IGC

"I Got Cancer"

These are words you do not want to hear from anyone...especially, the love of your life, your family members, your friends. Well, I did. My world started spinning that day when Jennifer called me and said "I have cancer." This was not in our plan. However, this is something we have to deal with...and, we will.

When we first found out, we only told a few people...immediate family, impacted co-workers, a few friends. However, after talking with others who have been through similar experiences, we discovered a common theme....let people know. Not for sympathy, but for support and healing. It works. It's powerful. I want to thank everybody for their love, thoughts and prayers as we face this challenge. We are bolstered by that power.

Another powerful healing mechanism is humor. After a day or two of facing the unknown, worrying, fretting, prioritizing, we have now gotten back on track to normalcy through some humor. It first manifested itself when it was time to get the boys to bed. This is something that Jennifer normally does (because she has more patience). However the other night, when it was time, she looked at me with a sad face and said "IGC."

IGC? We're playing that game? Oh...it's on now. (read the sensitivity alert below before you pass judgement)

We are learning sign language because part of the treatment will involve oral surgery, which will impact her ability to communicate in the short term. Grace taught us the sign for "I'm sorry your turtle exploded" last weekend. Dont ask me where she got that from. Over the course of the weekend, it's evolved to "I'm sorry (Ben, Jake, Cat, Gray, Mom, Dappy, my fart) exploded." Signing is fun.

******SENSITIVITY ALERT*********
We're using humor to get by. If anyone is upset at the jokes, please get over it, because this is part of our healing process. Dang wusses.
******END OF ALERT************

*********HIPPA ALERT************
I've received consent to divulge Jennifer's information with fear of having my head knocked off or worse...some things non-surgically removed from my body.
********END OF ALERT************

We are at MD Anderson for our first consult. They are very good people and operate efficiently. The experience is a bit overwhelming and there is a lot to digest, but we're making progress.

Now...what you've been waiting for: the good and not so great news.

Physical observation has that the squamous cell carcinoma is localized to the tongue, about a T1 in size. Assuming the CT scan comes back negative, i.e. good, then the surgeon believes he can get it all through surgery...no radiation or chemo. But, being surgery, it will involve removal of a section of the tongue (no jokes yet....still sensitive). Following the surgery would be rehab to work on speaking and eating.....that's the uncertainty that troubles us.

Also, as a precaution, he'd like to perform a neck dissection in order to biopsy the lymph nodes in the head and neck, about 40 of them. This would prolong initial recovery. We are weighing the options right now. Of course, being a research hospital, we also have the option to partake in some clinical studies that involve radioactive tracers (low-energy reading light?).

All-in-all we're happy we don't have to resort to any drawn out treatments...however we're still praying and contemplatingthe side effects of the surgical procedures.

CT is tomorrow and the next consult will most likely be in a week or two.....more to come.