Health Update 1-22-09

I went to the oncologist today and this was my last appointment before the start of the chemo so I thought I'd give you an update.

After 2 CT scans, a PET Scan, an MRI and innumerable blood tests here's what we knows.  As mentioned before this is stage 4 metastatic colon cancer.  The tumors in other parts of the body were thrown off from the colon, so by removing that section of colon through surgery, hopefully it's not throwing off any new cancer cells and hopefully we won't get any new tumors, although that could happen.  I have 2 marble sized lesions in my left lung and 2 larger tumors in the liver.  Back when I was in the hospital my surgeon said that he saw a tumor the size of a grapefruit in my liver.  That's not the case.  Lynette and I have joked that the surgeon is not originally from America so maybe he has some of his American citrus fruits confused.  I have one tumor that is roughly 5.5cm x 5.5cm and another slightly smaller tumor in the liver.  So, I don't know - maybe it's a small clementine sized tumor. 

The doctor explained that the scans can only pick up tumors that are a certain size, so there are probably cancer cells in other places of the body that we just can't see.  This is why this won't be treated with surgery - chemo is a systemic treatment that will treat all the cancer.

I did have a powerport put in my chest on Tuesday of this week.  If you are unfamiliar with that (which I was) it's a literal port that is just below my collar bone on the right side and this is where they will insert the needle each time for the chemo.  A line runs from there to a vein or artery or something near my heart so that the chemo can get dispersed the best that way.  The reason they do the port is so as not to use up my veins with IV's all the time. 

Chemo starts next Tuesday 1/27 and I'll go in for that every other week, and it will be on Monday's after that.  They said I'll be in there on Monday's for 4-6 hours, but I can take reading material and my laptop to work on sermons.  Then, before I leave, they give me a pump which will supply medicine over a 46 hour period and I'll go in 2 days later to have it removed.

So that's what we know for now.  I'm feeling pretty good these days - the installation of the port was a day surgery so that kind of wiped me out for a couple of days but I'm feeling good today.  I'm even planning on going to watch my son wrestle tonight. Chemo is a whole new phase and we'll see how it goes from there.  Thanks for your support and your prayers.

Comments

[Jan]

David, I pastor two Seventh-day Adventist churches in Wales, Cardiff and Newport (an American ex-pat). I'm really appreciating your witness as you and those you love go through this ordeal. As you can imagine, your story reminds me of hospital visits to members and friends who have endured cancer. Last Saturday I visited a friend who is half-way through RT for a cancerous lump in his throat. It was discovered last November. He has had some sickness from the treatment, but otherwise has a good prognosis. Thankfully, it did not effect his vocal cords. They removed it with his tonsils. He will also need chemo, as a few positive cells remained. My friend is not a professing Christian, however he is learning new lessons in the school of prayer, he told me with a smile.

My wife is a radiographer, working for Breast Test Wales, a mobile cancer screening program. I grow to hate cancer more each day.

I was curious when I read your going to work on sermons with your laptop during treatment. Tell us how that goes. I wondered if I would even be pastoring if I were in your position.

God bless you with all you and your family need.

[Pregador27]

JB, I will remember you in prayer. May God give you comfort in this time so that you may still enjoy your time with your family and His Word. He is a God of victory!

[Liz Reardon]

Hello Dave,

Thank you so much for the updates. My husband Mike went through a bout with cancer in 2005 and also had a port. It made the treatments so much easier for him. He had a 24 hour chemo treatment seven days a week. One week on and one week off. He also had radiation twice a week for 8 weeks. He has been cancer free for three years now and has yearly pet scans.

We are praying for you. Please tell Lynette I said hello. You have many paople who care a great deal for you in Orange Park, Middleburg and Fleming Island.

Love and prayers,
Liz Furlong Reardon

[Angie Sutton]

I second what Liz said about people here in OP, M/b, and FI caring about you guys and praying for you. Angie Sutton

[stephen shields]

david, i am humbled by your strength through this challenge. you are in my prayers.

[Chris Brauns]

I am making your posts a priority and will print one out to be reminded to pray for you as a family.

There is much many will learn from God's grace at work in your life.

[KyleNYC]

Hi David,

My name is Kyle Yancy and I've written on here before. I too, have colon cancer, albeit Stage 3B that moved into the neighborhing lymph nodes. I decided to "defeat" my cancer by going an alternative route and helping the body boost the immune system. No, this isn't quackery. As a matter of fact, the doctor that is treating me is a Christian by the name of Nicholas J. Gonzalez. He is located in Manhattan and his number is 212 213 3337. His website is www.dr-gonzalez.com. My email address is kyle.yancy@yahoo.com. Please feel free to write Dr. Gonzalez or me should you feel the need. I'm praying for you brother and I know that God will work it out. Take care and God bless.

[Rong]

David, it's been a while since I've visited your blog. What a blow it is to read of your current situation, but I take great joy and encouragement in reading your positive approach. I pray that our Lord gives you the tenacity and strength to meet each phase of your treatment head on and with out reservation always resting in His love.

And please do keep us all posted. As has been said, you have many people praying for you.

[Milton Stanley]

Thanks for the update, David. The Stanleys continue to pray for you and your family. Peace.

[colon cancer help]

i will definitely start praying for you. i will continue coming to your blog for updates.