We know a bunch more now, but we don't know as much as we wish.
We got positive confirmation from the pathologist that we are dealing with adenocarcinoma which is the most common type of rectal cancer and is what the oncologist expected from the visual exams in the first place.
In a way, it's nice to know what we're dealing with, but it's a bummer (pun intended) to know that it is indeed cancer and the "worser" kind, not the "better" kind.
The plan doesn't change. I am to start Chemo on Monday 1/12 and it will continue approximately 6 weeks. This will be coupled with radiation therapy. After the six weeks we will have another PET/CT to determine what the Chemo and Radiation have done to the tumor.
Also, in the most recent PET/CT there is a possibility of "hot spots" of other cancer around the tumor outside the rectal walls, but the oncologist said these are very small and it is his opinion that these may not be cancerous and may be from the C Diff infection inflammation. In any case, it does not effect the treatment plan at this time.
We will treat for 6 weeks with Chemo and Radiation like has been planned and reevaluate at that time to see what the next step is.
Please pray that:
1) ...the Chemo and Radiation will shrink the tumor.
2) ...the tumor is "local" and that the several "hot spots" are not actually cancerous.
3) ...I will tolerate the radiation and chemo well and still be able to work and function with some semblance of normalcy.
God Bless!
Victor
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Praying daily!
ReplyDeleteDid the doc's mention what your diet was supposed to be like during your chemo, or is it simply "whatever you can keep down"?
ReplyDeletesheri
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ~Henri Nouwen
ReplyDeleteVictor, praying daily for you and Jeanah. Ellen
Docs say eat whatever, just would like to see me weigh less. I've lost about 30# in the last year, so that's good...not looking for severe weight loss but 1-2 # / week over the next year would be good. We will not only burn that tumor, but starve it! HA HA HA!!
ReplyDelete