A Quick Update...

We have met some tremendous people that have helped us navigate the waters of the healthcare system. Some have battled cancer themselves. Some have lost spouses and have learned the hard way of how to go about getting the right care. The health care professionals have been great... when we can get in contact with them. But, so much time has been spent calling, waiting, and trying to find out about our next step. From what we've been told, this is common. Every day seems like ten days to us. Without knowing for sure what it is within me that's giving me these symptoms, and only having a doctor's inclination that it is Hodgkin's lymphoma (which my symptoms and tumor align with perfectly... it's a good inclination), we are anxious to start the recovery process. Today. As soon as possible.

One of our friends reminded us to be persistent and call every day. So, Ema did. 

On Monday we have a consultation with a cardio-thoracic surgeon in South Bend. We will talk about the surgical biopsy and schedule a time later in the week for me to get it done. My oldest child, Nora, starts school on Wednesday. I'd really prefer to drop her off at school and pick her up on her first day, so I'm going to suggest we do the surgery after Wednesday. It seems antithetical to wait longer to have the surgery done when I've already confessed by growing impatience, but Nora only starts kindergarten once in her life. I'm her dad. Her biggest fan. I shouldn't miss it. The stinkin' tumor will need to wait. 

When we found out that I likely have cancer, Ema made me promise that we could do just one simple thing. She wanted to get professional pictures taken prior to me looking like a young Patrick Stewart (a man can dream...). Our friend and photographer Lisa Haislet (who has an immense amount of talent and kindness) was accommodating enough to fit us in on very short notice. The kids and I were tired. I couldn't breathe very well. And, getting three kids to look at a camera is as common as a lunar eclipse on a Tuesday. Yet, Lisa managed to get some really great pictures of our family. We will treasure these forever. If you're in the LaPorte area and need a great photographer, I highly recommend Lisa Haislet Photography.