The Challenge Ahead!

Radiation Done !!!!!!!! This has been a bit of a tough week mentally! The actual radiation wasn't too bad, but all the info about upcoming things was a little overwhelming at times. The above is my selfie after the meeting with the Medical Oncologist.... The above was a card that I received from Adrienne's friend that gave me a great laugh and expressed how I felt all at the same time!! Anyway, settle down John... My surgery is scheduled for Monday morning at 11AM. Too much information to share from this past week, suffice it to say that it is a very complicated surgery on Monday with many possibilities. I may wake up with an ileostomy, a colostomy, ( both possible, permanent or temporary { up to 2 years } ), or wake up with neither. The recovery should be about 2 months at which time I will begin chemotherapy. For chemo, I will have a port inserted into my chest through which I will receive the drugs every 2 weeks for 6 months.The drugs take about 2 days to diff

NYC.....when we turned 60!!! Anyway, been a bit slack here lately because not much to report. Funny, that when I was writing Sharon's blog, I was really on top of it. This Monday coming ( Aug 7 ) I begin radiation for 5 straight days. Tues morning I have to go hospital for my pre-admission appointment ( 2 to 4 hours ), followed by radiation. Next weekend I get a break for 2 days and then on Monday, bright and early, I have my surgery. I believe it will be a 5 to 6 hour surgery followed by 7 to 10 days in hospital. The radiation is being done at HSC and surgery at St Clare's. In among all this I have to meet with the Medical Oncologist. The pathology for what they remove during surgery will tell the tale, hopefully it will be positive news and the chemo will be effective. Apart from this, Sharon and I have keeping a normal routine. I have been feeling good. If I remember, next weekend I will update this. Take care and thanks for all your support and prayers. Jo