We finally heard something from Duke today. This might be confusing, so I apologize in advance...
The lymphoma is still present in Tricia's lungs, which we have known. The new mass around the lymph node in her chest (as I described in This Post) does not appear to be lymphoma. It does appear that it is an infection caused by a bacteria.
An infection is much better news than spreading cancer, but it is an infection none-the-less, which means Tricia will be on antibiotics for the next 30 days. This certain bacteria is something that Tricia has dealt with in the past with her CF lungs, so, at least, we know what we're dealing with. Because of her compromised immune system, this infection has grown faster than it would have normally. We'll know in a month if the meds are taking care of the infection. The bacteria (which wouldn't be an issue in a normally healthy body), however, could be more difficult to get out of Tricia's lungs.
We'll be heading back to Duke next week to meet, separately, with the transplant team and the cancer team. We've yet to hear any news about the next suggested treatment for the lymphoma that seems to have grown in Tricia lungs.
The good news is, over the past few weeks, Tricia has been feeling better than she has since starting the chemo four months ago. We've been taking advantage of this, knowing that this might be the last time she feels this good for a while as we're assuming that the next round of treatment will be the toughest yet. I've been spending all of my extra time with my girls, and we've taken advantage of any nice weather to have some fun.
Also, the closing on the house was bumped back again...we're told, "it will hopefully happen by the end of the week."
Thanks for your continued prayer. As always, we trust that God knows our future and wants the best for us, even when it doesn't feel that way.
Nate
95 comments:
Thanks for the update - I must admit I have been checking all day.
I am glad to hear the mass is not cancer, sorry to hear it is an infection. But as you say, that is the lesser of two evils.
I imagine with all of your various appointments coming up, you are anxious to close on your house. I wish that could have occurred today as you had hoped.
As always, I am praying for you and your family.
God Bless
Yippee! I was first! :)
Thanks for the update. Been worried about Tricia! You guys have a good time together...hope you have a few good days this week!
Praying for you as always!
We've been up in the USA for the past week, and will you believe it, while we have good internet down here in our little Mexican town, we had no service up north! :)
I kept you all, especially Tric, in my prayers each day. I'm sure you are happier than anyone to have heard back from Duke and while an infection isn't good news, I'm glad the mass wasn't more cancer.
I'll pray the Lord will heal the infection quickly and that you will have many more wonderful days ahead as you continue to make blessed memories as a family.
love,
Jaynee
I've been eager to hear the news as well. I've only commented a couple of times, even though I'm a regular reader. All of you have been on my mind and in my prayers and will continue to be.
We continue to hold you all in our hearts and prayers on the next part of this journey of yours. I still believe that a miracle can happen. Tell Tricia she is amazing and you all are and we will pray, pray, pray!
Tricia M.
thanks for the update. . . i too have been checking back all day.
so glad that you have had some time to enjoy the sunshine in the middle of the storm. blessings to you as you become homeonwners and embark on your continued journey. praying for you all!
Keeping you in my thoughts!
So glad to have an update. Hope you are able to get out as much as possible and enjoy each other while everyone is feeling good.
Thinking of your family often!
We're still praying for you guys. Thanks for sharing the update of what's going on.
Thanks for the update. Praying for you all. Keep trusting in Him.
We will continue to pray. Glad Tricia is feeling better...
So glad to hear that her cancer has not spread more. I've been checking back daily. Praying so much for you guys.
praying for your entire family. And your house!
May I post a link to your blog on my site? It will be in the "blogs I read" section. Please let me know if this is a problem.
Suzanne
Alwaysours.blogspot.com
---pray for kyah-- kyahsjourney.livejournal.com
Still following (mostly quietly) your blog everyday, and praying even more often....and I will continue to do so. Even though I don't comment on every post, I read them all and pray for the three of you constantly. Thank you for this update; I will continue to be on my knees for all of you.
Praying still!
Glad to hear some slightly-better news. What bacteria is she growing?
so great to hear an update and be able to continue praying for you guys. Love you all so much and hope you get to keep enjoying many bright and happy days.
love j
I normally follow along quietly, but wanted to send you a prayer tonight. I pray that God would grant you great mercy and that he would heal your wife's body completely. I pray for continued strength for you as a husband and father and that Jesus would make His presence known to you continually.
Please know that people are praying for you...people you probably won't meet until we are in His presence. You are an example to many who follow your blog. I pray God gives His strength to you continually and that you know that you are loved.
Thanks for the update!
Thanks for the update! Continuing to pray...
