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PLEASE READ: The Latest at the Kramer House

Life is interesting.  Some days it’s more interesting than others.

Hubby had something going on with his finger and went to the doctor in December to check it out.  Then had a follow up appointment in January on the 23rd.

Leading up to the 23rd I noticed that Hubby wasn’t quite himself…he was sleeping more.  He seemed more winded.  I just had a funny feeling about things.  So I started hounding him asking that he get a Chest CT scan.  When I got mine in November I saw how easy it was to get a scan done. I thought he should get one. I hounded enough to the point that he got frustrated with me.  For some reason, it was just extra important to me so I kept hounding.  On the way to the doctor on the 23rd he told me he was going to ask for one.  I was so relieved.

On the next morning on the 24th the computer dinged.  It was an email.  I checked it and it was a test result from the doctor.  They had done blood work and other things so I quick looked at the computer and SHOCK!  It was his Chest CT Scan result and it said he likely has cancer in his right lung.  Oh my word.  Who wants that news?  Who ever wants to be the first to know the news?  I honestly thought the results were blood test results.  I was completely blindsided.  I had nagged and nagged for him to get the test expecting that it would give me peace of mind that he was fine.  I really never thought the opposite and that he’d actually have cancer.

It was hard.  Do I call Hubby and tell him?  Is the doctor going to call him?  What do I do?  I had a house full of childcare kids and I just read the news that my husband likely has cancer.

I called Kalissa.  I told her.  She said she’d come right over.  Thank heavens she wasn’t working.  I called Kelli.  I needed someone to help me figure out what to do about telling Hubby.

Do I go to the farm?  Do I call him?  Do I wait from him to come home?  AHHH.  Ugh.

Just then Hubby called me.  The first words out of his mouth were “What do you know?”  It is a saying he says to me all the time.  I swallowed hard.  I still wasn’t set on how I was going to tell him.  I stalled and said, “What do you know?”  He ended up telling me that the doctor’s nurse had called and they wanted him back in that afternoon for a further test because something showed up on the scan.  I was so relieved.  He knew.  AH.  So relieved.

Hubby came home from work a few hours later.  I was still a bit of wreck.  Every thought had ran through my mind…and Kalissa’s.  UGH.

So Hubby started talking to me and I realized the doctor’s nurse didn’t tell him the results of the test so I had to tell him after all.  In the end, I think it was better that it came from me.

We ended up at the doctor.  Kalissa watched the childcare kiddos.  This time they did a CT Scan with contrast.  The doctor, who we can’t say enough good things about, came in on his day off to only see Hubby.  We waited a half hour to see him but what a cool guy to come in for one patient.

From there we were told he needs to move on to Lacrosse to start seeing specialists.  A PET scan was scheduled for Wednesday of this week.We had the PET scan done and then were on to see the doctor.

Here’s what we found out….
It likely is cancer.  There are no other spots or concerns besides the original mass a maybe a lymph node or two near.  There is a remote possibility it could be an infection…but likely cancer.  There was not really any more news.  The doctor suggested a biopsy and had an opening in the schedule to do it the next day so we stayed overnight and that happened yesterday.

I spent LOTS of time in the waiting room working on this….I was stitching my life into words….”HOPE”.

After the biopsy the doctor didn’t completely rule out an infection but he said it would be very, very remote.

We go back to Lacrosse on Monday.  We see a team of doctors and have several appointments in the afternoon.  At that point, we’ll know more and will share more.  It’s been quite a week around here…so many thoughts have ran through our head….so many.  We told extended family and friends yesterday and today is the day to tell all of you.

We already know many of you will be supportive and prayerful for our family as we jump into the muck of Hubby’s lung cancer.  We are so appreciative of all of you.  Please don’t worry if a post here or there is missed.  I promise it’s probably only an error in scheduling.  I know all of you care about us and I won’t leaving you wondering.  Besides, I’ve said the blog is a bit of my journal and trust me, I’m going to need to journal about this.  As you all know, Hubby is the light of my life.  Long ago when we were dating my Dad said to me that he thought I was “chasing Hubby”.  I admit I was.  But I’m not done chasing.  I’ll keep fighting and chasing to keep him right here with me.

Thank You from all the Kramers….

152 thoughts on “PLEASE READ: The Latest at the Kramer House”

  1. My prayers are with you and hubby and all the rest of the Kramer klan. You have a wonderful support team with all you kids and friends and extended family. You have been through a lot and I have no doing that y’all with get through this as well.
    God Bless!
    Jeri

  2. I rarely comment but want you to know that you and Hubby and your family are now on my prayer list. Your kids and family are such a treasure and you are so fortunate to have them so close to your heart. Best wishes as you begin this new journey!

  3. thinking positive thoughts for you and your hubby……………so glad to hear the doctors are on top of this!! I feel like I am part of your family as I have been reading your blog so long,I know that everyone who reads your blog is pulling for happy results …take care!! Jeanne

  4. Hugs to you all. We just went thru something similar with my husband. So hard to deal with the unknown and the waiting. Hope they figure out a treatment plan quickly and can get things started soon.

  5. You are all in my prayers right now. The waiting can be the most horrible thing, not knowing what the outcome of the results is really going to be. May God be with you as you go through this all together.

  6. Wishing your family the courage to look on the bright side of this, along with patience to wait for answers and the strength to face whatever the outcome will be. Hope is the perfect project to be working on during this tough time!

