On December 3rd, we got the news that Brendan has cancer.

He had been having some pain around his jaw and after having his first migraine, an ultrasound in August showed he had a salivary gland tumor. His biopsy came back benign for it and a nodule in his thyroid (which we question now). He had the tumor removed in November and then... the news. I read the report on my phone while standing in our bedroom. We had just gotten back from his follow up appointment for surgery. Brendan was cleaning up an accident from our dog who recently hurt her back, because of course that happened. (She's ok and improving!)

I was in shock reading the word "carcinoma" over and over again. Reading that the results would be sent to Mayo Clinic to get a more definitive diagnosis on the type of cancer. How do I tell him? And I definitely needed to wait a minute because telling him while he's cleaning up dog poop is not ideal. It took me a few tries to get words out. The pathology report said... Salivary gland carcinoma. Suspicion for lymphovascular invasion... We cried and hugged. And cried some more. Definitely crying a lot these days.

The doctor called a few hours later. Brendan said his tone had changed completely from the appointment earlier in the day to the phone call. He mentioned radiation. We decided to tell the kids that night. More tears and hugs.

Days continue on with no answers, while we push for the doctor to order the PET scan and oncology referral. For whatever reason, they didn't think insurance would approve the PET scan without the Mayo Clinic results. It's cancer.. regardless of the type.. and did you even try? No they hadn't. Because, once they put in the prior authorization, insurance approved it in less than a day. Yesterday, thankfully, Brendan got a call from his oncology coordinator and the PET scan was moved up to the 19th (from the 26th). And he has an appointment to meet with his oncologist on the 23rd. It finally felt like progress had been made yesterday.

Today, we got the Mayo Clinic results - Salivary Gland Secretory Carcinoma. It's very rare and was first written about in 2010. The prognosis is extremely good if there are no lymph nodes or metastasis. The first report indicated the cancer went to the border of what was taken out. The surgeon stated he was doing everything he could to preserve Brendan's nerve so it seems he left some on the nerve, not knowing it was cancer. With the suspicion of lymphovascular invasion, we have some concern it wasn't just in his salivary gland. Right now, the plan is radiation and potential repeat resection. The PET scan will tell us if he needs surgery again and anything else.

I've started this GoFundMe for a variety of reasons but the primary one being to take some stress off of Brendan and make sure he doesn't have to stress about working when he has doctor's appointments/radiation and whatever else is needed. His radiation oncologist is about 40 minutes away and we now have a referral to University of Michigan which is 2.5 hours away and don't have the resources needed for gas to get there. Our budget is pretty tight and obviously already impacted by surgery (and he had Covid the week before, poor guy). We are working on ways to get some financial assistance through other means but this is something I can do now to try and help, in addition to anything I sell through my small business.

We are both so thankful for your help. This is a very difficult time but it would be so much harder without you all. I know we have so much support right now from our friends, family, and community. Thank you all for your kind words, good vibes, prayers, and generosity.

Love, Kara