Living Life by the Drop

We finally have some information on the situation. This is always the worst part; knowing the cancer is there but not knowing what can be done about it. We actually saw his MRI on the computer screen. The tumor is very large. It measures 4.75 cm (approx. 2 inches) and is in the maxillary sinus cavity behind the left eye; moving into Denny's nasal area. That being said, the news was a bit grimmer than we had hoped. However, Denny does have options. Tomorrow at 10am he will be having a PET scan. The chemo doctor (Dr. Adkins) says that he, the ENT (Dr. Haughey) and Neurosurgeon (Dr. Chicoine) all want to confirm that the cancer has not spread anywhere else. Once the results of the PET are known, these become the possible options: 1) If the PET is clear, the ENT and Neurosurgeon will debate whether or not the tumor can be removed surgically. The ENT was adamant that the tumor is inoperable. The Neurosurgeon questions that. 2)The second option is that Denny receive chemotherapy whether the PET is clear or not. Chemo by itself will not cure or kill the cancer. If this option is chosen, Denny will have to be on some form of chemo the rest of his life; however long that may be. We are digging down deep to find a bright side and it is that at least he has options. The worst news we could have heard today is, "There is nothing we can do." We didn't hear that so there is always hope. Please say a prayer that the PET scan is clear. That is the first step in the right direction. When I called the kids tonight to tell them, I said, "We need to stay strong and keep going. We can't give cancer victory over us by making us less than we can be." The Stevie Ray Vaughan song "Life by the Drop" has been in my mind today. Some of the lyrics are: "No wasted time....We're alive today, Churnin' up the past....There's no easier way, Time's been between us....A means to an end, God it's good to be here walkin' together my friend." So where do we go from here? We won't give in or give up. We'll just live life by the drop.....

May the Odds Be Ever In Our Favor

If you are a "Hunger Games" fan, you will recognize the title of today's blog post. Since my last entry, the Woodruff 4 has spent that time getting our battle plan together and gathering our forces. Not being in the same physical place when the news came in was difficult. Dan got home from his Appalachian excursion about midnight on Friday so we were able to talk about what lies ahead. Dana is a different story. Heading into finals and being so far away at a time when she needed to be with her family took a little bit of a toll on her. Justin and I made a quick trip down to Bama yesterday to give her a dose of home. I can now confidently say that the Woodruff 4 is back in Warrior-mode. It took a couple of emotional days to get our feet back under us but we have done it. The update, for now, is that Denny and I are headed into St. Louis today. He is scheduled to get labs tomorrow and then we see Dr. Adkins (oncologist) to discuss what the options are. Denny's team of doctors have been working through the weekend putting together a treatment plan. Hopefully, we will have one in place by tomorrow. I will post it as soon as we know. We will be staying with Denny's sister, Anita, while we are up in St. Louis. At this point, we have no idea how long we are going to be there. My mom is coming to stay with Dan so he will not be rattling around the house dwelling on the situation. Besides, he loves it when his Grammy fixes biscuits and gravy! I'm signing off for now. I've got to get our things packed. So, let the games begin. May the odds be ever in our favor.

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

Something wicked is definitely a way to describe this disease. Yes, the cancer is back. For those of you just joining the blog, the type of cancer is "sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma"; a rare type of sinus cancer. The "undifferentiated" part is what makes this cancer so hard to kill. We will not be going to St. Louis to do a biopsy. They found a tumor somewhere behind his left eye orbit and left side sinus cavity wall. I don't have a lot of details at this time. We do not know the size or shape of the tumor yet. However, Dr. Haughey, the ENT doctor, is once again at the helm. We have the utmost confidence in him and his team. Denny is one of the few people with this disease to live longer than 5 years. We are waiting for the doctors to decide on a course of treatment. At this time, we know he will be scheduled for chemotherapy. I should hear something by 3pm today. Due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, they will be getting Denny in ASAP. "TheWoodruff4" team is back in battle mode. We are determined not to let this disease win. Right now, as you can guess, we are fighting shell-shock. We thought we would have more good days before this disease reared it's ugly head again. Unfortunately, we are not all in one place together. Dana is at the University of Alabama getting ready for finals. Daniel is in the Appalachian mountains working on a water management system to provide running water for some of the poorest people in Tennessee. Denny & I are home. However, once we get over the shock, we will pool our strengths together as we always have. What can you do to help? Please say a prayer for him. We believe in miracles. They are happening every moment of every day. Please ask God to grant Denny another one. Thank you.

Still Waiting on a Plan

Dr. Haughey has decided that Denny needs an MRI. One has been scheduled for 7:15am this morning. After that, he will go to preregister for surgery next week. Dr. Haughey will be going in for a biopsy and to try to get a better look at the sinus cavity. We don't have a date yet. That will be scheduled today. I will update as the info comes in. Thanks to everyone who responded on facebook. Denny appreciates all of your prayers.

A Test of Faith

I wanted to post this update on the latest with Denny's cancer fight. He has been having problems with uncontrolled bleeding from his nose, swelling around his left eye with constant watering, and double vision. He wasn't supposed to be seen for a checkup until August. However, given these symptoms, the doctors recalled him to St. Louis for testing. It has been determined that his eyes are not tracking the same which gives us chills because that is one of the symptoms he had in the very beginning. Dr. Haughey, the ENT, went in with a scope and has found an area in the sinus cavity that appears abnormal. He cannot see any tumors; just an area of cells that are suspicious. Dr. Haughey would not say anymore than that. I will keep the blog updated with any news we receive. In the meantime, please say a little prayer that all goes well. Thank you.

Hopefully just a Bump and not a Battle

Events are finally in motion. Denny and I will be leaving for St. Louis on August 1st which also happens to be the first day of school for Dan. Denny will have an MRI done at 3:45p on the 1st. Then, on the 2nd, he will see the neuro-opthamologist and have a Humphrey field test. This is a test he has done since the beginning so it will tell them if his vision is narrowing or getting worse. On the 3rd, we will see Dr. Haughey, who has been in charge of his case since 2004. He is the ear-nose-throat surgeon who looks up inside the sinus cavity with a scope for any visual changes. We will know after the conclusion of these appointments just exactly what we are dealing with. After that appointment, we will be headed home. On the 9th, Denny will go back to St. Louis by himself for a CAT scan and Labs. He will meet with his neurosurgeon and oncologist for his regularly scheduled 6 month checkup. I will be taking Dana to college on the 11th so Dan will be holding down the fort while we are all on our various road trips. It is wonderful that we can depend on our very responsible 16 year old to do this. I'm very proud of him as you can tell! I'll keep posting to the blog with any updates as they become available. Let's all say a prayer that this is just a bump in the road and not a battle in the war. Either way, the Woodruff4 is on it! Love to all, Deb

August Rush

Looks like Denny is headed to St. Louis the first two weekends in August. He was originally scheduled for August 10th but is having some problems. Dr. Haughey, the doc in charge of his case from the beginning, wants him in the LOU PRONTO! Denny is having trouble with his vision and his balance. The vision is particularly concerning because it is on the same side the tumor originated on. He will be undergoing many tests and doctor visits those first two weekends. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to go with him for both weekends as Dana is leaving for college on August 11th. Things will work out the way they are supposed too. We are holding our breath, once again, in hopes that this will not be the beginning of another battle. I will post as the info comes available. Thanks for checking in. Love to all, Deb