Yet another day, another doctor, another plan down in the books!
- There is a second mass, a nodule, something. Not even picked up by the CT or PET on Monday. It is on the opposite side of his rectum, felt by the surgeon today during an exam. Not sure what it is??
- Yes, surgery will be in September. (The first week.) It has to be 6-8 weeks after the Chemo and Radiation stops.
- Because the tumor is so low down, saving his rectum is going to be very difficult. Bryan is practically promised a colostomy. Whether or not it will be temporary or permanent won't be decided until the surgeons (yes, there will be more than one) are in there.
- So, how can you pray?? Please, I am begging you .... Pray that they are able to rebuild, and he will not need a colostomy. Being only 27, and needing a colostomy for the rest of your life .. it's life changing. It's something we can't even wrap our minds around right now. So, please, please, please pray against it!!
- And lastly, Bryan will be celebrating his birthday in the OR. His port will be placed tomorrow, at 3:00 pm. (CST.)
(I will be working 7:00-12:00, coming home to pick up my hubby and back to work we go, except this time we are patients.)
That's all we know today.... every day is a different day, but God is always near.
Love you all.
PS.. Don't forget to wear blue tomorrow to support Colo-Rectal Cancer Awareness and celebrate Bryan's birthday!!! Tell your friends! And send us pictures! chelsey.wenger@yahoo.com
found you over on "april's mommy" blog. wow, i cannot imagine how you are feeling. i have friends that went through something similiar and i am going to give her your blog address. they are a young couple and know what it's like to face this.
ReplyDeleteyou are in my prayers.
Hi Brian and Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI am another stranger who came across your blog. Praying with you. I have Crohn's disease, and a colostomy is something that is always a possibility for me...as awful as the thought is, I know that if I were to need it, that God would be right there walking through it with me, and that what right now seems unthinkable would be okay. Over the past few years, my family has faced several very difficult medical diagnoses, some terminal and some life changing, and this is what I have learned: We always pray for healing, or the best possible medical outcome, if it is God's will. Unfortunately, these terrible problems with our bodies are sometimes part of our earthly life. I have learned to pray more for strength and peace to face those things that seem impossible. I pray for wisdom for the doctors. I pray that I will grow because of the trial, and that I will see how my loving Heavenly Father is using these experiences in my life and the lives of those around me. All of these things, along with a prayer for healing, are what I pray for you.
How scary it must be for you both right now. You are the same ages as my husband and I and well that is something I can't wrap my mind around handling right now. God is holding your hand and guiding you the whole way!!! Hold on tight and keep letting him lead!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Bryan-make the most out of each day. Prayers headed your way!!!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIn 2005, at the age of 43 I was diagnosed with the stage 3A rectal cancer. When found, my tumor was inoperable. I needed chemo and radiation to shrink it before surgery could be attempted. I was also promised a colostomy. My tumor was so low, it was easily felt during examinations.
Through the grace of GOD, chemo/radiation shrank the tumor from 9 centimeters to 1.5 centimeters and when they opened me up, it was not wrapped around any internal organs or attached to my backbone as they had feared. Twenty minutes into my surgery the surgeon decided he could put me back together and began hollering for different instrument trays.
Fast forward 4 years and while I still have a few challenges to live with, I AM ALIVE and all in one piece. Through GOD anything is possible!!
I will keep you in my prayers. In my experience, a positive mental attitude and peace of mind were so important during treatment.
Feel free to contact me if you like.
Terri
Hi Bryan & Chelsey,
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I read about your story on the April Rose blog. We were just talking about your blog this morning so I decided to post a comment. Last year at this exact time, my boyfriend, David, went thru a rectal cancer diagnosis, surgery and chemo/radiation treatment. A year later he is doing really well. Stay strong and know we are pulling for you guys down here in Texas!
Danyel & David
http://theadventuresofdavidanddanyel.blogspot.com
PS - I started a blog last May to keep our friends and family up to date on David's battle with rectal cancer. It really helped when we were too tired or he was too sick to take calls or have visitors. You will be so glad you started this blog...it is amazing to look back over the past year and see how far he has come.
Hi Bryan & Chelsey,
ReplyDeleteI also found you from April's mom's blog... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRYAN!! I will be praying for you in this difficult journey...
Leanne in GA
Oh wow! I'll definitely keep him in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI wished I would of read your blog last night so that I would know to wear blue. :(
You are though God is always near. <3