Update for July from Montreal

I can't believe how fast time flies. Earl and I are currently hanging out at Michael and Christine's home just outside of Montreal...what a beautiful home it makes me feel like i am in heaven. We traveled to Quebec City for two days and stayed at the very beautiful and very old Chateau Frontenac where are good friend Lolo is working. We had so much fun shopping, watching the entertainers and eating great French Canadian food and then Earl enjoyed his first train trip as we traveled back to Montreal.

We will come back home on Wednesday for a few days and then head out to Calgary/Banff for a few more days of rest, relaxation and sight seeing...Earl really wants to see the mountains.

Now for the medical update: Earl had a second biopsy done on July 13 and the reason for this was that the results from the 1st biopsy were inconclusive. They did not see characteristics of either bone sarcoma or renal carcinoma and then did not have enough sample to do any more tests. When we saw the Dr. on the following tuesday he said that we had received a preliminary pathology report which told us that they could not identify the cells and therefore would be sending out samples to the national pathology lab in BC and to a few other labs. We have not heard back from them, but at least the radiologist took enough samples the second time.

What does all this mean.....you are probably thinking. Well we have 3 scenarios here
1) if it is in fact osteosarcoma (Earls original cancer) then we have some chemo available and/or Earl may have surgery. This surgery being the big complicated surgery we talked about a few months ago. The only difference would be that it would happen in Toronto if the Surgeon we have been referred to will agree to do it.
2) if it is renal cancer they tell us there are many options for chemo therapy and that it is curable. This I am sure would take place in Winnipeg.
3) well if it is unknown cancer or another type then we will hopefully have good news about treatment possibilities.

Earl's tumor which is getting larger by the day and currently measures 16.3cm is causing increasing pain. He is such a trooper.

For all our prayer warriors out there please hold him up and please pray for the medical people involved that they would have eyes to see and minds to understand what they see and wisdom to offer the best treatments available. Earl stands firm in his faith and believes that God has a very special plan for him.

Debbie