2nd appointment with the Oncologist to review test results...

Great news today! We are feeling overwhelmed with thankfulness.

The PET scan was "perfectly normal"! There are two lymph nodes that are of concern. The larger one is showing absolutely no sign of cancer. The other is swollen but too small to be able to tell if there's anything happening there.

The doctor explained that there are 3 options: Observation, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

The difficulty is that there are different degrees of treatment for different stages of cancer. If given the lower dose, we could be "under-treating" that lymph node that's possibly a problem. If we get the higher dose, I would possibly be going through a lot of rough side effects for something that may never have actually been a problem.

My oncologist, Dr. Zehngebot (Dr. Z), consulted with his partner (Not life partner but his medical partner) and - this is pretty neat - Dr. Lawrence H. Einhorn, deemed the "World's Foremost Expert on Testicular Cancer" primarily for his role in pioneering the treatment that brought Lance Armstrong to health. They all agreed that the most logical step at this point is Observation. I will get another CT scan in 2 months and meet with Dr. Z after that. The scan will be of my chest, abdomen and pelvis to make sure nothing new is developing, but specifically it will be used to measure any changes in the smaller lymph node mentioned earlier.

We are obviously very relieved! I'm still hesitant to fully let down my guard and be completely convinced that all is well. I guess we'll get more clarity in 2 months, but for now let's move forward with this wonderful life!!!

Thanks for reading this! Thank you for your prayers! We truly appreciate our friends who've helped in many different ways, from heavy conversations to just-checking-in conversations, from covering my business while I heal up from surgery to watching the kids for us to get to appointments, from tasty lasagnas to the endless one nut jokes. (If you are offended by the word "nut", please subsititute it with "testicle" or "teste", but not "baby maker" or "motivation center" or "old lefty" or "masculinity nugget" or "raw man power hub". I will do my best to maintain a certain level of tastefulness, but at some point we all have to be able to look each other right in the eye while wearing a nice sport coat and say, "I know Jason Scarborough and he had nut cancer" like we're all adults at Ruth's Chris Steak House. Thank you.)

We are very blessed that God answers prayer. There may be a time in the future that we're dealing with much more than we are now (and God would still be sovereign in that situation also), but as for today, we have a lot to celebrate!

Late Update!

I'm sorry everybody - it's been a very, very full week of work... this is a late update!

The Oncologist called and said that he still was not convinced there was any cancer spreading in my body. He wanted me to get a PET/CT scan done Monday, 11/3, and have another appointment with him to review results and discuss treatment tomorrow, Friday, 11/7.

That's great news! The appointment is at 230. I promise to post an update after that. It will be a pretty significant one.

Thank you for your prayers!

First meeting with the Oncologist

Well, great unexpected news today. Absolutely great. Absolutely unexpected.

The doctor said he's not 100% confident that I have cancer anywhere else in my body.

What?!?!?

He said that the swelling of the lymph nodes in my abdomen and pelvis is so little that he's not 100% confident that cancer has spread anywhere in my body. He gave the testicular cancer a Stage 1 Seminoma rating - the Stage 1 part describes how far it's spread and he said it's not unreasonable to think that it was all contained in the testicle that was removed. The Seminoma part, as explained in an earlier post, is the most treatable, most common, least aggressive of the cancers.

What?!?!?! Sheli and I could not believe what we were hearing!

He continued to say that the nodule on my lung was completely uncharacteristic of how this testicular cancer would have spread through my lymphatic system into my lungs. When testicular cancer reaches the lung, it looks like small dots all over the lung. My nodule is on the outside of the lung and he said it would be very possible that it's scar tissue from a bad cold. We told him how I had a severe bout with pneumonia when I was very young and he said that is very likely the reason for this small blemish. He was not concerned about it at all. Not to mention that I'll be under close watch for a long time so any growth or spread of this nodule would be quickly caught.

What?!?!??! Still, we can't believe this!

He said that before discussing any treatment, he'd like to take some time to think about this case. He wanted to see the scan himself and put our case in front of other experts to get their feedback and draw a consensus. He said that because of the type of cancer and lack of major signs of spreading, we had time to evaluate the scans and my situation more closely and make a better determination for treatment. His conclusion was that there will be chemotherapy in my future. How much and how strong was to be determined. If the consensus is that this is not cancer spreading throughout my lymphatic system, there will only be one round of chemotherapy that will likely be fairly well tolerated. This would mean only 5 days of being "down and out". If the consensus is that this is cancer spreading throughout my lymphatic system, then there will be three rounds of full-blown chemotherapy that will last about 3 months total.

