We had an appointment to visit with Dr. Clare Twist (Nick’s Oncologist that has been his primary physician over the past 8 years). This visit was a routine follow up to review scans taken recently and get the ‘all clear.’ This day was a critical point in the cancer timeline as it marked the 5 year anniversary of being treatment free and for those that have encountered this disease, a big birthday!
There are no words to describe the feelings in the room when Dr. Twist brought us the news that a mass appeared in Nick’s latest scan. Our family has known Dr. Twist for a long time and she has always had a special interest in Nick. The message she delivered came with great concern and great sadness. The “mass” was generic and diagnosis was subject to numerous tests: MRI’s, PET Scan, and biopsy. In a relatively short period of time the diagnosis was confirmed: Undifferentiated High Grade Sarcoma of the right maxillary sinus and palate.
One would think that having been through two cancers before, that one would get used to it. The heart takes a long time to accept when your children come into harms way and there is not a thing in the world that could have been done to prevent it. While in shock and in pain, the battle armor that our family was ready to throw away, was going to be needed once again. This third time we were veterans in battle, and while the armor seemed heavier, the weapons were the same: faith, family and friends.