Thursday Update

"Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:18:52 +0000
Good morning!

Great news - the pathology report indicated that both tumors were the same kind - neuroendocrine. Given that Dr. Arnoletti said that the two tumors were "stuck together" when he took them out, I am guessing now that they were one in the same. The tumor she had five years ago had continued to grow slowly. I know this doesn't make sense since all of her CAT scans the past five years had indicated that the pancreatic tumor was shrinking, but does cancer ever make sense? We are so thankful that he was able to remove the whole tumor - it's out of there!! I was not at the hospital when the doctor came by so I still have some questions for him; he did now say anything about the report on the lymph nodes.

Linda has another rough night - she only slept about 30 minutes; she could not get comfortable because of her back pain. The medical staff is trying numerous things to help her - heat/cold packs, different meds, etc. She is getting PT every day and is now getting respiratory therapy to ensure that she does not get pneumonia from being in bed so much. She is working hard to sit up as much as possible and to walk a couple of times a day. She is a trooper!!

I feel like Linda is having to settle to be an inch-worm this week when she had rather be a foot-worm or a yard-worm. She is slowly making progress. The doctors believe she is at the point she should be given the double major surgery.


Linda's friend, Patti, will be with her Friday through Sunday with some other folks coming in intermittently to give her a break. I will travel to Tupelo on Saturday to check on Mom and visit with her. Linda and I both decided that it would be better not to tell Mom anything about what is going on since we are not sure how much she would understand and don't want to upset her in any way.

Please continue to pray that her back pain will dissipate and thank God for so many of our friends here who are supporting us directly this week by staying with Linda, making sure that I get some rest, and running errands for us.

Philippians 4:6 continues to be such a comfort to me: "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." He is faithful - I continue to be at peace.

Love,
Cindy"