What?!?

So, we're blown away again! This is better news than we could have imagined. It's not the treatments I'm concerned about nearly as much as it is the chance of a recurrence. If all of the cancer was removed with the testicle and they cover their bases with one 5 day round of chemo, then, are we all done? Sheli and I were ready for the worst news, not this! I was ready for the worst case scenario to be 6 months of hard chemo and maybe even surgery, but not 3 months of chemo for a worst case! Again, we were blown away.

We have an appointment again next Friday to talk again. He said he might call us on Monday with some answers. I can't believe this is where we were at. We were so prepared for alot worse.

Needless to say, thank you for your prayers! It's obviously helping! I'm constantly reminded that it could've been a much, much worse situation and with this news it's only getting better!

Please pray for:
- A continued growth in perspective
- That I wouldn't miss out on anything God can teach me from all of this
- Healing of my physical body
- Wisdom in decision making for the business once a plan is reached

Praise for:
- A continued growth in perspective
- Having an amazing partner in Sheli through all of this. She's my best friend to the core.
- Unbelievable news

Thank you for sticking by us through this. I can't believe I'm actually blogging - I much rather just make fun of blogging, but it's turning out to be a very useful tool. If there's anything anyone would like to know or info I should include, please let me kow.

Thank you for praying for us!
- Great friends and family who continue to shoulder the load with their help

Results from Pathology

Well friends, this Tuesday (October 21) we received the results from the Pathology tests on the testicle and it's definitely cancer. Basically, cancer has two major categories; seminoma which is the more common, easier to cure cancer and non-seminoma which is made up of the less common, more difficult to cure cancers.

My cancer is either a "high risk" stage 1 seminoma or a stage 2 seminoma. The staging part of the classification, as I understand it, is the label given to how much the cancer has spread. Again, I have swollen lymph nodes in my pelvis and abdomen and a small nodule in my left lung. The swollen lymph nodes are very indicative that the cancer is just starting to spread. The treatement will approach the lymph nodes as if they are cancerous, just to play it safe.

The swollen nodule in my left lung could be scar tissue from a bad cold, a common mass from living in a city or the beginning of cancer there too. The doctor wasn't overly concerned that is was cancerous because it wasn't in the normal path of how testicular cancer in this stage would appear. The Urologists thoughts on how this would be treated were that if it responds to the treatment (radiation, chemo or a combination) it is obviously cancer or if it doesn't respond they'll just keep a close watch on it to make sure it's not growing. After treatment I will be undergoing alot of observation - CT scans, etc - for a few years to make sure everything is taken care of. Watching this lung "thing" will be a part of that observation.

The Urologist that I've been going to and who did the surgery referred me to an Oncologist (cancer doctor) for further care. It's the same Oncologist that was referred to me by Cathy Brennan. Her daughter, Meghan, has been under his care and they both said he's great. We're very thankful for this great referral. Also, Meghan Brennan is awesome. She's been a huge blessing to us in all of this and we haven't even sat with her face to face yet!

The Oncology appointment was set for next Friday but we were bumped forward to tomorrow. I'm excited, Sheli's anxious. I say, "Let's get this thing started so we can get this thing ended". Sheli says, "Oh, Lord, help us through this. Why is my crazy husband excited?" Lady, it's because we were given a 95% of curing this thing! I will never forget the feelings and thoughts of what could have been. I'll take 95% any day! So, fire up the chemo-cauldron and let's get this started (I have to get myself pumped up for this kind of thing. I'm sure my chemo smack talk will tone down a great deal once I get into it).

