It is a JOURNEY!

Joyce and I went to see Dr. Yom this morning. As most of you know I had a PET-CT Scan on Monday. Our greatest hope was that the results we'd receive would be a "Clear" scan. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

A little background will help to define where I am now. When I had the MRI done at the 8 weeks mark, it showed that the primary tumor (Tongue Tumor) was progressing very well and that it led us to believe that the Tongue Tumor was "gone". What did show up on the MRI was an irregularity with the three Lymph Node Tumors. So, the PET-CT Scan was scheduled to check on the Lymph Node Tumors. One other thing we learned today, MRIs are more effective in looking at the Tongue Tumor, while the PET-CT scan is more effective with the Lymph Node Tumors.

So, specifically the PET-CT Scan showed that the Lymph Node Tumors are fine (healing as expected), but that the Tongue Tumor did not look good (not progressing as expected). We are disappointed with the lack of a clear report, but understand that my health is truly a journey. What this means is that I will not get a 3 month reprieve from my doctors, but will have another MRI at the 16 week mark (Mid-December) and that I will get to see another member of my medical team that I haven't seen since the diagnostic stage - ENT Surgeon, Dr. Mark Courey. Upon reflection this is a good thing as it will mean another set of eyes will be looking at me. I trust Dr. Yom completely, but as she said this morning, it is a good thing to have all my medical team following my progress.

I have learned that medicine is so much more of an art than a science and that you can often get conflicting information. We are very hopeful that the MRI is correct for the Tongue Tumor and that the PET-CT is correct for the Lymph Node Tumors. It is the likely result and what we are counting on.

Be well!

family...

I was just reading Diane and Jim's blog (it's linked on Glen's blog) and I was so happy to see that they'd had a successful trip to Yosemite...and I was a bit envious I must admit! It got me to thinking...I should tell you all about our trip to LA to see my family!

None of us have been down for way too long, so with the long weekend and all, it seemed like the right time. We picked up Blair from school on Friday (okay...a bit early), jumped in the car with Fred and were in LA by 7:00 pm. It was wonderful to share dinner with my whole family (well, most of the LA ones anyway). My sister Chris, made an old-time family favorite for dinner, Karen and Page opened their doors (again) to us all and we really just kicked back, relaxed and caught up. Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous fall LA day - just a hint of a Santa Ana wind, clear skies and such a fresh smell in the air. (They really have cleaned up the air there!) We hung out in Karen and Page's back yard most of the day. Fred became quite proficient at "fetch" with my dad and me. (That's something, because my dad really doesn't like dogs...but they love him!) After another evening of football on tv (that Cal/SC game) and a leisurely meal we headed to bed early in preparation for a run home on Sunday. And that was it! Quick. but worthwhile. And it's a good thing we went last weekend, because I hear that LA is not fairing too well this weekend!

So...Monday is Glen's next big day. We're not sure when he will get the results of his PET-CT scan. But you'll be the first to know when he does!

Enjoy the incredible weekend (at least it's amazing here!) We're getting ready to clean out the garage....ahhhhh....life returns to "normal"...slowly, but surely!

j

sooner rather than later...

Hello Friends of Glen!

Glen is scheduled for his PET-CT scan on the 17th of November. Not sure what the schedule will be for the reading of the information and the receiving of the report...but keep him in your thoughts for another "all clear" report on the 17th!

And yes, he is slowly recovering every day. We actually went to LA for a quick trip last weekend. It was great to see my family. We usually make a quick run during the summer, but for obvious reasons that didn't happen this year. Glen did quite well traveling so we know that he will totally enjoy our Thanksgiving with the Johnstons in Oregon at the beach. Can't wait to see Niels!

Stay tuned after the 17th for another report!
j

quick note

Just wanted to let everyone know that Glen did go see Dr. Yom on Thursday to try to figure out a way to lessen the throat pain. Of course she took the opportunity to examine his neck/throat. One thing she is very clear about is that she trusts the "feel" of her exams more than some of those fancy tools the hospitals use. She told Glen that in one week since his last exam, his lymph nodes feel completely normal. She also scoped him. (That's the really fun "camera down his nose" tool---eeewww!!!) It too looked mostly normal, or what he says is his "new" normal. That's what we wanted to hear!!!!! She had told us last week that the nodes might be swollen because they are doing their job...apparently, she was right...again!

So...now we wait for the PET scan-probably later this month....
j

PS We're watching the Cal v Ducks game right now...not quite sure who to root for (actually Glen is rooting for Cal - it's me who's conflicted)...such a dilemna...