Practicing Waiting

I have not posted in awhile, mainly because there seem to be no words, and because life has been a bit topsy turvy this past week, with health issues involving friends, and then husband. This post has been prompted because one of my bloggy buddies, a lovely, sweet lady (as many of you are), contacted me to inquire how things are. Hence, this post – to let you know what’s happening in my world, and to let you know that we are navigating life’s speed bumps with as much grace as we can.

Husband has been noticing blurry vision in his right eye for quite some time now, but has resisted going to see his ophthalmologist. Because he is man, I guess, and man is tough. I guess. He finally went in last Wednesday morning – and doctor immediately ordered a CT scan of the brain and orb. The scan was done Thursday morning, and we requested a copy go to his oncologist. Oncologist and ophthalmologist discussed results and we were told to come in to see oncologist that afternoon. That visit was to inform us he has a large mass on the right side of the brain, which is pressing on the ventricles and causing the fuzzy vision – but also incurring a risk of seizures and a threat to life. Oncologist had talked with a neurosurgeon in Bend (because there are none in out bigger town) and had arranged to have husband airlifted to Bend that evening.

I drove up Friday morning with dear friends – dear, supportive, beyond-the-call-of-duty friends. The friends went home later that day, rescued our big furry girls from their empty house and took them to the friends’ home where I understand they have settled in quite nicely. The small furry girls get fed once a day, which should be as much as they need until we return. We wait. And wait some more. Husband was visited by a local oncologist yesterday evening – right after I left, of course, but husband did call me on my cell phone so I was able to talk with oncologist. The concern is the surgery is very risky, and will not be done if they do not feel his lifespan can be substantially extended by doing the surgery.

One of the surgeon’s PAs came in a few minutes ago – so far we know he has two of them at least, Jason and Scott. Scott was in today – he said Dr. Yundt will be in either today or tomorrow, but in the meantime he said he had spoken with the oncologist and the oncologist had indicated he felt the surgery would extend Pat’s life expectancy and therefore he was recommending it. Scott said they will probably do surgery, but it will probably not happen until next Wednesday or Thursday. At least we have some idea now of our direction. I’ll stay here until I actually talk with the surgeon, then decide what to do from there.

And that is where we are. In a little less limbo that earlier, but still not quite on ground level.

The sun rose this morning, as viewed through the blind in the hospital room, we have received so many wonderful messages of support and there are many many people praying for husband. So despite the problems, despite the fears, my heart is full.

This tumor is an extension of the prostate cancer we have been told. The moral of the story is that men need to have those PSA tests done on a regular basis – I care not at all that the government, that big brother who watches over us but I think puts its interests first, says they are not necessary because there are too many false positives. A false positive is better than no knowledge at all. We would not be here if husband had those tests done – and stupid me, a female, with no knowledge of what should be done for men, did not nag about it. So men, see your doctor, request your test! Ladies, make sure your men do that!

Until there are more words to share, I shall leave you all to enjoy your lives.