The Challenge Ahead!

  Hello Again!!! July 18, 2017.....Tuesday Wow, can you believe this weather!! What winter?? Bad??? Wha?? Anyway, had my appointment with the radiation oncologist today, Dr Terry Stucklass. She was fabulous, exactly what I want in a doctor. A great communicator, explained things, options thoroughly, straight to the point, and a genuinely nice person. The Coles Notes version of the meeting is that I am going to have 5 straight days of intensive radiation. One week to rest up, then surgery is booked ( as of now) for August 16th.  I have to have a CT scan within the next 5 days to pinpoint where I will exactly receive the radiation. I will be tatooed and those markings will be used for each session. She confirmed that this is Stage Three cancer, which I already knew. Hopefully when the nodes are removed during surgery and sent to pathology, it will remain Three. She did say that on my prior CT Scan and MRI cancer was not not detected in other areas. She said our goal here i

                                                                  Hello Again Sorry to take so long between posts but there hasn't been anything to report. Things are moving too slowly for my liking but I have to be patient. Anyway, yesterday I had another colonoscophy. This was done by the surgeon, Chris Smith, he is a nice guy and instills confidence in me. He talked to Sharon and I after and indicated that this is a very complicated surgery, very serious indeed, but he believes it is doable. During the surgery he may have to change plan as he sees fit, this could include the possibility of a colostomy. At this point, whatever it takes I am willing to do. He is hoping that he can avoid this as it is such a change to lifestyle. I am eager to get this heavy surgery done so I can begin the process of recovery but right now I don't know when it could be. If radiation is not recommended, it could be within two weeks. Sharon has been a great advocate for me, calling