Welcome to the reactivation of my old "Blogger Burt" site.
I've decided to use this site to record personal information about my/our journey in dealing with colon cancer, including insights from Scripture and examples of expressions of support from friends and family. There may also be occasional posts about work, travel, and family.
Beginning with a colonoscopy in January, we have been on a journey that has moved from a routine colonoscopy to the discovery of cancer cells and related surgery and chemotherapy.
On January 22 I had the colonoscopy (Dr. Bruce Fletter) during which a cancerous polyp was discovered.
This led to colon surgery (Dr. Fletter) on March 3. The doctor removed about 1/3 of my colon along with 26 lymph nodes, 2 of which contained cancer cells. The discovery of cancer cells led to the recommendation for consultation with with an Oncologist, Dr. Eric Batts, on March 17. Dr. Batts recommended a CT and scheduled it for March 23.
The CT scan revealed a spot on the liver. They could not tell from the CT scan if the spot is cancerous or just a cyst, so an ultrasound was done on the liver and related organs on Thursday, March 26.
While waiting for the results of the ultrasound, I had outpatient surgery (Dr. Fletter) to install a port for beginning a 6-month regimen of chemotherapy on March 27. Chemo was to begin on Monday, March 30. It is administered in three day blocks, every other week for 6 months.
At the March 30 appointment, we learned that the spot on the liver was not detected by the ultrasound. This could mean that the spot is not there (many friends were praying for healing) and was a technological error in the CT scan or that it is present but not visible to ultrasound.
Dr. Batts recommended that we do an MRI to look at the area more closely. Consequently, chemotherapy has been delayed for a week. The MRI is scheduled for Monday evening, March 30.
If there is no cyst or if there is a non-cancerous cyst, the treatment protocol will still be for six months but labeled as "curative." It there is a cyst and it is cancerous, the treatment protocol is referred to as "palliative," requiring a more extensive level of care.
While we're not sure what is the outcome of the MRI nor of my tolerance to the first round of chemo which is now scheduled to begin on Monday,April 6, we are sure of God's grace, faithfulness, and healing mercies.
Your prayers are especially appreciated for the MRI tonight at 10:10 PM and next Monday at 9:45 AM when I begin chemotherapy. I am so grateful for Marlene's love and support. She is alongside me each step of the way.
