Crazy Week!

This has sure been a crazy week and it is only Tuesday! Justin and I had some serious conversations over the weekend after doing some research and decided that in order to make the best decision for the next step, we had to ask some serious questions when we met with the radiation oncologist on Monday and the lymphoma specialist at U of M today. It wasn't easy, but I think in the end we have made the best decision for Justin.

I won't ramble on with all that was said, but get right to our decision. Justin has decided to get two more cycles [4 treatments] of the same chemotherapy regimen he just finished. It is really the best option with all the information we have, or don't have for that matter.

First off, we have no idea if he is clear of cancer. The uptake showing on his last PET scan is relatively high. We asked about a biopsy, but it isn't an option because it is too invasive and there is a high possibility it will tell us a false negative. And whether the biopsy was negative or positive, we would probably have the same list of choices we have now. I don't know if we would choose a different one. So really not worth the risk of what that procedure would bring to be sitting in the same boat that we are sitting in now.

Justin has already responded great to chemotherapy. It is our hope that he just needs a bit more to do the trick. In two months, Justin will repeat the CT and PET scan and we will have to make another decision based on those results. We know what the possibilities are and are hoping that after two cycles his scans will show that he is in remission and can move on to radiation.

I keep reminding Justin and I that this has only extended his treatment longer than we had originally planned. This hasn't changed the end result. It is hard to get passed the disappointment and the fear, but I know we can do this. I know Justin can do this.

Justin will have his #13 treatment on Thursday, and will continue every two weeks from there on out.

This weekend is Adam Hubner's wedding. Justin has been so excited to be a part of his wedding and was already devastated when he couldn't attend the bachelor party a few weekends ago. We are still planning to go and have the most wonderful time! We are also not changing our plans to vacation the following week in Lexington at a cottage with my family. Instead of being disappointed and putting our lives on hold, we have decided that these treatments and scans will have to find a way to work around us.

We still have an appointment with Dr. Junck tomorrow. Justin had his MRI this morning and Dr. Alzoubi read the results. Things sounded good, so hopefully there won't be any surprises tomorrow. We have had enough for one week!