The Bottom Line:
Good, but not great. 1 small spot (1.5 cm x 1.3 cm) on upper left chest wall. The spot is "easily accessible & easily resectable" which means, "easy for surgeon to get to & remove."
The Plan:
Thus, I'll be back out here mid-May-ish for yet another go-round w/ my old friend Dr. Mehran the surgeon. Will probably be in hospital a couple of days, w/ another 7-10 days of feeling sort of yucky. The expectation is that this surgery & recovery will be more intense than my 2 VATS surgeries in 08, but less intense than the "Adam's-Rib" surgery of last summer (which had a *long* recovery!).
(Seemingly-Trivial Professional aside: it seems I'm just not destined to become a CFA, as this will be the 3rd consecutive year that I'll be bowing out of CFA II because of either actual medical stuff or threatened medical stuff...*sigh*)
The Reaction:
Hmmm...multiple reactions.
1) Obviously not the news we wanted. But when one has metastatic melanoma, such news is never totally unexpected. (Your takeaway point: USE SUNSCREEN!! *smile*)
2) **VERY IMPORTANT--In fact, this is the *MOST* Important One** God is ABSOLUTELY just as good & just as glorious & just as loving & just as worthy of our praise & of our lives as He was after my last scan which was clean! This circumstance does NOT diminish His goodness in general nor toward Mike Madaris & family in particular. The scan result also does NOT diminish His love in general, nor toward me personally.
Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways,
and how small a whisper do we hear of him!
But the thunder of his power who can understand?
Job 26:14
3) Dr. Homsi (my medical Oncologist) is very optimistic, as are we, as is the Dr. Mehran the surgeon. Just another bump in the road, Lord willing.
4) It's a reminder that all of us...Every. Single. Person....is, in the words of a dear friend, living in rented apartment space that's wearing out all around us.
5) I have no sense that the time of my departure is at hand. Nor do any of the Drs. involved. (The time of that departure is not ultimately in the hands of anyone @ M.D. Anderson, btw.)
6) A reminder of the importance of prayer.
7) Ditto theology.
8) Ditto praise.
Summing up, I'm convinced that I'm alive today because God providentially led me to MDA/Dr. Homsi/Dr. Hwu/Dr. Mehran. Lisa & I have total confidence in their skills (specifically in Dr. Mehran's as a surgeon @ the moment).
With all of that said, you're a praying type, Lisa & I would welcome your prayers. James & Anne too. And don't forget my Mom & her husband, & my brother & his family.
"Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone and live so all might see the strength to follow Your commands could never come from me. Oh Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose, and let my song forever be, 'My only boast is You.'" (a *great* song line; a much more difficult prayer goal for me personally right now)
With much love, & a thankful heart, & great hope,
Mike
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6 comments:
Continuing to keep you in my prayers. God is good, and He is in control. He has had His hands over you this whole time, and He will continue to do so.
Much love to you and your family,
Christy G
Thanks for being so authentic in your journey, Mike. Prayers for you and Lisa as you prepare for your return in May.
"Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks." Max Lucado
Love, and God's peace,
Rhonda
Thanks, bro, for your Christlike example, your lighthouse faith... and for being way more spiritually ready for this than I am.
God is good, and He knows the plans He has for you. I wish we both knew as well...but we know the ending.
Praying for you and Lisa--who's my other inspiration, btw--and the babies. Also praying for you are a churchful of the body over here in Prattville.
Much love,
Jim
I'm continuing to pray for you Mike. I believe your departure is not at hand and the Lord will carry through the difficulties. I pray for your entire family to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in your inner man and quickened in your mortal body! Amen! Give my love and genuine care to your entire family!
Lisa Kimbrell Hutchinson
Continuing to pray for you Mike and for your entire family. Please give my love and express my concern and thoughts to them. I pray that you will be strengthened with might by his Spirit in your inner man and that he will quicken your body! I know and believe your journey is not over and like you said your time is not at hand yet! God has more for you to do and say and your life is already such a testimony to his goodness. May you continue to lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and his amazing goodness. Blessings, Lisa Kimbrell Hutchinson
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