Diagnosis Part I

Dear friends and family,

The neuro-oncology team met with us today and explained that Zoe may have a form of cancer that no one has ever seen in the brain, and that further testing is needed to confirm their proposed diagnosis. They will collaborate with world experts to both confirm that diagnosis and to create the first treatment plan of perhaps several plans (we say, “first treatment plan” since they have never treated anyone with this type of brain tumor and Zoe’s “plan” will have to be developed as we go).

The type of cancer they think this is is typically found in the breast, lung, or salivary gland. Since Zoe’s tumor was found in the brain, Zoe will undergo a PET scan to see if there are tumors anywhere else in her body. When this type of cancer has been treated in other patients, some people do survive. The proven treatment for this cancer in the lung may not be effective against this cancer in the brain, however, so the team is still researching how they should best treat Zoe’s cancer.

Our current focus is on Zoe’s daily post-operative recovery. She is unable to leave the hospital until her brain is able to predictably regulate her urine output. Since her surgery, we have had to measure all that she drinks, measure her urine, measure the urine’s sodium content, and figure out how much of which drug is necessary at what intervals. It’s a shame one of us is not an endocrinologist since that is what is needed to bring her home. As you can imagine, we would love to be home as a family and nurture Zoe and Cam (three weeks old today!) here as soon as possible.

Please pray on our behalf as sleep deprivation, shock, logistics management, and our attention on two little, vulnerable children consumes us to such a point that all we can do is rest in Him. Sometimes no words come to us, but the Holy Spirit prays on our behalf, and we trust you are, too.

On a very personal note, I am deeply grateful to the Lord for giving me you, my faith community. You are a powerful vehicle of strength for me. You have exercised divine grace as you have loved my family through this experience. Thank you for offering yourselves so freely to us to support us moment by moment.

Love,
Catherine and David