Well, tomorrow we leave for the University of Michigan Cancer Center. We are meeting with Dr. Buckanovich (read his bio at http://www2.med.umich.edu/departments/cancer/providers/Gyneonc.cfm). We're not sure what to expect nor do we have any expectations. Sounds crazy I know, but it's the truth. Since we've never done this before and no one gave us a book on how to "do cancer", we're just sort of wingin' it. Up to this point we've just been trusting our oncologist (and he is good), but we felt it was time for a second opinion. It will be interesting to see what this guy has to say about our new plan. That's the main point I guess: more or less just listen to what this guy has to say. Best case scenario is that he says "I agree with everything they've done and the plan they have you on going forward". If that's the case, then great. We come back and feel good about where we're going. But, if he disagrees with the plan, then we start challenging our oncologist here. We meet with him on Monday so the timing couldn't have been better.
Like Kristi said in last night's update, as soon as we leave U of M, we're going to head up to Frankenmuth and make a weekend out of it. It will be our first "official" vacation since Kristi was diagnosed. We both need a break! Granted it's only a weekend, but it's Oktoberfest in Frankenmuth. I've heard it gets quite interesting there this time of the year so it will be fun to just sit back and "people watch". Saturday of course we will spend the day shopping at Birch Run. Kristi's wheel chair will just give us that much more room to pile stuff on as we're shopping!!
We also got Kristi's blood work results today and got a nice surprise...her platelet level is at 78,000! So chemo is definitely on for Monday. Her white and red blood cell counts are both low however, so along with chemo on Monday she will get a red blood cell transfusion. I'm assuming that we will start the neupagen shots nightly next week to bring her white blood cells up.
So lots of prayer requests:
1) That tomorrow's visit goes well and the doctors don't tell us any more bad news!!
2) Safe travel!
3) Safety for the kids
4) Sanity for the my parents as they will be watching the kids!!
5) Kristi's cold to get better
6) Kristi's grandma as she's recovering from surgery
The hotel we're staying at has internet access so we'll try to update the blog tomorrow night with the results of our visit.
