Great report from Biopsy!!!

The results from the biopsy taken today show no cancer in the mass on Kim's brain! It appears that the mass is the result of damage sustained during radiation treatments after brain surgery performed 8 years ago. At this time we are not aware of what kind of treatment Kim will require, but we think he will be discharged tonight. The Doctors have asked him to stay in the area for the next day or so for further evaluation. Kim is feeling a good deal of pain from the rigors of the testing he has undergone.

We cherish your thoughts and prayers. It's good to know we have so many friends interceding on our behalf. If you would like to contact Kim and Linda, you can leave them a note on this message board, but please hold off on calling them by phone for now.

Thanks so much!

Kim is going in to pre-op soon

At around 8:30 this morning Kim will go into pre-op to prepare for the biopsy procedure. Please pray along with us.

Answer to Prayer

My Dad (Don Smith) is able to fill in for Kim on his job so that Kim will not be in danger of losing it. Dad started today and is out on the road in Kim's truck now.

Biopsy is schedule for 10:45am Friday

We hope to know the results in the early afternoon tomorrow.

Biopsy details

Kim is scheduled to have a biopsy done of the mass on his brain at 10:45 tomorrow morning. Just prior to the biopsy procedure, Kim will be given a MRI of his brain. After they biopsy the mass, the Dr's should know very quickly what the substance of the mass is. These initial results will have 85% accuracy, but later lab reports will be more detailed and accurate.

The Dr's also said that the mass is diffused (ie flat or spread out). We don't really know what this means at this time.

Kim continues to remain in good spirits. Thanks again for your prayers.

The latest from Duke

Thank you so much for continuing to go before the Lord on Kim's behalf. We are greatly encouraged by the good reports today. Here's what we know:

- The Spinal Tap results confirmed that there are no metastatic melanoma cells in the spinal fluid. This means that there is not widespread melanoma of the central nervous system. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

- The substance of the mass is still unknown. We do not know if it is melanoma or not. We do know if it is benign or malignant. Kim will undergo a biopsy of the mass tomorrow (Friday). They will create an incision, drill through the skull, and then biopsy the mass.

- CLARIFICATION: We had not understood that the swelling in the brain has come from edema. There is no fluid being released from the mass. Kim's symptoms have been caused from fluid that has been displaced by the mass, but which is normally found around the brain. The fluid has put pressure on the brain which has caused Kim's symptoms. His symptoms have greatly improved since he has been on anti-swelling medication.

Kim and Linda are in good spirits and very thankful for your prayers and support through all this. Continue to pray, beginning with thankfulness as Kim reminded us to do.

Word from Duke

We still are awaiting the results of the spinal tap...and will most likely be waiting for those results until sometime tomorrow. The Drs said that this evening would be the very earliest that Kim and Linda could see any new information from the spinal tap. The spinal tap could show if there are any malignant cells present. The Drs also said that no new tests would be preformed until Friday. These tests would probably include a full body PET scan (which shows cellular metabolic activity) and a needle biopsy of the mass or the fluid around it. So, we are still in a holding pattern of waiting.

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 62:5-8

Thank you all for pouring out your hearts with us and for taking refuge in the Rock.

A Word from Kim

We just got off the phone with Kim and he had a few thoughts that he wanted to share with all of you who are praying for him. He greatly appreciates all of your prayers and encouragement.

He wanted to focus our thoughts on Phil 4.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

He said "I think it’s real critical for people to stop and thank the Lord for everything He’s given. There’s nothing that the Dr’s can do or enable the physical body to do that the Lord is
not able to do. Start with thanksgiving and make things come back to God. Starting out with thanksgiving makes all the difference. This particular weakness brings us back to God in the way of deeper dependence on him."

Waiting is not easy

We wait... and we wait. We don't really have much updated information to share at this hour; but here's what we do know.

- The neurology team has let Kim and Linda know that his symptoms (headache, tiredness, disorientation, lack of concentration etc) were due to a mass on his brain. This mass has released fluid which has caused swelling. The substance of this mass is still unknown.

- Kim had a spinal tap around 5:30pm today. The spinal tap may reveal answers as to what the mass is or what type of fluid has been released. This was a very painful procedure. Results are not back on that yet.

- While the future is unknown, the nurse who has been working with them since Kim's initial cancer has told them to expect to be there at Duke at least until this weekend.

Please continue to pray. We will update this blog as we know more details. Thank you for your support, your comments, and your prayers.

The Neurology Team is Examining Kim's Test Results Now

We don't know anything new, but do know that the neurology team is looking over Kim's results now.

Kim is in good spirits

When Kim left Beckley this evening, he was in good spirits. He said that he could already feel the love of those around him who were praying. Thanks for praying along with us.

Just before leaving he joked "the Doctors had a hard time finding my brain when they did the MRI today."

Same old Kim... always calm, warm, and joyful.

Kim Buttram.... a few pics for those who will be praying, but don't know him personally

Send a comment to Kim

I will be printing off the comments on this blog to give to Kim. So if you would like to send him a note of encouragement, feel free to post a comment.

Kim is on his way to Duke

Kim & Linda went to Duke for a check up this morning (tests included routine blood work and a brain MRI) and returned home. At work Kim had switched routes with the other driver on his truck in order to go to Duke, so he was planning to drive the truck to Ohio tonight.

Kim received a call from Duke as he was preparing to leave for his route this evening and was told that he needs to come back to Duke to be admitted into the hospital tonight. They saw something on his MRI that was important enough for them to want him to come back right away. They stated that there was an "enhancement" that could be a tumor on his brain, but didn't share more details with them. They stated that a Dr would be waiting for him when he arrived tonight and that they would begin running more tests this evening when he arrives.

In the late ‘90’s Kim had a bout with Melanoma cancer. It first appeared on his face, but later moved to his lymph system requiring neck surgery to remove tumors. It then reappeared in his brain as a tumor which was operated on and successfully removed. He recently had another skin melanoma that appeared and was removed. So far, there is no word that this is cancer, but the family has lived with the knowledge that a recurrence is possible.

Jessi’s sister, Jodi, is driving Kim and Linda down now, they left about an hour ago (8:45pm). So, we need to pray especially for Kim... and of course for Linda, who is understandably concerned... and for the entire family.

As I get information I'll try to post it here as soon as possible. I hope the blog will help keep accurate information available to you all and to everyone who will be praying for Kim in the days to come.