We got a call from Dr. Kushner’s office last night. Dr. K was in a meeting so we haven’t had a chance to ask him the bazillion questions racing through our minds just yet, but we will soon. The MRI confirmed there are “abnormalities” so they’ve asked us to come back Monday and will biopsy the spots on Wednesday. Dr. LaQuaglia will do this; he is the surgeon who performed Peter’s 3rd abdominal surgery 2 August’s ago. We’re looking at one-way flights at this point; we have no idea what to expect in terms of the invasiveness of the surgery or the recovery, or anything else.
I feel like I’m in shock, but I know Ty is past the shock and feels like he’s being tortured. It breaks my heart equally to see Ty this way and to think about Peter having to endure more “stuff”… we both just want to take his place. He doesn’t even know yet that we have to turn around & leave again and now he’s old enough that a thorough explanation will be required. It reminds me how cute it was in NY last week that every test we went to (most of which he has done a million times)- he would immediately ask the techs, “about how long is this one going to take…. 15 minutes or so?” No such luck… they’re all longer than that!
I wholeheartedly expected a call that the MRI showed nothing. Apparently it’s not too uncommon to see spots on a ct scan that are “nothing”. The ct just shows spots; the MRI helps narrow down what they actually are. That’s why they added the liver MRI. I don’t know if an MRI can also show spots (now “abnormalities”) that end up being nothing too, but I certainly hope so.
For those of you who see Peter regularly, you know how healthy he looks again. We think he has finally regained his strength from the ARDS 2 summers ago – a very long recovery, but his lungs were in pretty rough shape. Not to mention the transplant, radiation, surgeries, chemo he had already been through.
I just don’t even know where to begin or end here, but please pray that this is a false alarm and not our worst enemy coming back for more. Please also pray for our girls, who are always in wonderful hands, but end up being left behind. We know how scary & confusing this all must seem to a 5- and 3- year old.
A journal of Peter’s journey
Erica and Ty,
Thoughts and prayers will be with you this coming week. What a shock when you’ve seen how well Peter is doing. What else can one say except our hearts are aching with you and that we look forward to positive news. Wishing you all the best…..
Hi, I’m a BGSU hockey fan and saw Ty many times when he played here. I’ve followed your blog for quite a while now. In fact I even thought about Ty today because it was the BG Hockey Alumni Golf Outing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry to hear the news and hope like you do that it is nothing. Your little guy has proved that he is a fighter and I know that he will fight his way through this battle too. Please keep us posted and as I said, many many thoughts and prayers are going out to you.
Dear Erika, Ty, Peter, Ellie and Katie,
Rebecca and I have had each of you on our minds all day. You are a magnificent and exemplary family full of love and compassion. Erika, thank you for writing and sharing information and your thoughts with us today; this allows us to understand what your family is going through and guide us in our support for you.
Ty and Erika you are wonderful people and parents and your love for one another and your children is evidenced in everything you do. What a phenomenal example you are for your children and the rest of us. Your strength is championed and your heartache understandable.
You are front and center in our thoughts and we will be monitoring the website to learn about Peter’s tests and your determined efforts.
We love you all,
Sincerely,
Rebecca and Terry
My dear Eigners~
Wow …. I sit here thinking that this just should not be happening. I check your site daily …. with months of no posts … and now, here you have posts again … but, they are not the kind we want to read.
Those of us who really know Peter know that he is a fighter. We know that he can handle whatever jumps in his path. We know that he beats the odds…. we know that he beats the enemy to a pulp…. we also know that regardless of all his strength as a fighter, this newest hurdle is totally unfair. It really must seem like you are being tortured…..
My heart aches as I sit here and recall everything you have endured over the last (nearly) 3 years….way more than any family should have to! It hurts my heart immensely to think that you may be fighting this blasted enemy again….
We have been praying ever since Grandma Barb shared the news with us on Thursday …. and we continue to lift up pocket-fulls of prayers as you await further testing and results. We hope you are simply “spotted” and nothing more!! 🙂
Please know that my home is open to Miss Ellie & Miss Kate-Kate anytime you need me! I know that they are in perfect hands with grandmas and grandpas …. but, we are more than eager to have them stay with us whenever a change of pace is needed….
Our love to you all during this scary time~
Jenni, Ryan, Emily, Lily & Parker
To the Eigners,
Our entire family is praying for a “false alarm” on the scans. We care so much for your family and it is very sad that you are dealing with this situation again. You know we’ll be there – like all your other friends and family.
Love,
The Smiths – Kathy, Garrett, Wyatt, and Lee
Ty and Erika,
We were very saddened to hear about Peter’s recent test results. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. You have a wonderful family and we are so sorry you have to go through this. You have a lot of people thinking and praying for Peter and your family.
Steve, Tam, Mark and David
Dear Eigners
I Just Read the News,, I am Praying that these spot’s come up
as scar tissue… Please know that I am here for You guys ,, TY
I am always avail if you need yo talk…
Dc
Sending you much love and many prayers.
The Hennen Family
Sorry to hear this.
We continue to send many prayers your way!
Sheila, TJ, Josh and Madison Ask
Hello Eigners,
I have been thinking of you alot lately wondering how everything is going! I was hoping you would be posting again soon, but this is not the news I was hoping to hear! My heart aches for you and your family. I know how full of life a 7 year old boy is and I am saddened to hear he has to have another surgery, test etc.! I hope it turns out to just be ‘spots’ and nothing else! I will continue to pray that this is a ‘false alarm’. May God surround you with His loving arms as you wait for the results! Keep us all posted!
With love and prayers,
LaCoe, Dan, Gavin and Lucas Inwards
Thinking of you this week and always.
#@*!$@*#. Mary wants me to call you so badly but i dont want to interrupt your last family time for awhile. Will call when you are in New York. Please know we are buoying you on eagle’s wings. Be good to each other.
peace in troubled times, patti et al
So sorry to hear about this latest scare. We pray for clean results as you head back to NY. We truly cannot even begin to imagine what you guys are going through, but please know you are in ours prayers.
Andi
Our thoughts and prayers are with you from Omaha.
Stay STRONG!
James, Tara, Taylor, and Max Heinen
Hi Guys,
The Mish told me, and I couldn’t believe it… You are all in our thoughts. Keep the faith !
Strength and Love,
Amy, Robert and Emerson Gordon
Our prayers are with you all for positive results on the “spots”. Like everyone else, we were checking the sight and waiting to hear how results from your New York trip went. My stomach clenched as I read the post. Peter is strong now so is in the best shape to fight if he should need to. We will pray everyday that he will not need to.
Love and prayers
Steve, Glenda, Josh, Meg and Jake