blog update: results

Hi friends,
Mike had 2 dr appointments this week. He has been on antibiotics for a sinus infection (not the most fun thing after sinus cavity surgery) for a week and slowly healing. We saw the endocrinologist on Tuesday and she had the results of the biopsy. What I did not disclose to anyone was that the surgeon took a biopsy to look for inflammation, infection, but also, cancer. Despite the fact he could not find a tumor, there was a possibility the gland was still cancerous. Why did I keep that to myself, you ask? Because there was no use "borrowing trouble" as mom would say, and I had faith the report would be clear. You'll remember that the neurosurgeon suggested to me that the "tumor" on the MRI was inflammation. The report, my friends, was clear!!! Mike has a normal looking pituitary. The endocrinologist read us the report and then looked at us and asked, "Do you believe in miracles?". Ummmm, yes, yes we do! We are rejoicing in the fact Mike does not have a tumor and Mike does not have cancer, and Mike does not have any of the fatal diseases he has been tested for over the last two years. We are thankful.

Now . . . . you'll also remember that we were hopeful Mike had a tumor as it could have been the answer to the endocrine issues as well as the debilitating headaches. We are processing through the fact that Mike doesn't have a tumor, that God very well could have performed a miracle, that Mike is recovering from brain surgery and is very limited as to what he can and cannot do, and where the road takes us from here. It's a lot to think about. Did Mike have a tumor? Did we experience a miracle? Are Mike's other issues resolved? What do we do with this journey we are on? We are obviously giving all glory to Him that sustains every breath, but what else would the Lord have us do with this experience? Is this journey over? Did this journey get longer because Mike doesn't have a tumor? Good old questions. We are used to them! Perhaps rather than trying to answer or guessing at what God might be doing, I will tell you where we are and what our "human" plans are given the present circumstances.

Mike's endocrinologist ordered several rounds of blood work to check his adrenal functions. She also lowered his steroid dose (these replace the hormone triggers in Mike's body that don't work). We'd love to see him off of these, but at present his body needs them. I'll be interested to see the results of the blood work post surgery. Mike also saw the ENT surgeon who said Mike was healing well, there were no leaks of cerebral spinal fluid (csf), but that Mike has more healing to do. He cleaned out Mike's sinus cavity and moved things around at the site of surgery with various tools and suction. Mike's hurting today! ENT will see Mike in three weeks and we will see the neurosurgeon as well. We also need to wait until Mike is healed from surgery to determine the next headache step. If Mike has been healed, he may not have headaches. If he has been healed of the tumor, he still may have the headaches. If the headaches persist, we will see a headache specialist. We also wait on the blood work to determine endocrine functions. Mike has been referred to an optometrist as his peripheral vision in his left eye is fuzzy at best. He also has significant left-sided weakness. It is possible, according to Dr. Durkee (ahem), that Mike's extensive seizure activity has caused damage. He always fell on his left side when he seized - I imagine this could cause weakness and loss of nerve sensation and vision loss on the left side. No one else is sure why this is, so you know me, I gotta make a guess. I'm hopeful that if Mike can get to feeling better, he can work with a trainer to strengthen his left side.
I feel a bit like this post has gone on and on - not sure what I've communicated or if you have a good idea as to where the Durkees are. But He knows, without me saying a word, He knows . . . . . and loves and cares and is faithful despite whatever I question. . . . and that will always be enough.

Thank you for praying, friends. We ask that you rejoice with us for all God has done and pray for what lies ahead.