Friday, June 05, 2009

Another Doorway

Here is a door we didn't expect to enter on this trip but we have. The door into the Houston Medical Center and the whole medical system of things out of our control and of waiting for a call, a test or a report.

Here is what has happened. Ned went for his check-up and a couple of days later, his doctor called to say that the x-ray showed a mass in his lung. What a shock! No sign or symptoms. Nothing was there last year but now something is there. Next came a CT scan which indicated a 3 cm tumor consistent with a primary tumor. Then the wait to schedule a biopsy. The biopsy report indicated that Ned has an adenocarcinoma. Yesterday we saw the oncologist. He said that if you have to have cancer of the lung, Ned's situation is the best. He has never smoked, it is small and it appears to be a Stage I cancer. There will be another battery of tests and a meeting with the surgeon. Most likely he will have surgery to remove the lobe of the lung where this cancer is trying to make a home.

While the next few weeks may be difficult, we feel really good about finding the cancer early and about the doctors who are taking care of him. We feel fortunate that we have the great Houston Medical Center with all of its knowledge and technical expertise just literally a mile or two from our son's house where we are staying.

So while we have entered this door, we hope that it is a revolving door that whirls us around and sends us back out again healed and headed home to San Miguel de Allende as soon as possible.

22 comments:

Diane said...

God's speed and best wishes.
Diane

Nancy said...

Wow, what a shock! You are in good hands, try not to worry too much. I really believe in the power of positive thinking, so please try to stay as positive as you are in this post. Give our best to Ned. We are thinking of you both.

Nancy & Paul

GlorV1 said...

Best wishes to you and your husband Ned. I agree with Nancy about trying to stay as positive as possible. Take care.

Steve Cotton said...

You and Ned are in my prayers. I agree with Nancy that mindset makes a world of difference -- even though I do not always foillow that advice.

Calypso said...

Amiga - You and Ned are in our prayers - glad this was discovered early.

Jonna said...

All our love to you both. We know you both will be swinging back out those doors soon and on your way home.

kate i said...

Billie, Bob and I send our love and prayers to both you and Ned at this time. We're so sorry that he's going through this but so very glad that it's been caught early.

You're in our thoughts.

((hugs))
Kate and Bob

Anonymous said...

My grandfather had lung cancer that was caught early, and it responded well to radiation (he wasn't a candidate for surgery). It's such a positive that this was found early, and that Houston has such a great medical center where he can receive treatment. You're both in my thoughts and prayers.

Leigh

1st Mate said...

Billie - you've got a good attitude and I'm hoping for the best possible outcome on Ned's treatment.

Heather said...

Ned will be in my prayers. It's very good it was caught ealy.

john said...

Billie--I'm so glad this was caught early, and that you are in Houston where the medical care is the best. My thoughts are with you and Ned.

Unknown said...

I believe luck is with you and Ned this time and it will stay with you until this particular "journey" is completed. Ellie

Ron Stephens said...

Hi Billie,Hi Ned,
You guys lead SUCH an exciting life, just jumping from one adventure to the next. We love you both and hope you get this "licked" soon and come home to us here in SMA.
Ron & Fred

Fron's Adventures said...

Billie and Ned,
Our prayers are with you. We will be thinking of you each day until you are back home in San Miguel. We "owe" you dinner with "port and chocolate" for dessert! Please keep us all updated daily. Warmest regards. Fred & Ron

Suzanne said...

Hi Billie and Ned,
Like everyone else all that comes to mind before any thoughts is WOW - our best wishes for the coming weeks and with all you get to do next. I am sure you are in a bit of shock, and so lucky to have discovered it at an early stage. Best of everything to you and be sure to let us know if we can be of help with anything here in SMA while you are up north. We'll be following along with all of our support.

Suzanne & John

Billie Mercer said...

Dear Friends and Blog Readers,
Ned and I appreciate all your concern and good thoughts. We are pretty positive about the situation but you can never have too many people praying for you. I'll post about Ned as we go along.
Again, Thank you.

Deborah said...

Best wishes and a speedy recovery for Ned!

Deb

Anonymous said...

It's great that the doctors detected the problem fast! My best wishes for Ned and you.

Islagringo said...

And my best wishes to the list!

Anonymous said...

Boy, howdy! I drop my reading a couple of days and things happen!

Coming from a family of cancer survivors all I can say is: hang in there - things will get better.

Bill O.

Unknown said...

Just opened your blog and read about Ned. I'm keeping you both in my prayers. Hoping to see you on your return to SMA.

Michael Dickson said...

Thanks for posting this. You have inspired me and my wife to get X-rays. Both former smokers, I have not had one in two years, and my wife in five.

We send good wishes and buena suerte to you both.