better than we expected...

...we think!!

so far the esophagus brushing showed no malignancy. (we were not expecting them to be positive but it was nice to hear that they were negative). we don't think the regular biopsies are back yet.

we are "finally" aggressively treating the esophagus pain with morphine and anti-viral and anti-fungal and heavy duty steroids...yes, tim is going back on the dreaded prednisone. 100mg a day.

the nodes that were found under his arm last week (i am not sure that i had mentioned that) have shrunk...so the doctor thought they may have just been an inflammation and not a node ?

the lump on his arm is still an issue...we decided to biopsy BEFORE we jump into the chemo...we are going to consult an orthopedic surgeon (do you believe that tim doesn't have one of those yet) and see if he can either totally REMOVE the tumor or at least biopsy the tumor and see if it is the lymphoma.

we have no idea yet when we will be able to get the arm looked at...but if all stays as planned we do not see the oncologist again until after the new year...THAT IS WHAT WE WERE HOPING FOR...a chemo-free holiday!!!

thanks for all your thoughts and prayers...especially this last week or so. we still have a rocky road ahead but tim felt a little better coming out of the doctors office tonight. he said he got his two wishes...no cancer of the esophagus and no chemo before christmas. (some wish for their two front teeth...he just wants to keep his hair).

tims dad is coming down to spend a few days in this crazy house...this should be an experience. he is used to having a bathroom all to himself and now he will have to share one with tim and 4 women!!! wish him luck.

thanks for checking in.

tim and tammy