We’re home! It’s been a long week. Our journey began with a slight hitch in our giddy-up. It was too windy to fly on Tuesday so we drove to Mayo. It’s a good thing too because when we went past O’Hare, we could tell planes were struggling with their wings dipping left and right. We even saw a jet abort their landing. Never saw that before. I wouldn’t have wanted to be in a single engine plane in those winds. Thank you Randy! The drive went well and I had no idea that Wisconsin and Minnesota were so pretty. The Mississippi River is beautiful.
We never expected to be at Mayo for as many days as we were. We almost had to stay one more day (today) and come home tomorrow. Then God worked another miracle. I saw God in small ways and big ways this week.
Dr. Goetz was the doctor we were scheduled to see. He’s an oncologist. After waiting two hours to see him, he gave us 5 minutes of his time (two of which were taking a phone call) and told us we need to see a neuro oncologist and have an MRI. He acknowledged the MRI would be early, but necessary to make a decision. Needless to say we were frustrated, disheartened and discouraged.
God moment: They got us in with the neuro oncologist the following day! Typically it takes months to get in with them, but we got in the following day!
One more night at Mayo. Unfortunately we checked out of our hotel expecting to go home after seeing Dr. Goetz on Wednesday. So while I was having an MRI, Dusty found another hotel which had one room for one night (God moment). Busy town.
Thursday our appointment was scheduled with Dr. O’Neill (neuro oncologist) at 2:00 p.m. We were in his patient room until 5:30 p.m.! First we saw Dr. Chang who ran me through what I lovingly call neuro Olympics. Follow her finger with my eyes, touch my finger to my nose, resist her push/pull, etc. I passed in flying colors.
After a stretch of time, we saw Dr. O’Neill who was very personable and informative. He and Dr. Chang compared my end-of-July MRI to the MRI I had on Wednesday. There was a significant difference in the tumors. The huge one in my cerebellum (affects balance, etc) is the one that’s of concern. They determined that it is bleeding slightly (not hemorrhaging). He wanted us to stay another night and meet with the neurosurgeon today. When they left the room I could’ve cried. I was planning on being home Thursday. I missed my kids like crazy. God moment: Instead of coming back to the room with an appointment for today, they came back to the room with Dr. Ian Parney, Neuro Surgeon.
Dr. Parney explained that I had an excellent response to radiation even on an MRI done early. He said it was amazing. I call it a miracle. (God moment)
Dr. Parney gave me three options:
1. Wait four more weeks, have another MRI to see if the tumor has shrunk more. He didn’t think it would since there is blood present. Risks are slight hemorrhage (balance and headaches) to a large hemorrhage (life threatening).
2. Open me up and operate on the tumor. Many risks involved.
3. Gamma Knife Surgery. This is his recommendation. It involves screwing a metal cage to my skull in four places. Two on my forehead and two on the back of my head. You would think they’d knock me out for this. Oh no. They give me local anesthetic where they put the screws and some “I don’t care” medicine. They better double the dose because I really care. Then I have an MRI with the cage on my head so they know precisely where the tumor is in relation to the cage. Then I go to surgery, which isn’t really a surgery at all. It’s a very high dose of radiation (laser) given in a very precise, specific location of the brain (my tumor) and will knock it out.
We then asked the question everyone skirts around. Life expectancy. He would precede all of his opinions with “I don’t have a crystal ball”. He goes on averages. On average, someone with brain mets (me) lives about a year. However, I have a few things going for me. I’m young. I don’t have cancer elsewhere in my body. I’ve had a very good response to radiation which tells him I’ll have a good response to the Gamma Knife Surgery. I had a good response to breast cancer treatment. He has seen women who had breast cancer mets to the brain live for years. He also forgot to mention that I’m a child of God and He will heal me.
We felt like we had the complete Mayo experience yesterday. Wednesday was just a bad day.
We were nervous about going to Duke because we didn’t want a repeat of Wednesday (a doctor trying to brush us off). We wanted to be sure we were seeing the right type of doctor. After calling Duke and talking with them, they assured me I was seeing the right doctor so we decided we’re still going to Duke.
