On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, my husband was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although it is treatable (hopefully it hasn't spread), he could still lose his voice. Let me go back to the beginning...
He has sore throats when no one else had, he has felt like he has a perm. lump in his throat and a cough for about a year now. He went to the family doctor at the end of Oct. and she sent him to an ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat Dr.) Dr. Matthew Lutz did his exam and then scheduled a biopsy for Nov. 5. Needless to say we were all on pins and needles during this time. Dr. Lutz (surgeon) finally came out and spoke with me, the way he was talking I knew it was cancer and sometimes you just know it. He is really a nice guy and Dave is lucky to have him for a surgeon.
There were little things that took our minds off of the situation: My 10 yr. old son severely sprained his ankle the day before Daves biopsy, we spent the day at Children's Hosp. for an x-ray. Thursday morning after the biopsy, our new TV went out, then Sunday my dishwasher decided to leak water all over the floor, they got the TV fixed on Monday but on Tuesday it went out again and this time they had to order a whole new panel. Yay no football for a week! No Browns to watch or Ohio State that week on the big screen, and yeah that did kinda stink as both teams won. Then on Thursday we got the results!
He has a 3cm (about 1") tumor around his voice box and it is a T-4, not good. My husband Dave took it all in stride as he is a very strong man. Yes he is concerned and worried about himself and his family. Once we left the docs. office I asked him if I could breath, (I have a tendency to hold my breath and breath lightly) he said yes and I immediately started to cry. Yes, I am scared for him, he is the love of my life.
We sent the younger kids to their grandparents for the weekend and we had a good Saturday, but Sunday wasn't that great. We both had our minds on this and feelings were strong, we discussed it, cried and held onto one another. I will be there for him no matter the outcome.
Dave had a pet scan today and will be seeing another throat specialist on Dec. 5th to see if it has spread anywhere else and to see if he is a good candidate for chemo and radiation to shrink the tumor. If not he will be losing his wonderful voice. He has told me that he will make a video of himself so that I can always here him tell me he loves me in his voice. I don't care how he tells me as long as I have him the rest of our days.
Then you wouldn't believe it, our hot water heater went out this past Thursday then my washer (8 mos old) broke last night, I hope this isn't any indication of things to come. I just want my husband to be healthy. Thanks for listening.
7 comments:
From: mark drenning (creepincharlie@msn.com)
Sent: Tue 11/25/08 2:14 AM
jesus clara, i am so sorry to hear about your husand. i shall pray for him everyday.
Clara, I tried to post a comment to you, but kept getting an error message. I'll try again tomorrow. Just know that I'm praying for you and Dave and your family and will continue to. Be strong, God gives us so much strength when we need it most. Love, Jan
Clara, my dear old friend, my heart and my prayers go out to you and your entire family, I so wish that we were not so many miles apart. I know that God will give strength to everyone and will continue to be with you all. You are not alone, even when we think God is not there or listening, he is. Sometimes, I know that it is very hard to lay your burdens in his hands and leave them there and trust in him at all times; but we all have to have faith and remember that he is in control. Even thought our situations are different, Carlos and I have a very serious situation ourselves that we are having to deal with that came up on the evening of October 26th. We don't know how the outcome will be, but we have laid it in God's hands and continue to pray for the best. If you do not mind, I would like put Dave and your family on the pray list at my church. Love ya, Theresa
I read your blog and I will keep you all in my prayers. OMG, I am so sorry, but stay strong and make him talk now as much as he can stand it! Love you!
Cheryl Ann Nolin
I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and Dave.
Love ya,
Theresa
Oh my gosh Clara. I am so sorry to hear about what you all have been going through. God only gives us what He knows we can bear. You be the strong girl I've always known you to be. Everything will all work out...it always does. I will keep you and Dave in my prayers.
Love u,
Laurie
Hello Clara & Dave, this is your Cousin Tim and My Wife Linda, first let us say we're sorry to hear about what's ready to start taking place with The Chemo & All, just remember one thing, there will more or less be a good out come to this! Bob Seger went thru this same type of Throat Cancer Therapy and look at the dude now, he's back out singing live as well as producing C.D's, it's even been said that he's better now then ever. This is gonna be a slow process to under go, and it'll take plenty of patience & time to get thru all of this that you 2 are going to be going thru with Doctor Visits an all, but in the long run it'll all be worth the hassels that's ready to take place in your life's. Linda and I went thru all of this and then some with The Breast Cancer Treatment she had to go thru, and she's now been in remission for 3 years now since this Past October. Be ready for an on going year after year follow up after follow up, Basicilly throught the rest of your lifes. Remember, the best part of that can end up being another 30 or so year's of living yet to do, with plenty of memories yet to build together as Husband & Wife. We Wish You The Best.
With Love,
From Tim & Linda Ellis...
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