Today Kevin had a second follow-up appointment with Dr. C, who did his wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy.  As we mentioned before, we had heard the results of the biopsy that the cancer has spread to one of the three lymph nodes that were tested.  As this appointment today, we went over the complete pathology report with Dr. C and found out that the Breslow’s thickness of Kevin’s melanoma tumor was 7.2mm.  Generally, anything thicker than 4mm = no bueno.  In addition to the fact that the cancer had spread to a lymph node and that there was one small additional tumor found in the excision area, we were told that Kevin would have to have radiation treatment at the surgery site.  We don’t know a whole lot about it yet, but it will begin the first of the year, and likely go for 4-6 weeks.  It shouldn’t hurt or make him sick, so we are encouraged about that.

His second surgery, which will be to remove all of the lymph nodes in the area where the cancer had spread has been scheduled for December 1st.  His wonderful Aunties will be flying in to help out with childcare, etc. and we are so grateful and excited to see them.

He will have a PET/CT scan tomorrow, quite the birthday present, don’t you think?  As best we understand, the PET scan can find areas of cancer in the body that are larger than about 5mm, but can’t find small individual cells. The results of this scan will determine some of his next treatment steps, so please be praying that the spread is limited to that one lymph node alone.

We are so encouraged that he is in such good care at Emory and that there is a whole melanoma board looking at his case!  We trust that he is in good hands and that we continue to rest in the knowledge that he is in the hands of the Ultimate Healer who loves and wants good things for him.