Medical Update/Prayer Request

So...the results of yesterday's P.E.T. scan showed good news & less-good news.

The good news: Only one small spot showed up just outside the lung. No signs of metastatic melanoma elsewhere in my body. Nurse, P.A., & Dr. Homsi all mentioned this.

The less-good news: there is the one spot...It was noticed in the last P.E.T. scan in November, but only barely lit up on the scan. Hence this scan yesterday. This time, it really lit up on the scan.

So, what does this mean?
Glad you asked. Dr. Homsi recommends another surgery along the lines of the previous two. So, I have an appt. w/ Dr. Mehran tomorrow (Wed.) at 8:30. The strong hope/prayer is that Dr. Mehran will agree to operate again. So there's the immediate prayer concern.
I've already received a call from his nurse saying that if he operates (his decision, not hers, of course), it would be on Thurs. Feb. 26. I'd be back out here the Wed. before for cardio function tests, which I passed w/ flying colors last time.

I'll update more later. Briefly, here's where we are emotionally & spiritually:
--God is not surprised, nor is He scared. He is the Alpha & Omega, the first and the last. He knows the end from the beginning, and is mindful that we are but dust. He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or think. He has called me by name; I am His. If He be for me, who can be against me? Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors,that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty,the Lord, mighty in battle!
(There's more, but that'll do for now...awesome, isn't He??)
--There is still good news here. First, for example, there's *no* evidence that it's spread anywhere new. Still just in the lung. Nowhere else lit up on the P.E.T. scan. Second, again, it's just the one spot. Third, Dr. Homsi said that I was in much worse shape last year. (OK...so that last one is an odd way to find encouragement...I'm reminded of the excellent scene from Monty Python's Holy Grail: "it's only a flesh wound"...*huge grin*)
--Lisa & I are fine, all things considered. I was less bummed this time than previous times. Really!
--So, we're eager to crank up the video surgery tools & get this one out too, should Dr. Mehran agree.
--Both of our bosses are already moving the world to enable us to not worry about missing another day of work tomorrow. (memo to all: when picking a workplace, make sure to pick a great boss!)
--My HS classmate didn't hesitate about inviting us to stay over an extra night. Wanna know what the spiritual gift of hospitality looks like? Come stay @ Diane's with us.
--Our vehicle lender said that his only request was that we NOT worry about having his truck an extra day. And he's already offered it for the surgery too.
--Within an hour, I already had multiple comments & encouraging notes via facebook. Once again, the Body of Christ is doing what it does; "bear one another's burdens & thus fulfill the law" as Paul said. We are most assuredly NOT feeling left alone here!

Thank you so very much for mentioning us in the throneroom of glory! May the One Who sits there enthroned receive all the glory.

Because I am securely in His grip, I close this
With love and hope,
Mike

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you...: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3a