As I type, the rest of the family is in bed, undoubtedly with candy canes and all sorts of things dancing around in their heads. We just finished packing for Cincinnati, and we're leaving for the airport in the morning. The hospital got all of the paperwork situated, and we're off. For those who want to know the details–please don't come rob my house; we'll have a sitter– we fly tomorrow, have several appointments all through Thursday, and we fly home Friday afternoon.
Obviously, the "have several appointments" is kind of a big deal. We will meet with the oncologist, do the PET scan, and meet with the surgeon. Hopefully we'll learn a lot. I actually don't know what I'm hoping for, really. I guess I just hope they get it right. I don't want surgery, I don't want chemo, I don't want to just let it sit on my baby girl's spine. Obviously, some of those are conflicting.
We spoke with our oncologist in Atlanta, trying to sort out the whole issue with the radiologists who have looked at Imogen's MRIs and come to different conclusions. She confirmed that one of the radiologists did, in fact, believe that the MRI shows mild hydronephrosis in her kidney. (If you remember, our surgeon spoke to another radiologist who said it was fine; that Immy has an extrarenal pelvis)
I know we all know what extrarenal pelvis and hydronephrosis means, but I'll explain just in case. Hydronephrosis occurs when there is blockage and the kidney gets backed up and bloated. An extrarenal pelvis "is an anomaly in people where the renal pelvis becomes enlarged and protrudes from the kidney. It basically means that the pelvis is sticking out. This condition is considered a normal anatomic variant, which means it does not affect the function of the renal pelvis."
The problem is that a blockage could look like extrarenal pelvis. So we'll get additional opinions on that.
Also, we heard back from the surgeon in Philadelphia. Ironically, the hospital is nicknamed "CHOP." He said that he thinks he could safely remove more of the tumor. In his opinion, there is risk, but he believes he can do it. But he also stated that he would only go in if there were data to suggest that removal of more of the tumor would be beneficial aka worth it.
We know progress is being made, we do. Each conversation we have is helping us understand. At least, I hope so. Pray for us, particularly as we process this information. It's really difficult not to feel that we're back at square one after every conversation.
Overall, though, we're in good spirits. We're happy to be going, very happy that we decided not to drive (fingers crossed for no sickie because of all the yuckos at the airport!), and ready to keep moving on this. Imogen is pumped about the flight, to say the least.
-AJ
p.s. I'm not very good at receiving generosity and the sacrifice of others on my behalf. Unfortunately, that means I sometimes don't honor and bless others who have acted upon their leading or gumption to help. So, huge thanks to you and your family, Jared! They paid for our hotel stay while we're in Cincy. You guys are so stinkin' awesome. It's a big help.
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