I sent this update to our family and friends and wanted to share it with all of you:
Dear Family & Friends: Here is the latest on John: Yesterday's spinal tap failed. John's body doesn't give up spinal fluid very easily. This isn't the first time that it has happened. As generous as John is, he is a tad stingy when it comes to spinal fluid!! So the spinal tap has been put off for now and the lymph node biopsy is what will give the doctors the information they need to make an accurate diagnosis. He had surgery today to remove a lymph node under his arm so they can send it to pathology to identify if he indeed has lymphoma and what type. He has a little soreness under his arm but no pain. He was getting ready to rest when I left this evening. The doctor discussed the possibility of him going home tonight but John didn't feel that he is comfortable yet in his mobility so they are keeping him until physical therapy can get in to check his mobility and decide if coming home is an option right now. They treat lymphoma of this non-Hodgkin's type with chemotherapy and steroids. The brain and spinal cord is a protected area and just putting chemo into his blood will not address the lesions that are in his spinal cord/column. They need to get the chemo into the spinal fluid. His resistance regarding the previous spinal taps dictates that they have to get it in there in another way. In the head there are 4 reservoirs that have spinal fluid in them....they are like little cups. They will have to drill a hole into John's skull to put in a nickel size port (button like device) under the skin so they can get the chemo into the spinal fluid. Then treatment can begin and each time he needs chemo they will put in the port in his head. They will also have to get the chemo in his blood as well. Of course this all hinges on the outcome of the pathology report on the lymph node. John is very pleased with Doctor Henry and trusts him and feels confident that this is the right thing to do if necessary. We are hoping that lymphoma is the cause of his Transverse Myletis because if it is at least there is a way to stop the lesions from getting any worse and causing more damage. He had his first dose of steroids late this afternoon and the steroids usually help John rather quickly so hopefully tomorrow he will start feeling stronger. I will send another email out to the group as news becomes available. Until then please continue to keep John in your daily prayers. If your place of worship will allow you to put John on their prayer list, please do so, as this means so much to the both of us. Love to all, Emily
