrasound of her thyroid.  

So, then it was time to wait for results again....that's the worst!  When she got the results of the second CT scan, the doctor said the adrenal gland is nothing to worry about (yay!!!)  and that there were a few small nodules on her lungs that he thinks are OK, but they are so small its hard to tell.  So, he wants to watch her carefully and repeat the lung CT scan in three months.  We have decided not to worry about that for three months, and to think positively.  The doctor seemed to think it was maybe scar tissue or areas of calcification, so that's what we are planning on!  As for the thyroid, the ultra sound showed that she has a solid nodule on the right lobe of her thyroid, and so now she is scheduled for a thyroid biopsy on Thursday morning.  We keep reminding ourselves that the doctors have told us that nine out of ten thyroid nodules are noncancerous.  Unfortunately, I was in the one out of ten category, so I think we have had our share of thyroid cancer in this family, and we don't want any more.  So, we are planning on a good report when the biopsy is done and we get those results back.  Then, hopefully mom can have a break for another three months, till she goes for her next check-up and finds out that she is doing great! 

 This has been a stressful few weeks though, and she is ready to be done with all of the tests and waiting for results.  Even though a thyroid biopsy is NOT a fun experience, the waiting is the worst part, so we hope we get the news about her thyroid quickly.  She's strong, and has been doing great and feels good, so we are thankful for that!  So, keep her in your  prayers, and we'll let you know how everything goes.  We are confident that all will be well!