Change of Plans

Well, we went to see the pediatric surgeon today. The ultrasound Chance had done last time showed something in his lymph nodes. While they can't know anything for sure until actual surgery, he said that after looking at the ultrasound, he believes this is most likely cancer.

None of the endocrinologists in the state have ever dealt with a case of pediatric thyroid cancer, so both this surgeon and the endocrinologist recommended we take C to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The surgeon said he could still do the surgery to remove the lump and check out the lymph nodes, but if it is cancer, we would still have to take him to Rochester for further treatment. He said it would be in C's best interest to have all aspects of his treatment done in one place so the doctors there can best coordinate his care.

So we have an appointment with an endocrinologist at Mayo on Monday morning and with a surgeon on Tuesday morning. We'll have to see what they say when we get there about a date for the actual surgery. Chance has a nasty cough right now which needs to clear up before any surgery. The doctors here seemed to think that we would probably be there until the surgery is performed, though, so it may be a long stay.

We came home today for a few days. We'll leave on Sunday for Rochester, which is about a six or seven hour drive. Jesse's mom will be extending her stay to go with us. I don't know what we would do without her.

It looks like this road will be a little longer than we expected.