  7. My prayers are with Hubby and the whole family. Cancer affects the whole family. HOPE, a wonderful word. I am a caretaker for my mom. She was diagnosed with liver cancer 5 years ago! Doctors told her that she would have 6 MONTHS to live! She and all her children decided to go for quality of life and she chose no Chemo. She had Radiation Beads that targeted her tumors. They are still there,6 of them. They are small and growing very slow. She is my hero and living a busy life. Doctors can’t believe it. Hope and prayers is what she attributes her joyous life.

  8. good job on sharing…It is the healthy thing to do. I am sorry about this twist in the road..It is indeed scary
    Cancer used to be a death sentence…not any more…Modern science is a miracle…keep on sewing and sharing with us. Sending love to you and your family xox

  9. I am so, so sorry you both have to deal with that — whatever that turns out to be. How/why would they send those results in an email?! What is the thought process that lets something like that happen?

  10. I prayed for healing for your dear Hubby as soon as I read your post, and for strength for you and your family as you face this new challenge. You all will continue to be in my prayers daily. There are so many wonderful and caring people here who have said they are praying for you and your family that I am reminded of the verse in Matthew 18:19: Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” I know that all of us therefore join hands and hearts in prayer for your whole family.

  11. Special prayers this eveing for all of you, for we go through these crisis together. May your Dr.s continue to be wise and see all they need to see. May you continue to love and laugh together as you fight this battle. Thank you for being so open, that will help you fight. Would have agreed with all the comments but alas, no “like ” button
    I

  12. I can’t say how sorry I am to hear this news. My prayers are definitely with Roger, you and all the family. I know yo will take care of him wonderfully but also remember to take care of yourself. Love to you all.

  13. I am so so sorry to hear this news. I will of course be keeping you and your family in my prayers. On a positive note we are fortunate to be living in a time where research has advanced to curing many cancers. You have such an amazing family that will be there for each other and that will make a big difference.

  14. ((Jo and family)) – will be keeping you all in my prayers. Cling to each other in love and hope. That will make all the difference.

  15. So sorry to read this! Hopefully it is very early! You have a strong family and that helps! Hugs and prayers. Every morning, when I’m having my radiation, I pray for those I”ve promised to pray for me. Your family will now be on that list.

  16. Jo, If you haven’t already, I would suggest you pack your Bible in your bag, as well. God will be with you as you travel this road and you will need to cling to His truths. Maybe you could choose a favorite verse as your mantra. I like Deuteronomy 31:6 or Isaiah 41:10. God will use this hardship to draw you nearer to HIm and for His glory. Be strong and courageous!

  17. Jo, I know hubby will come through A-Okay! I will keep him, you and your whole family in my prayers as you go through this journey. I can tell from your wonderful writing he is worth the chase! Much love to you all.

  18. Jo, I will continue to keep you and your hubby in my prayers. I love reading your blog/journal for we do share so much. Please hold each other tight and give each a big hug. God Bless you and your family. PRAYERS!!!!

  19. This is such hard news for you. Thank you for sharing it with us all as we can pray with you and hopefully encourage you. It is true that the treatments for lung cancer and many others has improved dramatically in past years. Especially because you were able to catch this so early on, there is the reason (among many) for a solid hope of successfully winning this battle. You are both in our hearts and prayers.

  20. Dear Jo, Hubby and Kramer family,
    My heart sank as I read this post. I kept hoping that in the end, it would be an infection. As I have followed you over the years, I have learned that you are strong, not just as individuals, but as a family. You have dealt with a lot, and you will deal with this in the same way–with a positive attitude, with love and support from each other, from family and friends and from those of us who only know you from these pages.
    Along with other readers, I will be praying for all of you, as well as for the doctors and medical staff as decisions are made and treatment begins.
    With a huge hug,
    Maureen

  21. I will be praying for you all. I know personally what you are feeling right now because we learned my husband had cancer 2 years ago. Right now he is cancer free, but there is a probability that it will come back. But the Lord has been with us through it all and given us peace. We are enjoying this time in our lives and not worrying about the future. I will pray the same for you. I pray your husband will be completely healed and that the good Lord will give you comfort and peace as you walk this journey.

  22. So sorry to hear about hubby’s test results. A dear friend’s husband had a spot on his lung they couldn’t remove by operating, but they treated it with a cyber knife/radiation process. So far he has had good results. He has to return for check-ups and scans on a regular basis, but being ahead of the game is good. Will be praying for you, hubby, and the family. *** Big hugs ***

  23. My heart dropped reading your post. So happy you nagged him for that scan and for the doctor who came in on his day off. Thank God they were willing to do the scan and were quick with the results. Sending love and prayers.

  24. Praying even now!
    Isaiah 41:10
    “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

  25. My prayers are with you and your family Jo. Being a retired Cancer nurse, I am curious to know what they find….stage
    Lymph nodes, treatment, etc. My father passed away from
    lung cancer many years ago now. But depending on type,
    Stage, lymph nodes, & treatment plan…outlook can be great.
    I’d love to be kept in the loop Jo. &

  26. prayers for you all, Jo, I don’t know how you do it, but keep it up….you are strong as well as your family…keep it up, that is all I can say. again prayers for you and the hubby and the family…..
    sue from wi.

  27. I’m like so many of your readers-feeling like we are all together in your life. I “ditto” all of the earlier comments. Hugs and prayers and shared tears ……………..

  28. Jo – I am just getting caught up on reading the blog. My thoughts are with you and Roger and your family. Hopefully, this has been caught early and the treatment will be swift and painless. I will be praying for you and Roger.

  29. I am behind on blog reading and just saw this. I know the feeling of learning a loved one has cancer. Add me to the list if these praying for your family.

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