Jig. Day 10: A Glimmer of Hope

Yesterday afternoon, we finally got the biopsy results for the mass in Jig's throat. It appears to be an infected polyp and is the main reason for Jig's symptoms of hypersalivation and foaming at the mouth. The bad news is that it is not possible to remove it surgically. This also means that the location of the primary tumour that has metastasized in his lungs is still unknown. Rory has proposed starting a new course of treatment to try to reduce the polyp with steroids and a further course of antibiotics. The plan is to re-xray his lungs in about six weeks if he continues to do well to see whether the nodules have grown/increased. Unfortunately, they are too widespread to be dealt with surgically, but it is felt that we might then have some idea of what sort of tumour we are dealing with.
There are still so many unknowns and 'what ifs' but, several positives have come out of this. The obvious one is, that by suggesting re-xrays in six weeks, the inference is that Jig already has a 100% increase in the time he has left when compared with the original prognosis. There is also the chance that his new drug regime will have some effect on the nodules and the still undiscovered primary tumour.
There are no guarantees, but I feel that there is an outside chance to prolong Jig's life beyond what seemed possible two weeks ago and to maybe play a proactive role in the battle against the big 'C'.
I know that quality of life plays a big part in all this and that I will have to make decisions in the future on the modes of treatment that may be available. I don't want my lovely boy to go through discomfort and pain just to give him a little more time, but, if there is the chance of seriously prolonging his life, then I will look at all the possible alternatives.
At least for the time being, we have hope, and just maybe, Christmas won't be cancelled after all.