Finally, the tests are done`

We made it through until noon with no food or drink (it may have helped that Mick was out of town ;), so we were able to get the tests completed. I have to say that if I had to do it again, I would opt out for the gas mask -- not a peaceful way for a 2 1/2 year old to go to sleep!

We won't know the results until early next week. When we do hear, I'll post here.

No test today

Grrrrrrr..... you won't believe it. I woke up and fed Lola an early breakfast and prepared myself and her for the morning of no food or drink ahead. We were doing pretty good and around 8:30, I was in the kitchen and Lola was in and out of Mick's office, she and Mick come out into the kitchen and Mick said she got a hold of his bagel and helped herself to a bite of it. That's it, just one bite. I didn't know how big of a deal it was going to be, so we finished our morning and headed over the SJCH. I told them about the 'bite' of bagel and the nurse called over to anesthesiology and we were told that she needed 6 full hours of NO food... not even a bite of anything, due to obvious risks if she were to vomit during sedation, etc.... so no testing today :-( Right now, they couldn't get us on the schedule again until Sept 17th at Noon. The scheduling department is working on trying to get us in at All Children's sooner, but haven't received any confirmation yet. If we can get in over at All Children's sooner, I will consider this one of those "It was meant to be" things.

More waiting...

Seems as though luck is just not on our side. One of the machines at the hospital is down and therefore the hospital can't do both tests at the same time until September 3rd. Seems crazy to me, but I'm sure there is a more detailed explanation that we're not privy to. Our appointment isn't until 1pm on the 3rd, so it will be fun (NOT!) trying to tell Lola that she can't have anything to drink or have breakfast or lunch (due to the anesthesia) that day... we'll have to keep her very busy and mind off food and water. I expect a very grumpy girl!

Finally!

After two weeks, they finally worked through the red tape and received authorization from the insurance company. The hospital called today to advise. Lola should be scheduled sometime next week for her tests. I'll post when I know exactly when.

Insurance Companies!!!! Grrrrr.

We found out Friday that the hospital is having a problem getting authorization from the insurance company for the necessary tests. They say they are working through the red tape, but this is what is causing the delay. They seemed to think, if all goes well, we'll get a call on Monday for when the next tests will be scheduled.

One week later

We still haven't received a schedule for Lola's next round of tests. ...the waiting is the hardest part :(

Today's Dr Appointment

As scheduled, we went to Lola's Oncologist appointment today. The doctor, Dr. Wynn, was super nice and spent a lot of time with us, answering questions and giving Lola a thorough examination. He confirmed a lot of what we have learned prior to the appointment, in that the type of cancer that Lola has is very slow growing (this is what low-grade implies) and isn't quick to metastasize. The surgeon that removed the tumor had been in close contact with Dr. Wynn throughout this whole ordeal, so he was quite familiar with Lola's case.

There are many possible scenarios that could play out, with the best case scenario being that the surgeon was able to remove the entire tumor completely. If this is the case, then we may be just looking at having MRIs every three months for the next year and then backing off to a regular schedule of once a year to insure the tumor doesn't regrow. If just a few cells were left behind from the surgery, that is all that is needed to sometimes allow it to grow back--sigh. This could mean additional surgery. If the catscan or mri shows that they didn't get it all, then they may have to cut, go back in, and try to remove the rest. The surgeon can only get so aggressive with where he cuts, due to the nerves and being so close to the spine. If they can not remove the entire tumor due to the risks involved then they may have to do radiation or some type of treatment. This would be second to worse case scenario. With the worse case scenario being that this tumor is secondary to something else.

With all this being said, we left the doctors office today with a planned appointment for a MRI and a complete body CATSCAN to obtain as much detail as possible to see if the tumor was completely removed and if there is anything else going on that may have caused this.

The positive notes we left with are: It is more often than not, that the surgeons are able to remove the entire tumor the first time and basic monitoring is all that is needed afterward for this type of cancer. Also, they were able to draw blood and do tests in the office that showed a lot of indicators are in the normal range -- phew.

We are remaining cautiously optimistic at this time and appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers. It is a scary time for us, but it is so comforting to know that we have such great family and friends to help us through this time.

We don't have a set date for when the next round of tests (MRI and CATSCAN) are, but when we know, I will post it. Lola needs to be sedated for the MRI, so we are waiting for the hospital to coordinate a time when they can do both tests at the same time so she only has to be sedated once.

Stay tuned.