We are SO THANKFUL we at least have an option at Mayo. I feel better if I get a second opinion before going through the surgery.
Thank you for your prayers. The week went well and it was great to see God show up in so many ways.
Brooklyn is doing well at school (loving it) and Max and Samantha had fun with grandpa’s, grandma, their aunt Becky and Kathy Timmer. Thank you everyone for watching the kids and continuing to do so. We couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you so much for the update….it helps us to know how to pray. You have so many storming the gates of heaven for you…..I bet God made someone cancel their hotel room just so you could have it! Awesome!
Praying for wisdom…..right directions….peace…..and complete healing. Enjoy being back home! Love you guys!
Lindy and Dusty!
You guys are awesome! God is so awesome and this is awesome news! I will continue to keep praying for you both and your family!
Love ya!
oh my word!!! shivering, crying, and praising God right now! im singing this song that i was reminded of when i read this post “im a child of the king, who made everything, im the son of the one, who made my heart to sing, songs of joy, songs of praise, ill sing them all my days…”
God is so big and powerful!
thank you thank you for your update!!
Who could you be texting on your phone? 🙂
I saw the Good News Blog at my office, but I couldn’t reply on the work computer – I went crazy. Everyone at Aero Med knows about our God and what He did for His child. Shout for Joy to the World. I can’t imagine how you are taking this absolute wonderful news – you probaly are just so so thankful. I would do cartwheels in my front yard if I could I am so happy but I don’t want to break any bones. But wanted you both to know we are THRILLED THRILLED and so THANKFUL for God’s miracles. My mother – Grandma Potter – 94 years old – has been praying for you and she cried when she heard the news. You don’t know it but I think she adopted you as one of her grandchildren – I have to keep her updated on a regular basis. We LOVE you both and will continue praying. I can’t wait to share with our church family. Hugs
God is so good. I’m glad that he made himself known to you at the Mayo Clinic with your little “God Moments”!!!
(((HUGS)))
Dear Lindy, I am constantly checking your blog for good news. This is all great news. I am so happy to see God working in your life; why wouldn’t He, you are His precious daughter. I did a little research and learned Mayo is the best place to have the Gamma Knife Surgery in the Country. I’m praying that God would clearly lead you to the best place for treatment. I am very hopeful in the Lord.
Thank you for sharing the God-moments. We’re trusting Him for many more!
Oh I am so excited for you Lindy and Dusty God is so good!! by his stripes you are healed!!
On the way to work this a.m.( I clean homes) I asked The Lord for Hope for you and as I turned onto the street where I needed to go, right before my eyes was The Hope Network Van! I thanked Him for hearing my request!Thankfulness is such a key, I know we have been there and are there now as well. God is Faithful!
Thank you for posting! Praise The Lord for your good report! I will continue to pray for you until completion!
Keep fighting Lindy….God is on your side!!!! Prayers going your way!!!
Yeah! Positive news, Lindy. Praising God along with you for answered prayers. Stay as strong as you have been and you will win this battle, I just know it!
Love this news!! Praising God with you and Dusty and the whole family for some good news.
Continuing to pray as you make decisions in the next few weeks.
Our God is so big!
Praise God! He is everywhere all the time and it is so amazing when we can see Him in the largest and tiniest places! We are continuing to pray for you and for your family! God is good and He is showing you many precious things! Thank you for the update!
Dusty and Lindy, I am praying for you. I pray God fills you with His strength, His wisdom and confidence in knowing His direction for your care. I pray you have moments for peace filled smiles:) I thank Him for showing Himself real!
Thanks for the informative update written in your usual awesome style! SO THANKFUL for the news you received and also for your discernment in getting a second opinion. Will continue to pray for you, Dusty, your children & parents.
Lindy and Dustin — my thoughts, prayers and best of wishes are with you as you go through this very scary journey. Hugs! Jane
Lindy and Dusty,
You don’t know me, but I sure feel I’ve gotten to know you. I am Amy Sluiter’s sister and I found my way to your blog through her blog. I absolutely love the way you write and I’m amazed by your honesty. Please know that many people you have never met are praying for you. And will continue to do so.
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