Carol Steinbach

My Turn


On May 10th I was sent by my healthcare clinic to Abbott Northwestern Hospital's ER to check on the cause for numbness in my arm and some chest pain. After clearing me for any heart or stroke problems, the doctor told me I had a lesion in my lung that needed to be followed up on.  On May 21st I had a PET scan, which showed lesions in my lungs, lymph system irregularities, and lesions in my spleen. The lung specialist told me it was possible that I had a fungal infection in my lungs but she thought it was more likely to be stage 4 lung cancer, a huge shock because I have never smoked. On May 23rd I had a biopsy done of my spleen to confirm the cancer.  The results of the biopsy, however, were "indeterminate" and they are now thinking I have either lung cancer and lymphoma, or (more likely) lymphoma. This is much better news, as the survival rates for lymphoma are much higher than for lung cancer.

Next Friday, June 1, I am scheduled for a procedure where they will remove some of the enlarged lymph glands in my chest to biopsy them. Once that is done, we will know next steps. 

Most of you know that mom (Viv Steinbach) has advanced metastatic breast cancer. It is under good control at the moment, and she is doing quite well. About a month ago Vynnette Hamanne  (my sister) was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she starts radiation for that next week. Please pray for grace and strength for all of us. We each have our own CaringBridge sites.

I will update as I know more. For now, I am in some pain from the spleen biopsy and am looking forward to resting this weekend.  I am at peace with what is happening. God is always good. 

Carol