I was able to get the PET scan completed Friday and the biopsy on Tuesday.  Both procedures were uneventful and I continue to praise God for the excellent care from the wonderful professionals at Huntsman.  

Insurance seems to be going smoothly, but I'm not holding my breath because snags don't usually show up until it's time to pay the hospital bill. Ha ha! One unexpected praise is that we have been put in touch with a wonderful care coordinator from our new insurance company.  Sara has been an oncology nurse for many years.  We spoke with her yesterday and it seems like she might be a direct line to gets some answers to a lot of the insurance questions we may have.  The idea of not having to suffer through the "voice-jail" system of the insurance company every time we have a questions is an unexpected blessing.  Yay God for giving us more than we asked of Him!

Ok, on to the diagnosis details.  We are still waiting on biopsy results, but the PET scan confirmed that there is no activity in any of my organs.  However, it definitely showed the right groin lymph nodes “lighting up” which means they are cancerous.  It also showed some nodes in my chest and abdomen which are not enlarged but are “lighting up”.  What that means for me in terms of treatment is some kind of immunotherapy and possibly surgery down the road (in the next 3-9 months), depending on how I respond to the immunotherapy.  They first need to confirm that it actually is melanoma (from the biopsy) and then we can begin that treatment.  So, it's good news and bad news, but I think it's mostly good (my head says no surgery right now is really, really good) and the bad news is not surprising.  😊

There is a slight chance my diagnosis is not melanoma.  Lymphoma presents itself similarly to what they are seeing in my PET scan.  That would be unlikely, since the largest activity appears to be in my right groin where my original melanoma was found.  However, it is a possibility.  

I am scheduled to see the Melanoma medical oncologist on Wednesday as long as they have my biopsy results, and it is indeed melanoma.  We will hear the full plan then.

Praise God for:

• Sara, my insurance Care Coordinator
• Smooth insurance transition
• Excellent care at Huntsman
• Prayers and support from so many wonderful family and friends
• God's abundant peace and the Scripture He has been bringing to mind and sending me through family and friends.
• Several nights of good sleep

Pray for:

• A final diagnosis that is according to God's will.
• God's continued peace.
• Wisdom for Dr. Grossmann as he makes recommendations for my immunotherapy treatment.
• If it's God's will, that God would eradicate every cancer cell.
• That God would be glorified in everything that is going on.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

~Ephesians 3:20-21

I can't thank you all enough for your love, encouragement and prayers.  You are all a blessing to our whole family!