Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Worried, but grateful

Yesterday Gregg came home from work, sat down heavily in a chair beside me, and said, "I got a call from Jamie Smith this morning. From him, not his office."

Jamie Smith is Dr. Jamie Smith, his oncologist. My heart sank.

Gregg's been having yearly chest CT scans since 2012, when he was treated for stage 3 lung cancer. One such scan was a couple of weeks ago. Apparently there have been some small but measurable changes in his chest area since the last one, and out of an abundance of caution Dr. Smith is sending him to have a PET scan next week. For those of you lucky enough to not know, PET scans are used to detect cancer. There's a small possibility that there's been a recurrence. 

Dr. Smith said (more than once) that he thinks there's less than a 10% chance that the cancer is back, but since Gregg only has one lung (they removed his left lung to save his life), there's just no room to take a "wait and see" approach. Catching any recurrence in the very earliest stages will be crucial to treating it successfully. He told Gregg to do his best not to worry over the next few days (easier said than done, of course, which he readily admitted) because he really thinks it will prove to be nothing. 

But oh, it's scary. It's hard not to worry. 

At the same time, I'm so incredibly grateful to Dr. Smith. He's been watching out for my husband for years now, and I have faith in him. He's not only a good oncologist, but he's also kind and thoughtful. He says he'll have answers for us within a day or two of the PET scan, which is next Tuesday. You can't ask for any better than that. 

But it's going to be a long week. 

44 comments:

Mistress Maddie said...

We will, I'm sure, all keep you in thought and everything crossed we can, and only hope for the best. A good, caring, knowledgeable doctor is very important. Not to mention comforting.

Ms. Moon said...

Sending love. May all be well.

Margaret said...

Hoping for the best news! (can't really say positive here, can I?) Anyway, the waiting is one of the hardest parts. I remember from my husband's cancer battle.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Sending you both love, support, strength, all kinds of positive vibes with an outcome of good news. I get you!! I really do. The wait is awful- you kind of wish you could just be knocked out so you don’t have to be experiencing the wait time. But of course - detecting anything early is always best. HUGS! - Jenn

Dave R said...

At least you're working with medical professionals who are on top of this.

Bob said...

Sending all good thoughts that this turns out to be nothing!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I hope it all turns out well -- and yes, the doctor sounds like he's carefully monitoring the situation and is right on the ball. That's a good thing!

Cro Magnon said...

Oh dear Jennifer, what a shock. But do take note of his doctor, it could well turn out to be nothing. I'm sending you both my very best wishes, and I'll be thinking of you. xx

Librarian said...

It IS scary, and naturally you are both worried. But like everyone else here (and yourselves, as well as the doctor), I hope it'll be nothing - and even if not, the early detection will make it easier to treat.
Both you and Gregg have good doctors, that's definitely something to be grateful for.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have been through similar'scares' with both of my husbands so I know just how easy it is to say 'try not to worry' and how hard it is to follow that advice. Thinking of you. xx

Steve Reed said...

That is scary. My thoughts are with you both.

Michael said...

Oh Jennifer, I am so sorry to read this. As you know, I can understand what you are going through with my own ups and downs with cancer. I will keep you in my thoughts and I hope everything turns out well for the two of you. And yes, waiting is the worst.

Ellen D. said...

Hoping all turns out well, Jennifer.

Colette said...

Hoping for the best!

Melinda from Ontario said...

I'm so sorry you have to endure this agonizing wait. I'm sending positive thoughts as I type.

tahoegirl.blog said...

the waiting is always the worst part. But if there are changes and it's detected then a PET scan is the best. Having dealt with cancer for 18 years and now face another relapse all I can say is what gets me thru, 'It is what it is, what it is'. Somehow this reassures me, and then I can go forward.

Joanne Noragon said...

Hoping for the best possible news at the end of your wait.

Rachel Phillips said...

Thinking of you Jennifer. X

Tom Stephenson said...

Worrying of course, but it sounds like it's going to be ok to me.

Jennifer said...

I'm trying to figure out how to send you an email, Rachel....

Jennifer said...

I think it probably will, too. Thanks Tom.

Jennifer said...

I appreciate that. xx

Jennifer said...

I understand that. Wishing you the best.

Jennifer said...

I'm accepting them gratefully!

Jennifer said...

We are too! Thanks!

Jennifer said...

I appreciate it!

Jennifer said...

I know you understand. Thank you for your kind words! I hope you're having a low stress week, getting ready for your wedding!!

Jennifer said...

Thanks Steve.

Jennifer said...

Not only does Gregg have a great oncologist, but his good friend is the top pulmonary specialist in this area (Dr. Vinod Jona). Dr. Smith has already conferenced with Vinod about this latest issue and Vinod is prepared to do a biopsy immediately if anything lights up on the PET scan. We are BEYOND fortunate.

Jennifer said...

Thank you dear Cro. That means a lot to me. xx

Jennifer said...

It is! I feel like my husband is in great hands, and that's a huge comfort.

Jennifer said...

Fingers crossed! Thanks Bob.

Jennifer said...

And they're very competent professionals, too. We are lucky.

Jennifer said...

Thank you! Gregg is working a lot over the next few days and trying to keep distracted.

Jennifer said...

Yes, "positive" is a negative word in this situation!

Jennifer said...

Thank you so much, Mary.

Jennifer said...

Thank you Maddie. My friends here are a real comfort, too. I haven't told anyone beyond my blog friends.

Michael said...

A little stress, but not too much!

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Be brave! The two of you have faced a lot together and you can face this too.

Rachel Phillips said...

You have emailed me before quite recently so presumably you have a record.

Coppa's girl said...

Sending good wishes to you both and hope that all will be well.

Latane Barton said...

Saying a prayer... and keeping my fingers crossed that all is well.

Ur-spo said...

Yes it is a bad sign when the doctor calls, but what he said makes sense viz. look at it closer. Naturally we all jumped to the worse/cancer. I too will be watching for updates.

Terra said...

I am hoping for a great health report with the news you want. It sounds like his doctor is keeping a close eye on Gregg's health which is a big plus.