Glad to hear that it came back as an infection instead of a spreading mass! You are in our prayers always!!
hugs thoughts and prayers!!!!!!
Nate,
I must say you must be the second best husband in the world, (sorry my man still is the best). Tricia is lucky to have you.
I am amazed at how you are so upbeat...I know what you do behind the blog is a different story, and you only share with us what you feel comfortable, but...you give new meaning to the words "Praise Him in everything", and it puts my life in perspective.
Thank you for sharing your story with us...and thank you for using this path as a lesson to us all.
Thanks for the update, Nate. Been checking in...Glad Tricia has been feeling better and ya'll have been having good family time together...Sweet Gwyneth is getting so big!!!! Praying peace for you and knowledge for the doctors as they decide on the right treatment for Tricia. Also, Praying Tricia's side effects will be minimal...
thank you for the update. will continue to pray - for healing for the infection and for the rest of the results to be good.
so glad you are getting lots of time together as a family.
I'm pretty much certain that everything will turn out okay. I think you guys have overcome far too many obstacles already for this to be a deal-breaker. You're fighters, and you're good ones. I have faith in you and your family.
*hugs*
Well, it sounds like it is a bit of good news mixed with the still unknown. I'm glad Tricia has been feeling better and you've had time to enjoy family time. I know you must be anxious to find out the next step, I think we all are out here in your blogging world!! Hope the house closing happens soon and at least one more unknown will finally be dealt with! Thank you for the update..I'll stop hitting your blog every 2 hours :-)
Thanks for the update. I am so happy to hear that the cancer hasn't spread. Praise God.
Praying that the doctor's have wisdom about the next treatment plans... and that you get to close on the house this week!
I'm so happy for the great news!!!! I know an infection is a drag but I'm so thankful that the cancer has not spread!! I'll be praying for ya'll as you wait to find out where to go from here!! Also, for patience as you await your house closing! I know you must be ready to get that done!!!!
Emily in Mississippi
So good to finally have some answers, even if not everything, yet. Already praying for God to enhance that action of the antibiotic to wipe out that bacteria! Enjoy the fun days you are having...and hold tight to that hope that is in you!
continued prayers for a complete healing.
We too have been checking in for news. Praying big time for good news and a successful treatment.
SO SO Happy to hear that the new mass is not the cancer spreading and I'll pray that the 30 days of antibiotics will clear it up...I dont know much about it but God knows and thats all the matters : )
Good Luck at the appts with the Transplant and Cancer Doctors and even more Prayers that you'll get into your house soon...Enjoy your Girls.
I am sooo glad to hear the lymph node area is not cancerous. An infection can be tough, but Tricia has proven she can fight those nasty things off. My thoughts and prayers are with your family as you continue to move forward in your adventures.
Prayers for many good days and for a good outcome to meetings with the transplant and oncology teams.
I'm thankful that the three of you have had some good time together the past few days and weeks, without the intrusion of chemotherapy. I cautiously think that I am thankful that the mass was bacterial related as I think it will be easier to conquer than the stinky lymphoma which can hopefully stay in the lungs and not go anywhere else. I so hoped to see a picture tonight of the three of you putting the key in the lock of your new house--I'm sure you hoped that, too. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the closing will happen soon, soon, soon!
I am standing with you guys!!!! Keep telling yourself the truth that God is for you and not against you! He has new mercy for today, for tomorrow, and each day after that!!!
I've been checking every day, I'm so glad it isn't a giant nasty tumor. Bacteria suck too, but at least they are more predictable treatment wise.
I pray they find the right med for Tricia's lymphoma, and that whatever it is, it doesn't make her sick again.
Right now, revel in her feeling better, your baby, and your soon-to-be new house!
So glad to hear some good news. Or at least better news then anticipated. Continued prayers for all of you.
Argh on the delayed closing! Goodness! I will admit, I am another who has checked many times to see if Duke had given you an update!
I am glad we (and I mean WE) have an answer as to what was going on. I am glad in a way that Trisha has dealt with this bacteria before, and has obviously conquered it!
This is a beginning. I know it in my heart. Our prayers work. I have known the power of prayer. I am alive because of it. Our family will continue to pray for yours, with maybe a few prayers for our St. Louis Cardinals added as a P.S. if you don't mind. It looks as if Ankiel is going to be open. Whoof. Baseball. Whaddya gonna do?
I am glad that you finally got some news. I have been praying for you. I hope that the house closing happens soon. I know that waiting for that can be really stressful.
Praying for Tricia and you. I'm happy to hear you are spending some wonderful time together, and am praying for renewed health and strength.
