We had airfare for Utah for 11/30-12/4 for the Mills Family Christmas Party and figured we might as well see Dr. Bull (Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon at University of Utah) while we were there.
We left OKC, OK at 6:50am.
and flew into SLC, UT at 9:50am and the appointment was set for 11:00am. Anthony's parents picked us up from the airport and we headed to the medical center. Dr. Bull talked with Anthony for a while, and suggested he have a biopsy... which was weird because he's previously told us not to get a biopsy. Turns out, he just wanted the procedure done where there was more equipment and what not... and he didn't want anyone else to touch it. The nurses asked our availability for the following two days in an effort to schedule a biopsy and sent us to the lab for blood work while they figured out schedules.
At 12:45, waiting for Anthony's turn in the lab, the nurse told us they figured a biopsy day and time... 2:00 that same day. Tender mercy? Anthony was so nervous going into the biopsy, as it was a CT guided biopsy and he would be AWAKE while and gigantic needle was shoved into his chest.
The big needle was the size of 3 IV needles together, then a smaller needle was inserted into that needle and bits of the tumor were removed and sucked up the smaller needle. Luckily they had him pretty doped up and he didn't remember much of the procedure, other than the popping noises when parts of the biopsy were taken.
They didn't let me watch the procedure, but I was able to be with Anthony right when he got out.
That's iodine, not blood.
The phone rang as we were walking out and it was Dr. Neumayer, Dr. Bull's wife who works at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She was calling to check on Anthony and talk with him about how he was feeling, how the procedure went and what not. Up in recovery Dr. Neumayer stopped by to see how Anthony was feeling. She also said that one of Anthony's scans during the procedure looked like the needle was going straight into his heart, as the tumor was positioned behind his heart where it was not seen. After Anthony's meds had worn off we left the hospital and awaited news. He was pretty loopy and didn't remember much of the hour in the recovery area.
We were at the hospital for nearly nine hours.
On 12/6 Dr. Bull called Anthony telling him the biopsy results were in. Anthony has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Of all the cancers to have, this is definitely the best one as it has one of the highest survival rates. Anthony will need to start chemotherapy and radiation soon, and we have decided to stay in Oklahoma as there is a cancer center in Oklahoma City, about 30 minutes away.
Anthony has good days and bad days. His cough picks up a lot in the evening and he has a hard time sleeping quite frequently and most often sleeps on one of the chairs in the living room as he can not lay flat much of the time.
I wish I knew what to do for him.
Another tender mercy, open enrollment to make changes to my insurance was 12/8. I was able to add Anthony, so now he has his not-so-great insurance through OU, and whatever coverage he gets through my insurance.
We're still waiting to hear back from some oncologists in OKC, and after finals this coming week Anthony is hoping to start Chemo...
