The Walk Has Begun Again

Once again I find myself sitting here trying to find the right words to write, so I will just start from the beginning. In Nov. 2008 my husband Dave was diagnosed with stage 4, level 3 squamous cell laryngeal cancer. In July, 2009 (prior blogs) his larynx was removed and there was no evidence of cancer. Dave returned to work in Nov. 2009 and was doing well, then in Feb. 2010 he was laid off. Dave no longer has health insurance now and was still undergoing follow up Pet/Ct scans and dr. visits at University Hosp. and the radiation oncologist here. Daves last Pet/CT scans in April, 2010 showed areas of concern on his lungs and an area of lymph nodes next to his esophagus. A biopsy was scheduled in May at which time we found out that Dr. Rezaee his ENT was unable to do, due to the location of the areas. We were then referred to a thoracic dr. by the name of Dr. Carsten Schroeder, also located at Univ. Hosp. Ireland Cancer Ctr. He performed the biopsies on his right lung, the dr. actually took about 7-10% of volume of his right lung, he also did a pericaridal window (drained fluid from the cardiac sack)of and Dave was in the hosp. for 5 days. I was fortunate enough to stay at Hope Lodge next to the hosp. for those 5 days. Dave has recovered from that surgery and doing well.

Now fast forward to today. It seemed like it went by really fast because of all the activity. We left for Cleveland this morning to see Dr. Rezaee for Daves usual follow up and to discuss test results, not in detail though that was done by Dr. Schroeder. Things moved fast from there, Dr. Rezaee had a oncologist stop in to see Dave and work out a time to see him, which is next Thur. the 15th. Dave then had to zip up to radiology for a chest x-ray, and then on to Dr. Schroeders office.

We all set down to discuss the results of Daves biopsies. Unfortunately it was not the news we wanted to hear. Dave has metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, meaning metastasis that is away from the original location. The cancer cells in the lung were delivered there by Daves bloodstream. They are considering it stage 4, which is what the laryngeal was staged. Dave does have fluid in his lungs which also takes away from his lung function. The next step is the appt. with the chemotherapy dr. on Thursday at which time we will find out all treatment options available to Dave, and also the prognosis and any further details. Thank you for all your prayers, we love you and God Bless.