Part 1: written Wednesday through Friday, the week of October 4th
Whew!
I looked up overwhelming in a thesaurus to see if there's a different, less over-used word I could use. The alternatives include amazing, astounding, breathtaking, crushing, devastating, exciting, eye-opening, mind-boggling, overcoming, paralyzing, shattering, staggering, stunning....
I felt all of those things all at once on Monday. I held it together through the meetings with the doctor and the physiotherapist, paying for the parking, walking to the parking lot - - and then I broke down and cried once we got in the van.
I think Tom was taken aback because I generally have kept a pretty tight grip on my emotions since he was diagnosed! "Hey, Mom? Were we in a different meeting? I thought things looked good??". I had to explain this was a GOOD kind of crying.
Mike says he was overcome by his emotions when he got the news, too. And if we parents are feeling all these things, I can only imagine how he feels! But Tom seems to be taking it all in stride. As usual!
As we understand it, all the original tumors show either complete or near complete resolution. There are still low levels of metabolic activity highlighting on the scan, as his body continues to work to heal and break down the residual dead tumors.
There are two things to monitor and follow up on: his left ankle and the right side of his lung were also highlighted on the PET scan as showing increased metabolic activity.
The ankle issue is presumably a strain he suffered from a fall, and the lung spots are highly likely due to the cold he was fighting off at the time of the scan. The ankle has been x-rayed. The lung spots were considered 'too small to be classified'. To be prudent, they will be sure to include the lungs when he goes back to Calgary in 3 months for the next set of scans.
At present, the docs are extremely encouraged by the good response. Encouraged enough to classify this as a remission! To say this is exciting news is a bold-faced lie. It's amazing news! We hope to see the final official reports sometime in the next few days.
Calgary is setting up some consultations for Thomas to try to determine the cause of the 'pins and needles' pain and numbness that made it unbearable for him to get through the MRI in one go, as well as to evaluate what else can and should be done by various specialties (oncology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, neurology, etc.) to help him regain as much normal movement and strength as possible. So we may have a trip back to Calgary sooner rather than later. Still, these specialists are usually accessible more quickly in Calgary than here, so the trip is definitely worthwhile!
We are also waiting for a referral to a physiotherapist here who will work together with the Alberta Children's Oncology therapist to build a plan, and monitor Tom's progress. In addition, Dr. Haq is requesting the surgery for Tom's central line to be removed - which looks like it should happen in early November. It is so tremendous to be able to move from being consumed with how to survive, to now being focused on how to thrive!
It's so nice to be back at home, even though we love it at Bernie and Eileen's. We have so much fun catching up with them. Their oldest son joined the Army reserves last week. (It's kind of a big thing!) Dave will begin by working as a mechanic part-time (as he is in Grade 12 this year) and will go to Ontario next summer for a basic training camp. Who knows where this journey will lead him.... but we are proud of him and we support him.
The kids all enjoyed hanging out together - that has been one side benefit of Tom's journey is that he's gotten a chance to get to know Amy, Steven and David much better than he would have otherwise, given how far apart we live!
Nancy is home this weekend, and our kids are taking us out to dinner on Saturday in honour of our wedding anniversary, coming up on Tuesday. Assuming we make it till then - and it's looking like good odds right now - we'll be celebrating our 25th anniversary!
Nancy brought home her friend Andrea, who is from Appleton, Wisconsin, but who is also attending school in Minot. I think she's enjoyed her visit with us, even if our house is kind of crazy at times!
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Part 2: Written Sunday, October 11th
I had the above ready to post and then got distracted... so I can tell you all now "the rest of the story".
We knew our kids planned to take us to dinner Saturday.
What we did not know was they had been planning a party! Mike was completely caught off guard, but I did think something was up when our daughters were pitching in - without being asked - to help with housework on Saturday. Not to imply that the girls don't help out, but typically I do have to ask! Hmmm. I was thinking maybe we might have some 'surprise' company back at the house after dinner. But I didn't question it - it was a win/win situation, right? Even if I was wrong, the house was getting clean!
In fact, we were met at the restaurant by our inlaws and outlaws from both sides, most of our wedding party, and some of our closest friends for a special gathering. It was truly a beautiful thing!
Near the end of the evening we blathered out some words of thanks, but not being prepared in advance I'm not sure how well we did. I hope we managed to convey that we feel so blessed. We have each other. We have friends and family who love us and support us. We have four young (almost) adult children who amaze us with their humour, grace and strength, and their individuality. ... And their ability to keep a secret. This party was a beautiful anniversary gift, and we can't thank them enough.
We've been through some stuff, to be sure. But the events of the past year, in particular, have brought home to us that very little 'stuff' really matters in the grand scheme of things.
We are deeply grateful for the gift of each new day, for the chance to put God's love into service. And in the end, love is the thing that matters most.
We have so much to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Laura, Jeanine, Nancy and Thomas' Mom and Dad
(Marilyn and Mike)
P.S. If anyone has pics from the evening to share, please feel free to send and I will post them!
P.P.S. Thanks,Wendy, for putting me in touch with the awesome new Bon Jovi tune, "What Do You Got?" -- Have a listen (click on the arrow to play the video below). It really speaks to me. I hope you enjoy!
