Thanksgiving. I hope it was good for you, filled with lots of family and not too much food. Or, for some of you, vice versa. We've had an excellent Thanksgiving, filled with parties, feasts, and seeing dear friends, family, and old friends who live too far away.
But I'm not writing about my Thanksgiving. You probably just had one, and you're about as done with leftover stories as the rest of us. So, this post is for the handful of people I haven't already updated.
On Monday, we had our surgical consult with Dr. Pitt as Scottish Rite. He was one of our favorites, actually. He was kind, thorough, and listened well. But the meeting was confusing. If you read my last update, we were gearing up for surgery, or to be convinced that surgery was worth it. However, Dr. Pitt was very clear–adamant, even– that surgery was not something he wanted to do.
So, we were confused, and were able to speak with him for a while about the risks and benefits. As a refresher, Immy's tumor is paraspinal– it's across and around her spine, and off to the sides as well. There's a large chunk by her right kidney. We have been told there was risk of the tumor blocking her ureter and causing urinary tract infections and other problems down the road. In Dr. Pitt's opinion, Imogen's kidney looks healthy, so that likely means the ureter is not obstructed by the tumor.
However, Imogen is at obvious risk for urological issues, given the location of the tumor. If there is a problem, he believes it is happening at the neurological level, and Imm will be scheduled for regular ultrasounds from here on out.
So what does all this mean? Well, nothing has really changed, as far as our schedule is concerned. Tam and I decided that we want as many of the best looking at this, so we agreed beforehand that we would go to Cincinnati, regardless of the surgeon's recommendation. If they had wanted to do surgery, then we'd want to know that was the right thing to do. If they didn't want to do surgery, then we'd want to know that was the right thing to do.
So we wait to see what Dr. Weiss and his team in Cincy think. They're reviewing Tiny's entire case, and we'll be doing a PET scan and an exam when we get there. We couldn't go right up there this week because of the holiday, so we took the news and waited. All we could do, really, with Thanksgiving all over the place and everyone else feeling super thankful about friends and the air and lamp.
Really, though, I am grateful for so much. Not because, well, this "could be worse." I'm thankful because circumstances, bad or good, don't determine anything. Trust me, our families have plenty of crappy circumstances to deal with. We are far from certain about what to do. Each new turn brings as many questions as answers. I'm sad, confused, and a bit angry. But I'm learning to be grateful in spite of what's around me. Seasons change, frost comes, winter ends. I have a family I love desperately, and God is faithful. That's a pretty good place to start.
A couple things coming up:
1. We are trying to think of the best way to get to Cincy. Airports are disgusting this time of year, so it looks like we may be driving. Pray for that fun stuff. And we will hopefully get at least a day's notice before we're supposed to go.
2. We want what's best for Imogen. Although it will be incredibly confusing if the docs in Cincinnati disagree, we want to do the right thing for her. Surgery, to me, seems really risky. If it's necessary, we will have a horribly difficult decision to make as parents.
3. Awesome news, though! The hospital and the oncologist is in-network. Booyah.
4. Aaron/Bubby has been a little sick. Poor guy threw up in the car today. Maybe that was Waffle House. Maybe mucus. I don't know.
And finally, Imogen in a sweater dress and boots:
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