If planning a wedding and being within 60 days of the big day isn't stressful enough for any bride... or the final 20 days of school with IEPs to finish, evaluations to complete, progress reports to update, folders to organize, rooms to pack/move/clean isn't stressful enough for any teacher... or looking for a job (for yourself or your significant other) isn't stressful enough for any unemployed person... or having a close friend or family member deploy (or redeploy) to the Middle East isn't stressful enough... we find out that my mom's mom (my Grandma Austin) is no longer in remission from cancer. What a wonderful time in my life right now! If I happen to spontaneously burst into tears, you will understand hopefully...
Grandma had been in remission from renal cancer since 2004. She was diagnosed in the Fall of 2002 with late stage 5 renal cancer, one the doctors didn't think she would fully recover even with radiation and chemo... by Spring of 2004 the Oncologists announced that she was in remission... and has stayed that way until this year...
My mom noticed that Grandma hadn't wanted to make her annual "cancer doctor" appointment in January and that she had been complaining about various ailments that were out of the ordinary for her. Mom FINALLY broke down and made the doctors appointment for her mom... only to find out that the doctor had some SERIOUS concerns and he wanted Grandma to complete a CT/PT scan, a visit with the "cancer doctor" and an appointment with the OB-GYN for more tests... all were scheduled last week for the next few weeks (one a week for 3 weeks).
Today was Grandma's CT/PT scan (not sure which she had) in the morning. By the time they were finished with the scan, the doctor's office was calling mom asking them to come into his office that afternoon. My dad met my mom and grandma at the doctor's office this afternoon to get the first round of news. The scan showed renal cysts (doctor isn't worried about these), some diverticulitis (not concerned either since it isn't inflammed), and uteran cysts (very concerned). Not to mention her blood pressure has been higher than the doctor would like and her blood work showed high CSA's (an indicator of the presence of cancer). Her OB appointment has been changed from 2 weeks from today to Friday- well woman appointment has turned into an appointment complete with a biopsy and other tests... Cancer doctor appointment is next Tuesday.
Please keep my mom and grandma in your thoughts and prayers as they re-embark upon this voyage again...
