The good news is I don’t have to undergo radiation therapy and my cancer is potentially curable, not just treatable. The news pretty much goes downhill after that.
It turns out the cancer is lower than the esophagus, which makes it stomach cancer. This means it is likely I will have part of my stomach removed surgically.
The potential upside of this is they MIGHT be able to do this with laparoscopic surgery, rather than cutting me open. Not all that big of an upside, but I’ll take what I can get.
Before and after surgery I will go through nine weeks of chemotherapy. They will surgically insert a chemo delivery device into my chest. The device will be attached to a pump that will keep a steady supply of chemo chemicals pumping into my system.
I will basically wear the pump. It will be attached to my waist and have a long tube that feeds the chemicals into my system. I can’t get this wet, so I have to give up my 40 minute daily swim. I’ll probably replace the swim with a brisk walk. Exercise is an important part of getting well.
A new round of chemo will be administered three times over a nine week period. Each time I get a fresh jolt of chemo I’ll feel crappy. When I start feeling better I’ll get more chemo. The whole thing is going to make me nauseous and tired.
Though the doctor was a little vague on the specifics, it looks like I can expect my hair to fall out. I am seriously considering shaving my head and writing CANCER on my forehead so people don’t mistakenly think I am one of those guys who shaves his head because he thinks it looks sexy.
This Friday, in the morning, I will meet with Dr. Cook to discuss the surgery to implant the chemo delivery system. Friday afternoon I will have a PET scan to confirm the cancer hasn’t spread and to help them refine the treatment regime.
Though there is much more information that we haven’t had time to absorb, this is the nuts and bolts of what we know so far.
My biggest concern is that if my beard falls out people will realize I grew it to conceal that I have no chin. This was a secret I thought was safe. Drats!
So good news/bad news. The good news seems really, really good. But the bad news is how awful you’ll probably feel periodically over the next several weeks. Hair will grow back, and people will still love you even if you’re bald for a awhile.
I”ve read about foods that are typically more appealing and helpful while enduring chemo. With Anne as your chef, hopefully it won’t be that bad. Good luck!! We’ll hope to see you after the 9 weeks of not feeling well.
I imagine those pesky cells have already started packing their bags.
The news is mostly good. The chemo sucks, but the if you can have the surgery through a scope that is huge and recovery will be much easier than from a large incision. Not having radiation is actually great too. I know they’ve come miles in what they can do with radiation, but it still can have unwelcome side effects as well.
Linda is right, there are a lot of dietary tricks people on chemo use to help them with the nausea as well as support the immune system. The hair thing is temporary. Doubt you’ll lose your beard actually. Perhaps, though some people don’t even loose much or any hair. Depends on the drugs, genetics, etc…
Keep the good attitude you have going in, that’s so important to the sucess of any therapy.
Linda – There are advantages to being married to a nutritionist. Anne is already pulling together meals with cancer fighting carniferous foods. We’re about to eat more cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cabbage. She also thinks I need to be fattened up, which means ice cream.
…
Marcia – Those little carcinogens are packing their bags for sure. But I don’t think they’re ready to take the train ride to oblivion quite yet. We’re going to have to buy them a ticket first, and those tickets come at a price.
…
Ed – You know more about this stuff than I do, so it’s encouraging that you think the news is mostly good. I was taken back a bit with the news I was going to lose part of my stomach. It’s not that I’m particularly fond of my stomach, it’s just that I’ve gotten used to having it available.
Well, for you proofreaders,I’m actually filling Gary with cruciferous veggies as well as flooding his body with many other cancer-fighting phytochemicals from lots of other fruits and veggies as well as mushrooms and soy products.
And your supportive comments are filling him with cancer-fighting compounds as well.
Thanks to all of you for your support and for continuing to ask for the best possible outcome for Gary.
Let’s hear it for crucified vegetables!
Yea for crucified vegetables.