Another update.
I can't thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers. I just came home to get a new change of clothers for my wife and I, check our answering machine and, of course, TBN. I can't express how grateful we are for all of your concern.
Here is the latest:
She has been diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph glands. I may have stated earlier that she has a large "mass" in her chest, and had about 1/2 liter of fluid in her chest when she was admitted to the pediatric ICU.
After several tests here's what the doctors have discovered.
Good News: She came through all the tests like a trooper and had the fluid drained from her chest. Total fluid drained has been almost 2 liters, but has become nothing more than a trickle and they expect to be able to remove the drainage tube tomorrow (Thursday). This tube is becoming irritating for her so it's removal will be comforting on several levels.
Good News: Spinal fluid shows no signs of the cancer cells. Spinal fluid will be treated with chemo-therapy as a precaution only.
Good News: We just got the official bone marrow test back today and there are less than 1% of these nasty cells in the bone marrow. (The doctor told us that "normal" healthy people would have the same count.)
Good News: A CT scan was done yesterday and was compared to the one taken when she was admitted. One of the doctors asked to review the two scans questioned our oncologist: "O.K....so you've already surgically removed some of this thing, right?" Well, the answer is no. It apparently has shrunk extensively with the initial doses of chemo-therapy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I know we've got a long road ahead of us, but we now have some real hope that our daughter has a great chance of beating this disease.
I know some of you reading this post might not believe in the power of prayer. For those of you who do, please continue to pray for her and our family. The prayers are working.
I need to get back to the hospital now, but I ask you to continue with your prayers and well wishes for our daughter.
My tears of fear of the unknown have now been replaced with tears of joy and wonderment of the combined power of all our prayers. When I think of how optimistic our outlook is now compared to the prognosis of just 4 days ago, well....even writing this, I can't find the words to express what I need to say.
Thank you all.
~Rick