Further Developments

Over the Easter weekend, we were waiting for results from the liver biopsy that I had on Good Friday. Dr. Batts called with the news this noon that the small spot that had showed up on the CT scan and the MRI is cancerous. 

This moves us into a new area of discussion, testing, and treatment. The situation now includes the following.

Yesterday, Monday, I was hooked up to a chemotherapy pump. After a four-hour infusion in the cancer center, I went home with a continual infusion of the chemotherapy for the next 46 hours. The infusion pump will be removed tomorrow, Wednesday. It's a portable thing that can be fit in a sport jacket pocket. It just means that I'm dressed better than most when I'm out and about. We are currently planning on this for the next three months--or possibly six months.

At the three month point, liver surgery will likely be recommended to remove the spot. At that time. we will also be able to see how the spot has responded to the chemo, or if there are other spots in other places.

Because the liver has become involved, we will be working with our local oncologist in getting a second opinion. This will be as soon as possible through the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where we will seek recommendations on treatment options.

As we look at the developments of these past months, we are surprised at how rapidly the situation has escalated. From a routine colonoscopy at the end of January, to colon surgery on March 3, to multiple tests (CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, fine needle biopsy), to the first chemotherapy treatment this week, and now toward possible liver surgery. 

We remain grateful for the fine medical and spiritual support we are receiving. In going through this journey, we find help in Scripture, prayer, music, and the support of family and friends. The following quote about attitude has been on my mind today.

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.” 
Charles R. Swindoll