Okay, the PET scan results are basically: Yup, that was a malignant lump that was removed, and there seems to be one location that lit up on the scan (meaning it showed cancerous activity) — the base of the tongue near where the left tonsil was (he had his tonsils out as a kid, but this type of cancer can hang out in the place where the tonsil used to be). SUPER importantly, the scan did NOT show any metastatic activity to any other part of the body, thank God and whoever else people prayed to (Tim's very Catholic brother told us that St. Peregrine is who to pray to when you have cancer, so thanks, St. P, I guess).

Anyway, the result wasn't my dream result of "All the cancer was removed with the lump," but we honestly didn't expect it to be. However, this really seems like a very, very good result. The cancer is very localized, which should make it easy to zap with radiation.

Next steps are to talk to his ENT, and Tim has another biopsy scheduled in 2 weeks so they can biopsy the precise spot. And then he gets handed off to an oncology team.

I'm...as relieved as I can be when cancer is in play. Maybe I can dial back the Ativan dose. (I've seriously been taking it 3 times a day for the last 5 days to keep from completely melting down.)

That’s great to hear, Steph!

Woohoo! Fuck off, cancer.

It's still lingering, but now we know where it is, so the sniper is getting ready.

In unrelated news (or related only in the sense that this is a thing Tim is doing), yesterday Tim started writing fanfic for the podcast Midnight Burger. I'm so proud.

That sounds very, very encouraging, Steph and like radiation will do the job. Continued ~ma Ohio way.

Oh phew that’s good to hear Steph. Still sucks (radiation to the throat/tongue can be nasty) but way better than it could’ve been!

That is a good report, Steph. Continuing the ~ma for quick and effective treatment.

Glad for Tim's good result but wishing it was one-and-done for him.

I remember my mom's cancer required a lot of radiation in her throat which made eating difficult. Lots of Ensure.

Wishing you both lots of get-through-this.

Glad for good results, Tep! Continuing Tim~ma. And yay fanfic!

Also glad to hear M is taking steps however small, yay Magic!

I'm still eyeing Dungeon Crawler Carl on your rec, askye, but it's gonna have to take a backseat until my TBR is not quite so loomy. Two books I'm pretty excited about on my hold list just came available, Automatic Noodle (I mostly love the title, but I always enjoy Annalee Newitz so I know it will be good) and Zomromcom from the author of Spoiler Alert which I expect to be very fun

I think Charlie Parker moved in next door. Someone is going ham on the alto sax over there.