Update

We're flabbergasted!   The prayers, the stacks of cards, financial gifts, flowers, meals and meal cards John and I have received are overwhelming!  Thank you to all our dear friends and family who have reached out in love to us!  You have been a huge blessing!  

Some friends have been asking for an update about my cancer journey. I've hesitated to post because there's not much to say.  It doesn't seem like much is happening.   Or is there? As it stands, the concrete things to report are that the Gastrointestinal Tumor Board did not take place, but I will be having a couple more tests on May 11th, to completely rule out a primary cancer source in the esophagus, stomach or colon. I will still consult with a Radiation Oncologist on April 19th.  There are steps that have to take place before any treatment would begin.  I visualize the "baseball in my football" getting bigger, since I feel a little worse all the time, so it's frustrating that nothing is going on. Or is there? I think there is probably something concrete or spiritual going on, behind the scenes.

To my delight, I was able to have a video visit with a Surgeon last Thursday.  She agreed with the Oncologist that the cancer is inoperable right now because it is so large and too close to vital blood vessels.  The very next day, my case was presented at a Liver Tumor Board at the medical center.  Specialists in liver tumors discussed and recommended various treatments.  They agreed that a type of targeted radiation therapy (called SBRT) would be best.  On April 19, I will be seeing a doctor that does this procedure, which is said to have the lowest risk of surrounding tissue damage and the fewest side effects.  If may take some months, but if it is successful, it is possible that surgery could be done in the future, which could have the best outcomes. My case will also be presented at another Tumor board that focuses on the Gastrointestinal system, since there is still a very remote possibility that the primary tumor could have originated in the stomach....