Trying to get my 6 month scans completed this time proved to be an insurance challenge involving many phone calls, emails and hours of work.  It was a little frustrating, but I did finally get them done.  The good news is that my brain and organs are all clear.  Unfortunately, a few of the lymph nodes we left in my right groin from my surgery in ‘17 (because 75% of patients go on to immunotherapy and don’t end up needing to have them removed) showed enlargement this time. "Yay me" for being in the 25% minority.  😏

It is most likely melanoma but to confirm, I will have a lymph node biopsy of one of the largest nodes & a PET scan (hopefully this week before our insurance switches over since we have already met our deductible on the current plan), followed by an outpatient surgery to remove the right groin nodes sometime soon. The treatment plan after that will be determined by the results of the scan and the pathology done on the removed nodes.  There could possibly some additional immunotherapy involved.  

Thank you in advance for your prayers.  Once I have a firm plan, I'll post more specifics, but for now:

Praise God for:

• The reminder that, like everything else in 2020 which has caught us all by surprise, this did NOT surprise God.
• Being able to have my recent scans at Huntsman (that was one of the insurance issues).
• Great doctors and specialists who identified the concerning lymph nodes.

Pray for:

• God's supernatural peace as we face this unknown, while trusting in a known and powerful God.
• The ability to schedule the biopsy and PET scan for this week so we can take advantage of our deductible.
• Wisdom making decisions and cooperation with the new insurance company (the new insurance will likely take me away from Huntsman for my care, however, my doctors will remain the same, just at a new facility).
• If it's God's will, that the lymph nodes would not actually contain cancer.  That would be an amazing miracle and I know if it's in His will, He can certainly do that!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:4-7

Always hopeful!