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Our visit to Birmingham was exhausting, overwhelming and informative. We saw three doctors (two new ones and a follow up with Dr. Holmes after seeing those two!) and spent 12 hours doing it! Needless to say we were all worn out so I am just now getting around to posting.

Dr. Spencer, the radiologist, went over all the dangers and risks of the re-radiation, but did believe it could be done. During her examination she felt another lump about the size of a dime in Dad's neck and although it couldn't be positively diagnosed as cancer from feeling it, she immediately changed her plan and thought that one or two rounds of chemo first would be a better route to take. She had NOT reviewed the latest PET scan. (hmm????)

So off to Dr. Nabel, the medical oncologist, who deals mostly with chemo treatments. She too had NOT seen the PET scan but only had the written report. She also went over the risks of re-radiation and decided that chemotherapy first to see how the cancer responds is the route he should take.

Next we decided to make a visit to Dr. Holmes to show him the mass that Dr. Spencer felt during her examination. He had only had the written report of the scan as well and had not seen the pictures, but did not seem overly upset about the two spots that "lit up" during this last scan. He thinks that PET scans done too soon after surgery are confusing because surgical spots can also "light up" on the scan if they are done before about 3 months post surgery. Dad's was done 6 weeks to the day after surgery. He was concerned about the new spot found and did do a biopsy. He REALLY wants to take the risk and re-radiate! He said if the other doctors want to do a round or two of chemo first then he was okay with that. It is important to remember that chemotherapy will not cure cancer only SURGERY and RADIATION kill it. Having said that, he stressed that whether or not this spot is cancer or not it WILL NOT CHANGE THE PLAN! We are going to start the chemo and then re-radiate! Please be in prayer for all of this. We (Dad especially) have a rough road ahead, but I have not given up and I have faith that we can fight it. Go Dad!!!! :-)

Thank you for all your prayers and DON'T STOP!