Not so good update

It's been forever since I'd posted. Things were moving forward. We were comfortable with our new way of being and James was regaining strength. They sent us to physical therapy to deal with neck pain assuming it was muscle related and began working towards voice with prosthesis. Then....

We had the follow-up PET scan. There are two spots of concern. One at the left upper paratracheal lymph node and the other they'd noted at the left tonsil but the surgeon believes it to be behind the tonsil either lymph or muscle related. The surgeon believes this is the cause of the severe neck pain.

We've had a day surgery biopsy of the paratracheal lymph last week and also an MRI of head, neck, orbit of eyes as another new symptom may have something to do with his eyes. From what they'd told us the PET scan isn't the best for the head in general because the entire thing lights up due to activity hence the follow-up MRI.

We see the radiation oncologist tomorrow who will hopefully have results of the two tests for us. We're stressed. James is extremely anxious. I've told family and a few others on an as needed basis but am holding off on any social media update until we have more information. I thought this may be a good way to lightly get the word out to folks who may be keeping an eye on the blog specifically for James info.

Beyond all the bad news we did manage to get away to a family cabin for James' 55th birthday in late August. The weather was nice and he got a little fishing in. I'd love to get him back up there if we can before the weather cools. It was amazing to see how much more relaxed he was enjoying the outdoors, river, walking the trails and fishing. Maybe it'll be doable, there's still time....

Sending love to you all and thank you for thinking of us. xxoo Beth & James