Brothers and Sisters:
This is to make you aware of the fact that I've been battling lung cancer since early December. There are two types of lung cancer. One type is called Small Cell and the other type is called Non-Small Cell. Of the two types, the one to get is the Non-Small Cell type because it is treatable, operable and, potentially, curable. This is the type of lung cancer I have contracted. So, that's one lucky break for this old guy!
I went through five weeks of chemo/radiation therapy treatments from late December through early February. A PET Scan is the most conclusive test there is to determine whether or not there are cancerous cells in a person's body. My last PET Scan, from about four weeks ago, showed a 50% reduction in the size of the tumor, which is located in the right upper lobe. The tumor now measures 1" x 1/2". In addition, there were improvements in the first three cancerous lymph nodes located just below the right upper lobe. That's yet another lucky break for this old guy! The surgeon fished out more tissue samples on Tuesday of this past week for additional biopsy tests to determine the next course of action. One course of action: Surgery to remove the right upper lobe and the cancerous lymph nodes. The optional course of action: More therapy treatments. The biopsy results from this past Tuesday showed cancerous activity in one of the lymph nodes -- the one closest to the right upper lobe.
As a consequence of the positive biopsy results, my surgeon, oncologist, radiologist and pulmonologist have determined to pursue the optional plan. To this end, I met with my oncologist this afternoon to go over the steps of the action plan. These steps are: (1) For the first round of therapy, I start combined chemo/radiation therapy treatments on Monday, April 4 (these combined treatments will go for three weeks; there will be a week of rest before the next round of chemo therapy, only, starts); (2) the second round will be three regiments of full-dose chemo therapy (each regiment is made up of three consecutive Mondays of therapy and the fourth Monday as an off day; the duration of the three regiments is going to be twelve weeks; in about sixteen weeks, therefore, I will complete the next two rounds of therapy); and, (3) at the conclusion of the treatments, I will go through another PET Scan to determine the efficacy of the treatments.
As always and, in particular, regarding my cancer, I've maintained a very positive attitude. I am one lucky man because, from a medical standpoint, I am in great hands. My family members and our friends are phenomenal support systems. Last but certainly not least, I am a man of faith who always, even before a short bike ride to the coffee shop, puts himself in the hands of the Lord. In closing, I ask that you please send your positive thoughts to my family and to me; and, for those of you who are so inclined, I ask that you please send us your prayers, as well, so that I -- we, in fact -- can give this Lung Cancer Bully a resoundingly unforgettable beating!
THANKS TO EACH ONE OF YOU and WOWZAA, BABY!!!
Topic: WOWZAA, BABY!!! (Read 6390 times)