Many prayers coming to all of you. The house closing will be in God's time as you well know. Please enjoy the wonderful time you have with your Gurls. They are the precious ones that God has given you and you guys are AWESOME together.
Tricia praying for healing soon.
How awesome is it to get answers to prayer (even in part)that are they way we would like them to be!!
Soli Deo Gloria
Wish I had something uplifting or magical to say. I'll try to think of an innappropriate joke. Kidding. :-)
Seriously, thanks for the update. We think about you all often & pray every time you come to mind. My daughters are really concerned for Tricia & they love when you post pictures & updates. We really apprecaite your willingness to share with all of us strangers.
~Sara in MD
Will continue to pray!
Just a thought...do you think you could design a button that bloggers could put on their blog to link to yours?
Nate and Tricia, Prayers to you both. You are constantly in my thoughts. Glad to hear that your are feeling a little better Tricia, and taking one step at a time is all that you can do. You both are amazing. Thank you for keeping us all updated on how things are going.
Hugs from Ohio
Jennifer
Praying for you all!!
Please know that I think of you daily, and pray for u daily. not sure if i have posted on here before but I have a carepage for my daughter who has cystic fibrosis. www.carepages.com and her page name is AllieClaycomb. Also have a myspace page for her www.myspace.com/curecf4allie We are praying hard in New Paris, PA for all of u. give that baby girl kisses and hugs from allie :)
brandy
Praying!
Praying, praying, praying!
God is good, ALL the time, and He has a plan for each of us.
Loving that Tricia has been feeling a bit better recently, and glad you are able to take advantage of that!
So glad that you've gotten some news, though it isn't all good. I'll keep praying for your family and pray that God will bring glorious riches from all of this for everyone.
Yes, that was confusing. But it isn't confusing to God and we'll pray that he will take the best care of Tricia (which He always does, of course!) and heal her body.
Thanks for the update! Hopefully this pesky bacteria will prove to be a much less formidable foe than the cancer and will succumb to the antibiotics swiftly and completely!
We are so glad that you all are spending some quality time together and that everyone is feeling good!! I've loved the pictures recently (although I usually love them all!)!
It seems like closing on a house is ALWAYS delayed in some way... in my experience it never goes without its bumps... just makes it that much sweeter when you finally get to say it is YOURS! :)
Praying for the meds to knock out the infection and for the docs to come up with an effective treatment plan for the cancer and for the three of you to be able to enjoy tons of family time!!
Much Love,
The VandeCastles
Have been checking regularly praying for good news for Tricia. I'm sorry that it's an infection but glad it isn't the cancer. I will continue to pray that the cancer doesn't grow, the infection can be cleared quickly, the doctors choose the best treatment for the cancer, Tricia can sustain her energy throughout the treatments so she can enjoy her sweet husband and beautiful daughter, and that you can finally close on your house and be HOME! Also, I will continue to pray for you Nate, your girls are so lucky to have you.
Praying for your family-and for the closing. So glad to hear you are enjoying some precious time together.
Thanks for the update.
As laways you are in my prayers.
The pictures have been great.
Praying for your family!
we will pray that the infection AND the cancer take a hike!
-em & josh in NC
I have been checking the Blog daily for an update. Thank you for sharing the update of what's going on with Tricia.
As we do each day we're still praying for you guys.
Love the photos at the beach. Nothing like baby toes in the sand:)
Been praying for you...glad to hear she's been feeling a bit better lately...
Thanks for the update! I've been thinking about you, Tricia and the baby. Keeping you all in my prayers!
Amy
i'll keep praying, for tricia, you as a family, and your house!
(this morning i was encouraged and awed by 2 Kings 18-19, where hezekiah prays like mad for God's deliverance when the assyrians (who had demolished all the surrounding nations, including israel) besieged judah - and the Lord answers and delivers them, because Hez. prayed! I'm praying that as you trust him, your source of hope and joy would be strong and obvious to all.)
Well that is a relief (of a sort). Is it horrible Pseudomonas?
Thanks for the update. I am praying for you daily. I am glad to hear the mass is not cancer. Hang in there and always remember God is in Control.
Still praying for ya'll.
Mary
At least it is just an infection, we deal with that regularly right? All the best to Patricia. She is a strong woman and I know all will work out. God Bless you all.
I'm glad it came to the lesser of two evils. Tricia is a fighter and she will enter the next stage positively! X.
Praying for your girls. Thanks for the update.
My prayers continue for Tricia and her healing Nate. I am so glad to hear that you are making each and every day count with your two girls. I believe that God has a plan in place, and look for it to come in His perfect time. I love you guys.
