Endoscopy Results were NOT what we wanted.

So, I have been putting off this post for a couple days until we knew for certain, and today was the day.  Greg had to have the endoscopy because he was having problems swallowing.  As it turns out, the reason he is having trouble swallowing is because he has a mass in his esophagus.  On Friday, the doctor told us that he would be "surprised if it wasn't cancer."    He took biopsies and sent them to the pathologist.

Today, we got the results.   Based on the sections that were examined, he has esophageal cancer.  We don't know what stage yet or any other information.  That's because the mass is rather high in his esophagus, which makes it hard to get to with the traditional endoscope.  

Because we also don't know if it has metastasized (spread), he needs to have what is called a PET scan.   Cancer cells show up as bright spots on PET scans because they have a higher metabolic rate than do normal cells, so it's the best test to use to see if the cancer has spread.   PET Scan Info  Greg is scheduled to have the PET scan this Friday, March 31, 2017.   

The other test he needs to have done is similar to an endoscopy, but they will go through his nose, instead of throat.  That way, they will have a clearer view of the tumor and be better able to take more biopsies.  He's going to have that done on April 4th. 

We have an appointment with the oncologist for April 11th.  One day before the 17th anniversary of his Bone Marrow Transplant!  When we see the oncologist, he will have the results from the tests, and will discuss with us a plan of action.  Once we have that done, I will be in a much better place than I am right now.  I HATE not knowing!  Once we know what stage he's in and what we have to do to combat it, I will feel better and more confident. We've been through this before.  We can do it again.   

A little more background on this cancer.  Seventeen years ago, Greg had a bone marrow transplant for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (you can read all about it here:  Greg's Blog Starting in January, 2000 )  As part of his transplant, he had to have Total Body Irradiation (TBI).   Not only that, but about two years after his transplant (in 2002), he was diagnosed with something called Barretts Esophagus.  Unfortunately, between the TBI and Barretts Esophagus, he had little chance to avoid this diagnosis.  

Greg was originally diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma on Holy Thursday in 1992.  Aaron was just a year old at the time, and of course, neither of the girls were born yet.  After the chemo he went through, they are my miracle babies!   Greg was in remission for six years, and we found out his cancer had returned in November, 1998.  He went through two years of chemo, trying to destroy the cancer, which didn't work.  Our only option at that point was a Bone Marrow Transplant.   Greg's brother, Tom, was a perfect match for him.  The link goes to Tom's harvest page on Greg's blog.  

So, that's where we're at right now.  Your prayers will, of course, be appreciated.