The night we returned from Guatemala, my dad told us that they had found a mass in his lung. Since that night, we have been on this journey of doctor appointments, scans, stress tests etc. etc. Dad is the one getting poked and scanned and checked but we have all been on this emotional rollercoaster. The whole journey has been fast and overwhelming.
The mass is in Dad's upper left lobe near his brochial tube. He had coughed up some blood and was experiencing shortness of breath. These events triggered an x-ray, CAT scan and eventually a biopsy. The biopsy told us almost immediately that it was cancer. It is a non-small cell squamous cell carcinoma (for those of you that need to know!). The pulmonary specialist sent us on for a PET Scan and a meeting with an oncologist. Our prayer was that the tumor would be operable since this type of cancer is not as responsive to chemo or radiation.
Our prayers were answered and we were sent on to a surgeon. We met with him last Friday and the surgery is scheduled for this Thursday at 9 am. Our prayer is that all of the cancer will be contained in the upper left lobe so that they can remove just that part of the lung. If the tumor encroaches into the lower lobe or into the blood vessels or the brochial tube, there is a chance that the whole left lung will need to be removed. And then it gets more complicated.
We are trusting the Lord for a uneventful, smooth surgery on Thursday. We know that He holds all of this in the palm of His hand.
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
If you think of us, we would so appreciate your prayers. My dad's first name is Jim. We will try to update as this journey continues especially on Thursday. Thank you!
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