... to live with ...

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!  

John and I met with the Radiation Oncologist on April 19th, who said that he couldn't do targeted radiation to my liver without causing significant tissue damage.    

The tumor is too big and too close to the inferior vena cava, right portal vein and middle hepatic vein.  Those are the same reasons the Surgeon said she couldn't do surgery.

One nice surprise is that I was able to have an endoscopy and colonoscopy last week instead of waiting until May 11. The results of those tests indicated no cancer was found in the esophagus, stomach or colon.  This means that the cancer in my liver did not spread from another part of the body, but is a rare type of bile duct cancer in the liver.  The fancy name is: Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. 

We met with the Medical Oncologist this morning.  The only option we have is *chemotherapy with the goal of reducing the size of the tumor and symptoms related to the size of the tumor.  That will start on May 16th.  Our prayer is that, if successful, radiation and/or surgery could be done in the future. 

On Saturday, April 30, John and I will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary! No matter how sweet you might be or how easy you are to live with, 45 years is a miracle. 

OK, well, I'm neither sweet, nor am I easy to live with. Despite this, John has stuck with me and has evolved into my own personal errand boy, willing chauffeur, cheerleader and pastor.  What a combination!  I am so grateful for him.  

* Gemzar & Cisplatin 1wk x 3 followed by 1 wk rest. 

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