10/16/2007 Better Day

Letter to friends and family- 10/16/07
The good news is that Leslie is feeling MUCH better today. The doctor removed the packing, and her nose is feeling almost as well as it did pre-operation. She's still very tired, because she hasn't slept much due to her sore throat, not being able to breathe, general discomfort etc... (all a result of the packing which is now out... HALLELUJAH) She is conversational and can even pick up and play with TJ now.Now, the bad news. The specialist at Mayo did find cancer in the portion of the tumor that was removed. Preliminarily, they say it is a very treatable kind of cancer, and does not appear to be "invasive", which means it is likely isolated in the tumor-- part of which remains in her sinus just above her left eye. Of course, there needs to be further testing, an MRI, etc... before we really know the full details. But the whole thing is quite scary for us. It's hard for someone to say out loud for the first time, "I have cancer." We're still processing it all, but are trying to stay positive and confident, trusting in our Father for healing and peace.Now, where do we go from here? Really, not much has changed. The surgery they described by which they're planning on removing the remaining tumor is basically the same surgery they described before they knew it was cancerous. On a bright note, the recovery should be much easier than the most recent series of events. The bad news is that it will involve an incision somewhere in her forehead. And perhaps a follow-up series of localized radiation. The biggest difference now is that we'll be working with the doctors and specialists at Loyola in Chicago, rather than the Midwest Ear Nose and Throat Consultants of Naperville (who, by the way, we recommend highly as excellent and compassionate caregivers).Those are the facts as we know them. Ask us how we're doing in a day or two. It's kind of hard to fathom or process right now, to be honest. Thanks for your continued prayer and support.Tyson