Good News and Bad News

I know I've been rather quiet on here lately.  I did have a headache for 4 weeks and we've been pretty busy.
But the truth is, I've been anxious.  I've been nervous.  I've been worried.


For those of you who don't know, Wayne was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March 2009 and subsequently had half of his left kidney removed last April.  Wayne had never had any major illness or ailment, to say the diagnosis caught us by surprise is an understatement of colossal proportions. 


It rocked our worlds.  It pulled the rug out from underneath us.  It has changed our lives.


We try to stay positive, but it's really hard.  Every ache or pain sends us running to the phone.  Wayne has been to the doctor more in the last year than in the last ten years.  Our primary care physician has been incredibly gracious and attentive.  She listens and tries to calm our fears.  She doesn't make us feel like we're being silly or unreasonable.


Wayne's one year cancer check up was yesterday.  We chose not to tell anyone about it this time.  We appreciate everyone's prayers and well wishes, but we wanted to be able to process the news we received privately before having to make a bazillion phone calls and sharing the news with all of you.


So yesterday we did just that.  We spent about five hours at the hospital, then ran some errands while we were in Iowa City, did some shopping and grabbed something to eat.  We didn't make one phone call, not one text, not one email.  It was nice.  It was great, actually.  Have I built up the suspense long enough?


We got good news on the cancer front.  NO CANCER!!  Wayne is officially one year cancer free!!


His kidneys look good, just a little scar tissue.  His chest X-Ray was clear, his blood work was good, everything is going well.  I remember taking a deep breath and feeling relieved.  Then came the bad news.


This post is so long, you probably forgot that I titled it "Good News and Bad News". 


Dr. Joudi told us he is leaving.  He got married and is moving to Wichita, Kansas.  If you have read any of my previous cancer posts, you know I have professed my love for Dr. Joudi on several occasions.  Don't get your panties in a bunch, it's not an "Oh My God I love you" love.  It's a "you saved my husband's life and will forever be at the top of my list" kind of love. 


Dr. Joudi convinced us to save his kidney when the previous Dr. convinced us to remove the whole thing.  He told us he would do everything he could to preserve as much kidney function possible.  And he did.  He saw Wayne every day in the hospital, even Easter Sunday.  Every nurse we saw willingly commented on how conscientious and attentive he is.  From what I understand, that never happens.  Dr. Joudi called us at home the day after Wayne went home to check on him.  Every time we called his office with a question or concern he called us back himself, usually within minutes.


I'm not going to lie.  When he walked out of the room, I had to wipe away a few tears.  When we decided to get a second opinion, Dr. Joudi came highly recommended to us.  We didn't know what to expect.  Often times, great doctors do not have the best bedside manners.  We were pleasantly surprised the first time we met him.  He put us at ease.  He gave us hope.  And although we're saddened that he's leaving, we're hopeful that we will be assigned to an equally great doctor.


That being said, as soon as Dr. Joudi left the room Wayne said "If the cancer comes back, we'll be going to Wichita.  He'll be our second opinion....again."


If you're still reading this record long post, thank you.  We appreciate your thoughts, prayers and well wishes more than you'll ever know.  This is something I don't wish on any of you.  But if you do have to endure something like this, I hope you're blessed with great friends and family like we are.


And just because it's important....ONE YEAR CANCER FREE!!