Laurie in Ca.
Continued prayers Nate!
God is good all of the time and He is faithful.
His plans are for you to prosper and have a hope. His love endures forever and it will carry you through this uncertain times and waters you find yourself treading in just a little longer.
God bless and love!
Jill
We are so glad that is wasn't cancer. I will keep praying for Tricia and more good news ahead. We love you guys.
Thanks for the update. I am glad for the news and hope that 30 days of antibiotics are effective against the infection. One thing is, it seems to me that the lymphoma is not as aggressive as some forms can be and I am glad for that. Also glad that Tricia has had a break from chemotherapy to have some good times with you and Gwyneth and also for her body to regain some strength. Prayers, of course, continuing. And house closings are inherently stressful especially when the schedule keeps getting moved around. Ick.
Thanks for the update Nate!
~Also, the closing on the house was bumped back again...~
So typical of buying a house! Hang in there.
~As always, we trust that God knows our future and wants the best for us, even when it doesn't feel that way.~
You guys are amazingly resilient and loyal in your love for God. Thanks for the reminder to me to strive to be as well. Thinking and praying for you three.
Hi there.
I have two questions.
1. What is the bacteria that is growing in Tricia's lymph node?
2. Have the cancer docs mentioned anything about doing a stem cell transplant? I know of one other CF patient who developed PTLD unresponsive to chemo who was treated in this way.
Praying. Thanks for the update-enjoy the time with your girls!
I have been so touched by your difficult story. I will be praying for you all, so that this ordeal will be a thing of the past.
Here's to good health for Tricia and Gweneth, and your continued good health Nate.
Hugs
Tracey
Ontario, Canada
(my hubby is going through a cancer scare of his own right now so I definitely feel and understand the anxiety in your life right now - God bless!)
Well, bacteria is not good...I'll take bacteria over cancer any day!:) I will continue to pray for Tricia's continued health as well as the period of "upness" that you guys are enjoying to be extended as long as possible!! God Bless.
I saw the news yesterday, but for some reason, couldn't leave a comment from my home computer. I am so happy to hear it wasn't cancer. Granted an infection isn't good either but as "blessings from above" said, "it is the lesser of two evils." Nate, your family just amazes me. I have learned so much patience from reading your story and have a whole new outlook on just about everything. I have learned to appreciate even the little things in life. Will continue to pray for your family. You guys ROCK
Elaine from MT
Nathan, I usually read your blog in Bloglines, but I just wanted to let you know that I think about your little family often, and you guys are all in my prayers.
You sir, are a wonderful husband and father.
Well, that is semi-good news... not lymphoma is good. Infection is bad. I am not nearly as immune compromised as Tricia, but understand all too well how that issue goes. Am keeping you in my prayers. God is good.
Shari NC
I felt prompted to remind you of this promise. Know that you are often in my prayers. "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord."plans to prosper you and to not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you" declares the Lord...Jeremiah 29:11-14.
Well, I guess we can say that it was better news than we expected....but still not great news. Thanks for the update...always praying for you guys!
Thanks for the update :)
I'm curious as to the specific bacteria, too... its what I do :-) I know that for CF both Pseudomonas and Burkholderia are fairly common, but Staph and Haemophilus are also disease associated. My guess is that it is Pseudomonas - 1) - it forms masses in CF patients and 2) - it is an opportunistic pathogen - most of us are exposed to it, but it tends to only cause disease in immunocompromised individuals. OK, thats my guess and my $.02
These are fact's...
I have shared your story with alot of people and just about every day at least one person asks how you all are doing...
I have learned ALOT of things because of you guys...
Each day I send many well wishes your way...
Not a day goes by with out me praying for you all...
BETTER DAY ARE ALWAYS AHEAD !!!!
thanks for the update. praying for you guys.
Thanks Nate for keeping us posted. It is like you've brought us all in as part of the family! Gayle and I pray for you guys everyday and lately extra for Tricia. Enjoy today!
I am convinced that if anyone in the world can overcome its Tricia.
Hugs and Love, and ENJOY the excitment of getting a new home:)
Blessings and Love,
Melissa
That's a sort of bad news/good news report, isn't it? Won't quit praying for a full recovery.
Monique in TX
Nate I am sorry to hear about the infection but glad they can treat it with meds. Sounds like the lymphoma is confined and still there but not growing or spreading. Although I realize to the risk of infection due to transplant isn't a good thing either but the better of the two.
MY thoughts and prayers are with both of you as you make some choice on whats next to treat the lymphoma.Praying for guidence for your doctors as well through this process.
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