Katelyn's latest testing results are all back...

After spending the day in turmoil not knowing what to make of the results, Katelyn called her Nurse Navigator through the City of Hope who described the results as ambiguous. She recommended that we wait for Katelyn's oncologist to give us our next steps. We just received a call from Katelyn's oncologist. -- It sounds like Katelyn "passed" her tests!!

The blood work results for the various cancer markers remain low and steady!

The abdomen and pelvis scans showed mildly enlarged and enhanced lymph nodes in the right lower quadrant near Katelyn's small bowel. As Katelyn's cancer was removed from this area, the oncologist thinks the increased size of these lymph nodes is likely due to the inflammation left over from the huge tumor. The radiologist recommended "surveillance imaging" of these lymph nodes which will be a part of her upcoming care through the City of Hope.

The chest scan revealed that the fluid around the outside of Katelyn's lung base is now cleared. The nodule at the lung base is confirmed to be in the pleural space and is unchanged from the last scan. Yay to no fluid in the pleural space and the nodule not growing any larger!! Katelyn's lungs also showed improved atelectasis at the lung bases and so more air sacs are now open than on her last scan. Yay to getting to take some deep breaths (both literal and figurative)!!!

We are so relieved that the waiting is finally over. We were beyond stressed both to undergo the testing and to wait for results. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes over the past few weeks.

We are so happy for the positive news!

Love, 

The Burkes