Ready to roll

Just a quick update -- I am all set up and ready to start six weeks of radiation on Thursday. Still hoping for minimal discomfort, so keep that in your prayers.

Love to all.

On the right path

By now, most of you have already heard my good news this week: the results of my PET scan from Monday were good -- no evidence of disease! Looks like the chemo really did a number on the beast. Take that, you stupid, nasty, tryin'-to-kill-me cancer cells.

Next up: radiation. I have my "simulation" appointment tomorrow (Thursday). I think this is where they put you on the table and set up in the computer exactly how they want the radiation delivered each time. It should make the daily appointments (likely starting next week) quick and painless.

Please pray that my side effects will be tolerable.

That's all for now. Love and hugs to all.

Matthew 7:12

Radiate me, baby!

Finally, the next step has been determined -- I will definitely do radiation, five days a week for six weeks starting at the end of this month. I met with the radiation oncologist today to get all the details. There are, of course, risks for short- and long-term side effects, but we feel the risks are worth the benefit.

First I'll have a scan on Aug. 23 to make sure nothing has resurfaced since I stopped the chemo. I'll start radiation the next week.

Several of you have asked me why I need to have radiation when my scan is "clear." I'm supposed to be cured, right? Unfortunately, the scans can't detect the presence of individual cancer cells or even really tiny clusters of cancerous cells. So, in theory, there could still be some cancer cells floating around in there that don't show up on the scans.

Cancer treatment involves two types of therapy: systemic (like chemo and other drugs) and local (surgery and radiation). It's important to combine both types of treatment to increase your odds of survival. So I've blasted the cancer with a very effective chemo; now we'll deliver a direct knockout punch with radiation to the affected area.

Prayer requests:

-- A clear scan on Aug. 23

-- Minimal side effects from radiation

-- Strength and healing for friends fighting their own battles, specifically Christopher N. and Bill R.

The prayers are working. Keep them coming! Love to all.

M

Slow and steady

Well, Todd and I are back from seeing the wonderful folks at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. As we expected, the docs there are on the same page with Emory when it comes to surgery -- not an option for me right now.

Since I had such a great response to chemo and nothing is showing up on the PET scan or on the ultrasound I had while at MD Anderson, the surgeons would be "going in blind" to dig around in an area that has already been opened up several times. This presents several possible complications, including nerve and/or muscle damage, that both the surgeons and I feel are not worth the risk.

So for now, it looks like radiation is the next step. The MD Anderson docs are presenting my case at their weekly multi-disciplinary board meeting (I am unusual and constantly getting discussed at these things!) to make sure all the different docs from the various treatment areas are in agreement that radiation is the way to go.

I will meet with a radiation oncologist here at Emory next week to learn more about what exactly the treatment would entail. We won't start anything, however, until after my next full-body scan on Aug. 23. Assuming it is still clear, radiation will likely start soon after. If something shows up on the scan, we're back to square one and will likely consider surgery, more chemo and then radiation.

As always, thanks for all the love, support and prayers. It means the world to me.