"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for you to thrive and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"(Jeremiah 29:11)
On Easter Monday, I went with Edison to his appointment with his primary care physician. We tried to get a referral to an oncologist. After having a quick conference call with the head & neck specialist, the primary care physician informed us of the protocol that they are adhering to: before sending us to an oncology team, they wanted to do all the tests first (MRI and PET scan), which were scheduled the following week. Edison's doctor reassured us that cancer doesn't "grow" overnight, and that we are doing fine schedule-wise.
In the meantime, Edison was instructed to keep everything as normal as possible: keep his work routine, work out regularly, and eat healthy. He was encouraged to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, and limit fried and sugary foods and drinks. The doctor also emphasized that Edison needed to stay positive, and to particularly stay away from any stressful and depressing thoughts.
All of these: eating healthy, working out, and staying positive - are needed to keep Edison's immune system as healthy as possible until we get to the treatment phase!
Edison and I have been overwhelmed by all the love and support that have come our way since we asked for you to join us in this journey. Our immediate family has provided us with healthy meals and drinks, and endless favors granted; our friends have provided us with opportunities for laughter and togetherness (insert margaritas here - heehee!); and all of you have given us so much of your time with your prayers and positive thoughts.
Your words of hope have comforted us as we went to his PET scan appointment in Stockton last Sunday. As we continued to rejoice in Christ's resurrection, we were overjoyed to learn from the head & neck specialist on Tuesday that Edison's cancer hasn't spread beyond the main cancer site and the tumor on his right neck. I never would have thought that I'd ever rejoice over a Stage II cancer diagnosis for Edison! But it was an answered prayer indeed that his cancer, while it still was cancer, had only been localized in two areas - praise God! The main cancer site, as suspected, is located at the back of his nose. Edison scheduled an outpatient procedure the following day for the head & neck specialist to take some culture sample.
Your words of encouragement and love have sustained us, as we spent a taxing Wednesday: in preparation for the procedure, Edison had to fast beginning at 7:00 am. We drove to Modesto in the early afternoon. He was checked-in and prepared for surgery by 3:00 pm; was rolled into the operating room by 5:15 pm; and was in recovery by 8:00 pm. Having my parents-in-law with me was a blessing. The three of us listened as the head & neck specialist confirmed that Edison indeed had (Stage II) nasopharyngeal carcinoma. She will forward all the information, including Edison's MRI that still needs to be taken tomorrow at 5:00 pm in Modesto, to the oncology team in Sacramento. By the time we picked up and fed my famished husband, and drove back to Daly City, it was already midnight!
Like a ton of bricks, it hit me that our fight hasn't even begun! And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I will ask you once again to please keep us in your prayers always: for Edison's healing, for our family's strength, and for the unwavering faith that all of this is part of God's much bigger plans for Edison to thrive!
On behalf of our family, thank you for being part of Edison's #TeamThrive! Cheers!
"When life gives you limes, make margaritas!" :)
