Good News, Bad News

We have Good News and Bad News

For those of you who do not like my stories or my humor, the summary of our situation is located at the bottom.

For those who can tolerate my rambling,  I appreciate your putting up with me.  Blogging is new to me and will probably stop when this ordeal is over.  However it is fun to jot down silly stuff sometimes.  Please enjoy:

Jennifer went in for the CT Scan and dental consult yesterday.

• Good News:  She got to and from the hospital with no issues.
• Bad News:  She didn't bring her caregiver and was chastised by the staff at MD Anderson.  (Side note:  her caregiver asked her several times the day before if he should go with her and was rejected -- so don't harp on me).  Lay off her too -- this is new to us and yesterday was an easy day so I really didn't NEED to be there.

The CT went off without a hitch.  The Dental Consult also went well.

• Good News:  She was cleared for surgery after meeting with the MDA dentist.
• Bad News:  She didn't have 5 cavities.  Wait....she DIDN'T have the 5 cavities as she was previously told by another dentist?   Hmmm.  We'll have to check that out later....not important right now.

Now, the results -- She received a call from the Surgeon's Assistant.

• Good News:  The CT Scan came back negative -- Translation: GREAT NEWS
• Bad News:  She still have to undergo surgery...otherwise it's great news that we don't have to do Chemo or radiation.

Surgery will involve several components.

1. Excise of the tumor from the tongue. 
• Good News:  This should remove the cancer completely
• Bad News:  It's Surgery on the tongue.  OUCH!  It's estimated that only a small portion has to be removed, but there will be rehab involved to adapt to the physical changes -- speaking, swallowing, etc.
• Good News:  The Kids and I won't get a tongue lashing for a little while after this (GREAT NEWS -- Awesome, Woohoo)
• Bad News:  Knowing Jennifer, it will build up and we'll suffer the consequences later.
2. A skin graft will be placed by plastic surgeons to reconstruct the tongue -- Skin will be taken from the forearm and grafted to the surgical area.  Synthetic skin will also be used as a form of protection and to prevent the tongue from healing together (i.e. sticking to the floor of the mouth).
• Good News:  It's amazing what they can do with medicine nowadays.  Since it is plastic surgery, I've made an additional comment below.
• Bad News:  Hairy Tongue?  Eeeww.  (should she wax it?) -- and I hope it doesn't sweat..She'll have a salty taste all the time.  (yes-- I pushed the envelope, see my disclaimer from the 9th)
3. The Neck Dissection -- Even though the CT scan came back negative, there is still the chance that the lymphatic system could pick up the cancer, so the surgeons will remove about 40 lymph nodes and test for presence of cancer
• Good News:  Once out, we'll have the knowledge one-way or the other as to whether we are CANCER FREE.
• Bad News:  It's a major incision that will cross over several paths of nerves that could affect facial features, feelings, and even shoulder strength/mobility.  It may also leave a scar.

We also have the opportunity to participate in a research study -- MD Anderson is a research hospital, one of the best in the country.

• Good News:  She gets to shoot up with Radioactive stuff -- Instant night light for a little while.
• Bad News:  No compensation  -- we'll have to see if they'll take care of the regular surgery in lieu of the lack of compensation.  It's worth a try.

Surgery is expected to be scheduled sometime at the end of May, with a 5-day hospital stay and an extended recovery period:

• Good News:  Once it's done, it's done
• Bad News:  May 31st is our 15th Anniversary -- Most likely in the hospital.
• Good News?  Can I claim the "Plastic Surgery" as a gift?  Isn't plastic the gift of choice at 15 years?  It is an expensive one....
• Bad News:  Probably not.

Recovery and Rehab will follow thereafter

• Good News:  She can do it
• Bad News:  It may take awhile.  Our annual vacation to Concan is in Mid-June and may not be attended by Jennifer.  She is making me take the kids (by myself -- REAL BAD)...May need to hire a nannie to go with me to take care of the hoodlums.  Whaaat?  Whaaaaat?  Don't look at me like that...I'm just kidding. 

SUMMARY OF OUR SITUATION:  For those who do not have the time, nor the patience to read through my musings -- You know who you are.

Jennifer's CT scan came back clear.  She will undergo surgery to remove the tumor and about 40 lymph nodes sometime at the end of May.  This will be a 4-6 hour surgery as it covers a very delicate area cosmetically and systemically.  However, once completed, she should be cancer free -- no radiation, no chemo.  Rehab will begin and she'll pull through it.

Thanks to everybody for their thoughts and prayers.  They really do help.

Jennifer, your haircut is Awesome.   HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. 

You'll pull through this with flying colors.

 I Love You.