April 3, 2017
We just returned from the VA in SLC where they evaluated a spot on the side of Tony’s tongue that developed and refused to heal. It has become quite painful and is now affecting his ability to speak and eat.
The biopsy taken at the clinic today came back negative for cancer, but the CT scan shows something abnormal going on. The tongue is also very hard where it shouldn’t be. Often a cancer is found deep within the muscle tissue of the tongue.
There is an ENT specialist from the Huntsman Cancer Institute available on Friday morning to get Tony into an operating room for a better look and biopsy. Then, on Friday, April 14th, the ENT experts will meet at the Huntsman’s to discuss a treatment plan to present to us.
The good news is that the scope of his nose and throat only revealed healthy tissue and the CT scan shows healthy bone and lymph nodes. Whatever we are dealing with this time is only in the tongue tissue and likely not related to Lymphoma (2006-2007) or Leukemia (2009-2012).
April 5, 2017
Tony heard back from the VA Medical Center today regarding the longer pathology on the biopsy that was taken from his tongue on Monday. It came back positive for cancer, so he will not need a surgical biopsy on Friday.
His case will be reviewed by the ENT experts this Friday morning and we will meet with them at 10 am to learn what treatment is recommended.
Meeting Luci
April 6, 2017
Our third grandchild.
Our son Will, his wife Becca and their three children
Morbidity
April 7, 2017
🙏🏻 Please keep those prayers coming! 🙏🏻
The treatment plan for Tony is more involved than we anticipated. We met with the surgeon today. (It’s not good when a doctor uses the word “morbidity.”) 👨⚕️
The squamous cell carcinoma tumor is so advanced that most of his visible tongue will be removed. 👅 They will also do reconstructive surgery using muscle from an arm or leg. 💪🏻 Surgery will be an all-day event and hospital stay at the Huntsman’s will be 7 to 10 days. A feeding tube and tracheotomy will enable him to receive nourishment and air as he begins to heal.
He will come home to convalesce for a month and then return for 5 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. 🤕
He is looking at 6 months to a year before his quality of life resembles what he is used to.
We don’t have a timeline yet. We expect to hear more on Monday.
This has been a lot to take in today. After learning that he was going to lose his tongue, Tony took me out to lunch at Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse and ate like it was his last supper. It’s going to take some time to mentally process what lies ahead. 🕰
April 15, 2017
We were among a fortunate group of members that had dry run tickets to prepare for the Idaho Falls LDS Temple open house. Our faith in Jesus Christ and his plan for us give us great comfort.
Spencer, Emily, Debra & Tony
It’s fun having littles that enjoy hanging out at Grandma and Papa’s house. 🐰🐥🥚
Coloring Eggs with the Grandchildren
April 18, 2017
Update on what is scheduled for Tony…
Fri. Apr. 21 – MRI in Salt Lake City.
Mon. Apr. 24 – Meet with a Nutritionist in Idaho Falls.
Wed. May 10 – Meet Dr. Buckman, the reconstructive surgeon at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in SLC.
Wed. May 11 – Meet with Dr. Monroe, the surgeon that will remove Tony’s tongue and lymph nodes in his neck at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in SLC.
We have not yet been told a date for surgery.
The chest CT scan that was done on April 7 revealed a lesion on Tony’s liver. I hesitated in mentioning it because we don’t know anything about it yet and it is not uncommon for a CT scan to pick up lesions that are benign. The MRI should show a clearer difference between normal and abnormal tissue.
Because so many of you are including Tony in your prayers, I wanted to give you everything we know so that your prayers can be specific.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers of support.
April 20, 2017
It is 1:30 a.m. and my man is in the driveway finally finishing up replacing the rocker arms on the car so that we can travel to Utah safely for his doctor appointments. I don’t know how he does it. #imarriedsuperman
Tenacity
April 22, 2017
Admiring the tenacity of this incredible man that is about to face one of the most challenging times of his life.
He was diagnosed with cancer in his tongue earlier this month and is preparing for surgery to remove most of the visible part of his tongue and have it reconstructed using muscle from his arm or leg.
#mysweetheart
#cancerawareness
#cancersucks
#lymphomasurvivor
#leukemiasurvivor
#squamouscellcarcinoma
Save the Date
April 25, 2017
Emergency SleepOver
May 1, 2017
Our sweet granddaughter, Luci, was born at 37 weeks. She had undeveloped nerves in her colon which resulted in a bowel obstruction. Will and Becca took her to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake and we helped with the other two children, Sophie and Charlie. (After a couple of days in Utah, Will and Becca were able to return home with Luci. Surgery was not required and Luci is thriving.)