What to pray for:
- that I will not miss out on the life-changing perspective gained from hearing, "You've got cancer". I do not want to miss out on a single bit that I can learn from this. More about this to come in some other future update.
- Obviously, that this will be cured and I'll be cancer-free.
- For peace. We have experienced some peace in all of this. A lot of it comes from hearing 95%. A lot of it is a weird "break" that my anxieties take because I know God loves my family enough to take great care of them even if I fall in the 5%. A lot of it comes from knowing that somebody's daddy and husband never heard the 95% but heard a much worse diagnosis... I must do my best to control my anxiety because I've been blessed.
- The business. I'm the Director of Marketing (I made the business cards), Operations Manager (I deal with potential problems) and Head Technician (only technician). Sheli is the Director of Everything Else and General Manager of Actual Important Business Dealings. We've had amazing friends hop in to cover scheduled jobs since I've been healing up from the operation. What a blessing (much more needs to be said about this... see "things to be thankful for")! I'll be able to work on Monday. Because I scuba dive pools everyday, the incision has to stay dry until it's completely healed. I've ordered a dry-suit that will be here tomorrow before 10, so look out Monday! Please pray that the treatment will allow time where I'm feeling well enough to work. I've heard that both radiation and chemo can sometimes be tolerated pretty well so there's some hope that it will work out. If not, we have no plan at this point. After tomorrow, we'll be better equipped with information to develop a plan.

What to be thankful for:
- amazing friends who cover for me while I'm healing. Thank you, Aaron and Rob for taking the concept of "community" as far as I've ever seen it taken. You must understand that if I don't work, we don't make money, period. Aaron and Rob are friends who own a pool leak detection business in Venice Fl. Last week, Aaron busted his tail to cover jobs for he and Rob in Venice while Rob made the sacrifice of leaving his family to come up here and cover jobs for me. This week Rob covered the Venice jobs while Aaron left his family to cover jobs at my business. Unbelievable. Not having these jobs covered would cause huge short-term problems for my family financially. The long-term problems would be even greater as we'd lose the huge grasp we have on the Central Florida market if word got around that we just never showed up. Our competition would gain a foothold I could not compete with. Aaron, Rob, Julia and Rebecca - your sacrifice is ridiculous. People don't love people like you've loved my family and I. It's uncommon and a blessing. My words just sound stupid compared to what you've done. Thank you so much. Steve, thank you for your work also. I'm thankful you love the job - I do too!
- I'm thankful for Adam. We don't say I love you very often and I'm not going to start here.
- I'm thankful for Shar-De and Eddie who've helped us stay sane with the business. Shar-De, you're always lovely and professional. We need you on the frontline. Thank you for improvising when we've been unavailable. Eddie, God's timing is ridiculous. Imagine my crazy mind running aloof with the big C word delivered on a silver platter. I'd have lost it. Your company and help with jobs has been a huge blessing. I'm looking forward to work next week.
- Thank you friends. We've had amazing friends come alongside of us and help carry the weight.

There will be an update to follow tomorrow's appointment with the Oncologist.

Thank you for loving us.

Firsts, Part 2

More photos of "firsts" since I've had just one testicle:

My first photograph with Cooper riding a miniature pony since I've had one testicle

My first side-hug with my friends Amy and Andrew Rogers since I've had one testicle

My first side-hug with my friend Mac Roger since I've had one testicle

My first side-hug with a balloon bending clown since I've had one testicle

One Testicle Firsts

This is a list of photographs I've taken of "firsts" I've done since having one testicle:

The first side-hug of my friend Meredith since I've had one testicle

The first side-hug on my friend Chris Storms since I've had one testicle

The first side-hug of my friend Anne Storms since I've had one testicle

The first side-hug of my friend Ame See since I've had one testicle

The first Swedish fish I've eaten while playing with Emily Storms' toy since I've had one testicle

The first side-hug with Sarah Huaman since I've had one testicle

My first side-hug with Mark Huaman since I've had one testicle

My first side-hug with newborn Scarlett Huaman since I've had one testicle
My first side-hug with Winter Springs Young Life leader Sarah Heiberg since I've had one testicle
My first side-hug with Winter Springs Young Life leader Jesi Shearhod since I've had one testicle
The first side-hug with Winter Springs Young Life leader Jim Traynor since I've had one testicle

The Day After Surgery

Thank you for your prayers!

The testicle is gone. I'm in mild pain, mostly just soreness. I think that most of the pain is my male ego already missing that trusty side-kick, "old lefty", as I used to call him. They gave me some good meds and I've got great support (not my underwear, you sicko. My family and friends)... I'll be fine.

The CT scan results came in and as the doctor said, "not perfect, but not terrible". Basically there are a few lymph nodes in my abdomen and one in my lung that are swollen. This is the very, very initial sign of cancer spreading. The doctor emphasized that we are catching this very early. They sent the testicle to Pathology for testing. We have an appointment with the Urologist on Tuesday to review the results and check the progress of healing from the surgery.

