Kenny Alexander

3/8/16: Dad's nagging, hacky cough started back in October, 2015. I told him it was probably due to this allergy capital of the world we call Springdale/Fayetteville, AR. He made his primary care doctor aware of this issue at his annual visit, but all lung sounds were clear. He continued with this hacky cough, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort for three months and kept notifying the doctor but still no changes in his care. Eddie finally encouraged dad to "demand" a chest x-ray...so he did on 2/9. Now we know why he has a cough...there is a 7.7cm (baseball size) lung mass. A CT was then ordered followed by a lung biopsy, pulmonary function test and Pet Scan. The cancer is called Non-small cell Adenocarcinoma of the lung. The Pet Scan showed "hot spots" in the right adrenal gland (above kidney) and the middle of chest. These two areas are consistent with metastasis (spreading). We met his Oncology Nurse Practitioner (female) and Doctor (male) today. We liked them both. Dr. Mohiuddin (Mo-he-a-dean) wants to first check the possibility of doing a biopsy of the adrenal gland "hot spot". Pet Scans show anything that is active (inflammation, infection, and/or cancer). The Interventional Radiologist will determine if the biopsy is doable.
Dad got the call today (3/9/16) that the Radiologist WILL do the Adrenal Gland biopsy; it's scheduled for 3/21/16.  Whoop Whoop! This outcome determines the next few steps...Whether surgery consult, chemo, radiation, etc. Eddie and I (and Carolyn and Kenneth from afar) are beside mom and dad every step of the way and hope to keep you guys updated as well. You know...it is what it is. WE GOT THIS (one day at a time)!!

Thanks, love to all, Lucy 😊