Here We Go Again

So the pendulum swung again today, and our hearts are aching.  Benjamin's tumor has turned out to be cancerous after all, not benign as we and the doctor had been told by the pathologist.

When we went for Benjamin's first post op visit the doctor told us that the pathologist in STL said the tumor was benign, but that they had sent it on to a world renown pathologist for a second opinion.  He did not want us to be concerned at all, it really was just a matter of them giving it one of two names of benign nerve sheath tumors.  It was a bit unsettling not to have a final report, but we went away with the confidence that the doctor had given us and pleased with a benign report.

We waited four more weeks and no news of the final report.  We were to go in last Friday for a final wound check and to get the report, but the office cancelled our appointment because they were still waiting on the report.  At that point we knew that further investigation had shown some rare cells and abnormalities and we waited through the weekend for more news.

This morning that phone call came and was not the news we were hoping for.  At this point we know it is a low grade sarcoma and that it is a very rare cancer.  Benjamin is scheduled for a CT scan next week to make sure his lungs are clear and then we'll visit with the oncologist in STL.  If that looks good, we'll just follow up with a CT scan every three months for a year.  Then we'll move to every six months for the next five years.  If the CT scans show anything irregular, of course the plan will change. 

As you can imagine, this has been tough.  The kids have been more affected this time and our concern is deeper.  Despite the pain, we do not question why.  We just cling all the more to His promise to be with us and we are so grateful that He carries us through these difficult times.  We will praise Him in the storm and walk with Him one step at a time.  Thank you for praying for Benjamin and our family once again.  The prayers of many are what got us through the last go-around in December.