The Pathology results will help determine our path of action. My understanding was that the Urologist will be meeting with a board of other doctors - surgeons, Oncologists, etc - to review this case and determine a plan of action. The options are radiation, chemo and surgery, or a combination of these.

The good news: 95 - 98% survival rate! That's great news when you consider what could have been. Obviously we wanted a completely clear CT scan, but we feel very blessed at what we are looking at. NOT full blown cancer in a major organ. I'll take our situation any time over what could have been.

So how are we doing? Very, very well. If the results couldn't be perfect, we're so thankful for what they were. Our odds are a blessing. I will never forget the feeling of sitting in the ER on Saturday AM and having the doctor tell me they found a large tumor. My mind raced to all the horrible things - the kids not having a daddy, not getting to live life with my wonderful lady, the three of them not having any thing to live on because we have no life insurance, etc. Today, we are looking at a 95 - 98%. I'll gladly take that.

Big thank yous to Rob Angelo and Aaron Reynolds. They're helping cover my jobs so the business stays afloat while I'm out. We would literally fall apart financially if Aaron and Rob wouldn't have offered to help out.

Thank you Shar-De Perkins for your coordinating jobs so they work for Aaron and Rob. Your leadership in our office and ability to improvise is appreciated more than you know.

I know you'll never read this, but thank you Dr. Armstead (my bff) for giving Sheli and I information and perspective from a doctor that was very encouraging. You shed alot of hope and clear-headedness into a very scary and blurry situation. You're my boy.

Thank you to the Mystery Person that dropped off an envelope with some cash. You're very generous and we had a good laugh over your note.

Please pray for the results from the Pathology lab. Please also pray for wisdom with the business - that Aaron and Rob could get jobs done in Orlando but still be able to get home to Venice to be with their families... and that they wouldn't get burned out.

We appreciate whoever is reading this and your prayers.

Bye, Bye Teste. Hello results.

Surgery to have the teste removed at 530 tonight. They'll send it to the Pathology lab for testing. We'll have results from the CT scan when we see the doctor. We have to be there at 330 so hopefully we'll hear something sooner rather than later. Please pray for the CT results. The surgery sounds pretty simple. It's one hour long and I get to come home tonight around 11. Not too bad.

Thank you for your prayers.

Testicular Troubles

Hello friends, some of you may know this already. Saturday, October 11, I woke up with a painful and swollen left testicle. I went to the ER and they found a large growth on it. They took some blood (not from the testicle) and scheduled me to meet with a Urologist.

I met with the Urologist today. He said there are 3 things they look for in the blood samples that can be indicative of cancer spreading throughout the body. At this point we still don't know if the tumor is cancerous, though it is likely. More on that later. The doctor told us that blood work came back clear of any indication of cancer. That is VERY encouraging. To date, this situation is as good as it can be.

The Urologist said the testicle has a 90% chance that it is cancerous. We're praying that it is the 10% that is not cancer. Why not? There's a one in ten chance that we're not dealing with cancer here. Please pray that with us.

To better rule out cancer, the doctor scheduled me for a CT scan tomorrow (Tuesday, 10/14) at 8 am. The CT scan will give us a more definitive determination if there's anything suspect in any other major organs. We will get the results from the CT scan when we talk to the doctor on Wednesday night at my appointment to have the testicle removed.

Please pray for the results of this CT scan. The hope is that the cancer, if there is cancer, is only in the tumor and not anywhere else in my body. Again, we'll know this Wednesday night.

The testicle will be sent to the Pathology lab for testing. Results from pathology together with results from the CT scan will dictate the next steps for us!

Please pray for:
- CT scan results
- Tumor to not be cancerous
- Sheli and I's perspective and anxiety
- That I would get exactly what God wants me to get out of this

As for us, this is obviously shocking, but hopeful. I went to bed that Saturday with a very, very dull pain in the testicle not even worth mentioning and woke up with what may be cancer. I've learned that life can change in one minute. I've learned that every minute is a blessing. I'm only a few hours into what could be a long ride and the mere thoughts of what could be ahead have created an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for each moment with my family and friends. That is all for tonight. We appreciate your prayers. Thanks for reading. We appreciate you.

Cooper's First Soccer Game

These pictures are posting backwards...but you get the idea :)
Cooper and Bodie had such a fun time!