The Waiting Game

So, our waiting game has begun! I believe the most frustrating part of this whole ordeal has been the waiting. When we initially found out about the cancer, we were rushed from one office to the other. We were asked to make appointments and bring papers, etc. Then, in waiting for the "official" diagnosis to come through--the waiting began! Because Brennan has such a rare cancer for anyone even close to his age, our Doctors felt it was necessary to get 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and maybe even 5th opinions. I am grateful that they took this measure to insure that they were correct, but it has delayed our progress to an extent.

We need to make sure that Brennan's cancer has not spread. Apparently, we were under the impression that the type of cancer he had was localized to a certain area and unable to spread...not true. What they had said was that they believed it had NOT spread any further. (Definitely what we are hoping) So, with the CT Scan that Brennan had, it showed his lymph node glands were swollen...a possible sign of spreading. So, as a precaution, Brennan needs to get a PET Scan and another CT Scan. We have been having to wait to get these tests done unfortunately, due to the fact that the official diagnosis had not been declared.

Soooo...yesterday, I took it upon myself to go check on these items. I am not the most patient of souls on the earth. :) I went to our ENT Doctor's office and luckily, the official diagnosis had come in that day. I was given a copy and another copy was sent to our Oncologist. (Cancer doctor-I must say I am getting pretty good at learning all of these new labels/names!) I drove to the Cancer Center where I learned the "new" hold-up was the approval for the actual tests from our insurance. Since these tests are so expensive, especially the PET Scan, insurance companies will only authorize them once all of the official diagnosis' are in. So, today I called around and found out that by me going in yesterday, our nurse was able to expedite the request! Yeah! Anyway, Brennan is scheduled for a CT Scan this week, his PET Scan next week, and we will learn of the results on December 1st! So, although we are still waiting, I am happy to report that we have a destination and some dates! I think that is better than completely being in the dark!

We appreciate all of your prayers, and a special 'thank-you' for special fasts by family members that have been done! We love you all very much and we are in good spirits! We are extremely blessed and are very grateful for all that has been done in our behalf!