NEWS

We have more news. Freshen up your cup of coffee & pull up a chair; this might take a few minutes...

The bottom line:
Based on all of the tests, Dr. Kim thinks this is lung cancer. He has the wheels turning as if that's the case. More tests, and then surgery next Friday morning, back out here. (details follow)

The details:
--Tomorrow, I have a pulmonary function test (basically blowing in tubes, as I understand it). Then home to H'burg. (w00t!)
--Back out here to MDA next Wednesday, for a CT scan in the afternoon.
--Meet w/ surgeon & anthesiologist Thursday, then surgery Friday morning to remove the spots on my left lung.

The surgery is VATS, which stands for video assisted thorascopic surgery (or "very astronomically 'spensive," whichever...*grin*). This is a relatively non-invasive way to go into my left lung & remove the lesions there. Note: not "biopsy" them, but remove them. He's going to remove the ones in my left lung. Non-invasive => I may be released the next day, assuming all goes well. Planning to teach my classes the next week & all!

--After this surgery, the answer will be known with certainty, for the lesions themselves will be out & under the microscope. Thus, if they are in fact cancer, those have already been removed. In that case, the one in my right lung will be dealt with as cancer--prolly some combo of radiation + either chemo or the newer hormone/chemo pill as needed.
If, in fact, it turns out that these are something besides cancer, like a fungus, then that will also be known decisively, and the remaining one will be treated accordingly.

So, my friends, it remains a rather serious situation. Until further notice, assume that it's lung cancer and pray accordingly. BTW, we absolutely loved our Dr. and the resident we met with too. The Dr. was amazingly savvy in his abuse of me in my Crimson Tide shirt, mentioning Mike Shula and Nick Saban both as he abused me. *grins* More seriously, I greatly appreciated this throwaway comment he made in the course of a lengthy explanation: "I never make life pronouncements, for it is not in my power to give life."

On a very serious note, today was a wonderfully bizarre day spiritually. (Actually, not that bizarre, as I know the Source...) Here we were being told that I likely have lung cancer with words like "surgery" and "radiation" and "chemo" tossed around, and I honestly tell you neither Lisa nor I experienced the slightest bit of panic, nor did we shed a tear. I never felt anything but, well, joy. I assure you, this is not normal--I'm not near that spiritual! Rather, our Lord chose to pour out His Spirit and His grace into our lives today. I'm firmly convinced that part of what we experienced was Him answering your prayers; know that we are so very grateful and humbled to have been prayed for by so many. (Could you please keep them coming just a bit longer? We still are in the midst of this bend & don't know when it will straighten out...And I imagine I'll have my human moments that will not be nearly as spiritual as today was, sadly)

Know that we're fine, and are glad the wheels are turning & the process moving forward. We are very optimistic; the Dr. is too.

I leave you with the lyrics to one of my favorite praise songs, "Be Unto Your Name" by Lynn DeShazo and Gary Sadler.

We are a moment, You are forever
Lord of the ages, God before time
We are a vapor, You are eternal
Love everlasting, reigning on high


Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your Name

We are the broken, You are the healer
Jesus, Redeemer, Mighty to save
You are the love song we'll sing forever
Bowing before you, blessing Your name

Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your Name...Be Unto Your Name.

With much love and hope,
Mike