Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Diagnosis

The bad news is stage IV rectal cancer.  Spread throughout my liver.  50% survival rate for 5 years.  Not quite what I expected to hear today.  But there it is.  We start with a PET scan just to be sure it isn't anywhere besides the rectum and liver and then after my trip I get to do chemo and radiation.

Good news is the chemo drugs for rectal cancer do not make your hair fall our.  Guess that means I won't be dying it red and cutting it short.  And my girlfriend doesn't have to shave her head!  I was so looking forward to all the fun hats I was going to get :( 

Other positive note is that the chemo drugs for rectal cancer tend not to make you really sick.  None of the nausea and vomiting you think of when you think of chemo. 

So it really isn't good news.  But it still could be a lot worse.  I am leaving on the 11th for London and Paris, will be back on the 19th of September and the fight will start the week of the 22nd.  I will have a PET scan done before I leave and as soon as I get back the surgeon will put in the chemo catheter and I will meet with my new cancer team that week.  Dr. Dobson my surgeon will be putting together the cancer team.  He has assured me that if for any reason I don't like any of them to let him know and he will replace them with someone I do like, and that includes him.  So far I like Dr. Dobson and believe he will be as aggressive as possible.  And that's what I want.  Aggressive.  We're going to go after this with everything we possibly can.

So please, keep Mark and me in your prayers.  I am in awe at the great support system I have - from my LOC church family to the Love, INC family to all my friends and family.  I couldn't make it through this journey without you.  Thank you for being there for me.  You are truly wonderful.

Love,
Millie

1 comment:

  1. I admire your courage and sense of humor in the midst of this news. I think that the incredible support system you have is a testament to the way that you have cared for friends in the past. You are not alone!

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