So a lot of people today have greeted me with "So...no news is good news, right?" I wish. We had our follow up appointment with Dr. Liao, our oncologist to go over results from Kim's biopsy on Monday. The results? Inconclusive. The tissue samples harvested are fibrous...and don't appear to be cancer. That was good news. There don't appear to be the traditional markers of lymphoma...also good news. However, Dr. Liao introduced me to a new phrase today: "The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." Translation...just because they haven't seen it yet doesn't mean it isn't there. Shit. What we now know is this...Kim's tissue samples have been sent to Phenopaths, a private pathology lab in Seattle. This apparently is a very good thing...like having Slash give you guitar lessons, or Billy Joel teach you piano or how to marry women WAY out of your league (which apparently I figured out on my own, thank you very much). They are staining the slides to further examine them. We'll hopefully hear something by Monday. The possibility exists that Kim may need to go in for more biopsy work. We've been given lots of new names as well...like Sclerosing Mediastenitis, Histoplasmosis, Immuno Histochemistry, and Sclerosing Lesion. As somebody with a Master's degree, I've never felt more dumb in my whole life. Are these people paid by the syllable? Yikes.
In the mean time, we appreciate the positive, encouraging words, they prayers, and laughs. Somebody told my mom today that "The Jews are praying..." for us. This cracks me up. New score card...
Christians...
Jews...
Muslims...
All praying for my wife and family. Like I told a colleague...at this point it doesn't matter if it is Jesus, Allah, Buddha or some Hindu god...we just want wellness. With that...I bid you good night and wish to pass on my most sincere thanks for walking this journey with us! All who read this are a blessing to my family...I hope you know that.
Steve
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This Catholic-Jew is too confused to know who to pray to, but always sends best wishes and is thinking about you guys every step of the way. I'm sending good karma vibes and I'll be checking for updates (every ten minutes probably) until we find out what this thing is. Love you guys!
ReplyDeleteSo the prayer now is that the absence of evidence IS the evidence of absence!!! The delay in diagnosis is frustrating but hopefully will ultimately result in the answer to our biggest prayers. God is good and - will - prevail!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say I appreciate you taking the time to update us all on the latest news, or lack of news. I also love your sense of humor and will continue to pray for you, Kim and your kids. It sounds like you are being a great support to your wife and that must be a huge comfort to her.
ReplyDeleteI need to go find my dictionary.....
ReplyDeleteI tell our students all the time that they will get dumber as they get older...regardless I fell that good things are still to come.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates. Our families thoughts and prayers are with you. Sounds like you have the best working with you. There is power in prayer.
ReplyDeleteYour amazing! We will continue our prayers and to follow this blog.
ReplyDeleteHang in there kids there is nothing harder than being in limbo or waiting for an answer. Our family is still praying for you and your family is constantly in our thoughts. Thanks steven for the beautiful updates your writing is a joy to read. Hopefully soon it will be on a much better note and subject matter. We love you and your family and will be here for you if you need us for anything love you lots the leifsen family
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