Yesterday was a big one for us as John had his appointment with the oncologist at the cancer center in Bimidji.  Matt went with us and I must say we entered the office expecting the worse and hoping for the best.  I think we got the best.  Our biggest worry was why John was referred to an oncologist instead of just going back to the doctor who ordered the endoscopic ultrasound test.  Dr. Friedell was very nice and explained everything in an easy to understand manner.  It seems the lesion (tumor) on the tail of the pancreas was so small it was difficult to get a good sample to biopsy.  The doctor said "I could tell you you have cancer, but there is nothing pathologically to back up that statement.  The same can be said for saying your are cancer free."  Dr. Friedell ordered another blood test and a 24 hour urine test in the hopes of learning something more definitive.  He then laid out a couple of options:  we could do nothing right now and followup later with more scans and possibly another biopsy, or just remove the small lesion now and be done with it whether it's cancerous or not.  If it is cancer, which he doubts, we have caught it unbelievably early and we can put this whole episode behind us.  John opted for the surgery and we have an appointment to see the surgeon next Wednesday.  Needless to say, we all feel like a great weight has been lifted.

Hard to believe, but this morning we were right back down to the clinic to see our primary physician.  John has been having horrible post nasal drip--we even went to the Walk In Clinic last week because he was feeling so sick.  He was prescribed an antibiotic which did absolutely nothing for him, so it was back to see his regular doctor today.  John told him there was no way he could undergo surgery until this post nasal thing gets under control.  The doctor prescribed a much stronger med that should work within three days--if this doesn't help, then it's back to the clinic again.

Once we were finished with the doctoring, we headed to Culver's for some lunch and then ran several errands, did some banking, and then a little grocery shopping.  We were trying to kill time before my appointment with the Center for Pain Management.  My back pain has returned, so I now have an appointment for next week to get an injection to be followed up with another procedure in a week or so.  I need to be able to move around without pain so I can take care of John.  Hopefully all this medical stuff can get out of the way and we can concentrate on something other than our health.

Insurance adjuster came yesterday morning and we received a very good settlement for our porch.  Now we just have to wait for the snow piles to melt so we can attack that project.