Bruce Cauthen Cauthens' Journey

Today begins the first journal entry for my husband, Bruce Cauthen.  We are in Roanoke Memorial hospital.  He was transported here from Radford hospital on Saturday, May 12, 2018.  
He entered Radford Hospital via the emergency room on May 3rd.  We thought he had complications with pneumonia.  Three different procedures were done to attempt to remove massive amounts of fluid from his lungs.  During this process they discovered his kidney was misshapen and his lab work showed something was wrong.  He was diagnosed with cancer in the left kidney with a suspension of lung cancer.  Fluid on the lungs made it difficult to see what was actually in the lungs.  
Tuesday, May 8th, they did a biopsy of a nodule in his lungs.  The next three days chemicals were introduced into the lungs to break up congealed fluids and hopefully drain remaining fluid.  Saturday May 13th, we were informed that there was a pocket of fluid located in a place that they could not get to and that he would have to be moved to Roanoke Memorial for the next procedure.  This would be a CT guided needle/drain or surgery.
This procedure was done at 5:00 pm Monday, May 14, and they were able to get to the pocket of fluid via the CT procedure.  Which brings us to the present day of Tuesday, May 15.  As of 10:00 A.M.  about 1/2 liter (pint) of fluid has drained from his lungs. Two new x-rays today to check this progress no report on this of right now.  
The oncologists called Monday night to tell Bruce the results of the lung biopsy.  He is officially diagnosed with renal cancer (left kidney) which has matestized to the lungs.  We are in the process of getting an appointment at Johns Hopkins within the next two weeks.  
Immediate issue is getting his lungs cleared so the next stage, treatment of cancer, can begin with the best chance of success.  Treatment will most likely involve surgery and immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy, but this is not definite at this point in time.
Bruce is brave, positive and ready to fight this.  We have hope and a good chance because he is in good health going into this.  
I will try to post updates daily on Bruce's general health and daily activities.  Any new medical updates I will post as soon as possible.
Last thing today; I would just like to acknowledge  the out pouring of support, love, visits, gifts and offers of help from friends and family.  We have been uplifted and surrounded with kindness and love, and for that we are thankful.