The roller coaster heads downward again

Thanks Amy for this great poster

If you were not able to understand the concept of the roller coaster ride, here is an example.

About three weeks ago, I got the results back from my most recent CT Scan. For the most part it was great news. There was some concern about a lymph node that had grown in size since the last scan. There did not seem to be much concern, so we considered it a good report - an upward swing.

Last week, I had a scheduled appointment with my original surgeon. I was asked to bring a copy of the CT Scan report so he could review it himself. He checked my surgical scars, reviewed the scan and checked inside my mouth where I was still having considerable pain.

It was determined that I needed additional surgery. They wanted to removed the enlarged lymph node, remove two nodules from the original surgery and take a biopsy of the gums and inner lip to see why there is lingering pain.

My surgery is scheduled for October 28. Fortunately, I can go home the same day, but the surgeon said there may be another round of chemotherapy after the surgery is completed.

Thus, the roller coaster. Just when we think we are riding high and headed toward the road to recovery, we are dealt another downward spin. We get used to it, sort of. It is always our hope, of course, to just get better and put it all behind us - never giving up. The disease, however, has a plan of its own.