Sunday, January 5, 2014

The "C" Word

How did we get here?  The "C" word? The husband and I seem to have told the story countless times since last Thursday.  But that happens when a lightning bolt strikes and no one saw it coming.  We figured it would be easiest to recount the past month here.  That way the story doesn't get construed, everyone will be all up to speed and perhaps we don't have to keep retelling it.  We'll just give you the blog address. ;)  

December 6th- The husband FINALLY went to the doctor after me nagging for a month.  It was for some stomach issue.  I figured he had an ulcer or something.  His doctor had retired so he saw the new doc.  She had him take an X-ray of his abdomen.  Well she didn't like what she saw (turns out she did the x-ray wrong) so he was sent to the hospital for a CT scan.  We spent all afternoon doing the CT scan to find there was nothing wrong with his abdomen.  But they did find a "spot" on his left hip.

December 9th- The husband talked to the primary care doctor and she referred him to the orthopedic doc that he had seen before for his shoulder.

December 11th- The husband met with the orthopedic doc to go over his CT scan.  Dr said the spot was not something he could deal with, it needed to be checked out by a bone cancer specialist and referred the husband to The Bone and Joint Institute.

December 18th- We met with Dr. Ward.  He ordered another CT scan, a biopsy and a full body bone scan. Once we got those results, we would know more of what we were dealing with and how to treat it.

December 23rd- We spent the day at the hospital.  First thing in the morning, he had an upper chest CT scan.  Then he went in for his biopsy.  After that, I got him over to the bone scan.

January 2nd- Met with Dr. Ward for the results of the tests.  He said the upper CT scan looked good.  Nothing on it that he was worried about.  The full body scan didn't show any bone abnormalities.  However, the biopsy results were not as positive.  The husband's hip tumor is cancerous.  It's called a plasmocytoma.  Basically, it is a malignant plasma cell tumor growing within his hip bone.  We have to rule out multiple myeloma though.  Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow.  It causes plasma cells to reproduce uncontrollably.  So we must figure out if this is an isolated tumor or if it is throughout his system.

The next step....a bone marrow biopsy.  We have not received the appointment for that yet.  We'll be calling first thing Monday to see what the hold up is.  Once that is completed, we'll know exactly what we're dealing with and start a treatment plan.  If it's the one plasmocytoma, he will undergo radiation.

We very much appreciate all the kind words and support we've received.  We'll take all your prayers, good juju and positive thoughts you send our way!

20 comments:

cdncowgirl said...

Oh. My...
I'm guessing this is that "houseguest" you wrote about in your last post. Funny, somehow I thought you were meaning another "C word" (hint, it's a nasty 4 letter word).
Knee mail that everything turns out okay & for strength to you and your hubby.

ellie k said...

I will be praying for your hubby. My hubby had lung cancer two years ago, had two lobes of his right lung removed, everything went well. This CT scan he had in Dec. Showed something on the third lobe, it may be scar tissue or the cancer returned. He will have a new scan in another month to see if the spot has changed, if so he will have a biopsy and we will go from there. I will be praying for both of our men.

Anonymous said...

Kit you and George are both in our prayers. Ken wants George to know he's here for him and he can always give him a call. He will message his number to you.
All our love, the Hoyt's.

Linda said...

Praying for you from the north country.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Damn cancer...sending good thoughts:)

small farm girl said...

We'll crap..........
We will be praying for you guys. Please keep us updated.

Debbie said...

Good thoughts and prayers coming your way from WV. Hang in there!

Unknown said...

So now I get the irony of your run. Husband is in my thoughts and if there is things to do/donate ... just let me know

Unknown said...

*if there are things.....

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers here too.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Will be praying for the husband and for you. Hopefully it is the lesser evil and he will be through with it soon

Frank James said...

We love you two more than words can say.

Uncle Frank and family.

Paintsmh said...

O Lord Kit that wasnt what i was expecting for the c word to be. Thoughts prayers and well wishes with you all.

Linda said...

All the prayers & good vibes I can muster coming your way.

Leah said...

Just catching up on some posts - sending prayers and hoping you hear only positive news.

Ranch Girl Diaries said...

So sorry to hear this be strong take it day by day. We are all thinking of you.

aarond said...

So sorry to hear this, will be hoping for the best

Nicole said...

OMG, I'm soooooooo sorry! Good thoughts and prayers coming from this direction!

The Wife said...

Thank You everyone for the kind words and support. This is a tough situation but I'm pretty dang tough myself and my wife is ten times as tough as me. We are going to fight and be strong.
Thanks again, The Husband

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

Oh my gosh. I haven't looked at your blog in a very very long time. I check in and the damn C has hit again. I wish you the very best for getting rid of this hurdle in your lives. Sending my healing thoughts to both of you.