Update for the Next Phase

Hey everybody.  Thought I would do another post to update everybody on Phase 2 of my treatment.  I have to admit that I was wrong about what is going to come next.  I would’ve bet money that Radiation therapy is what’s next, but now that we’ve met with both the Radiologist and my Surgical Oncologist, we know that surgery is the best option.

As we’ve said in previous posts, they noticed new bone growth, which was good.  The bad part of it is that there wasn’t enough bone growth for Radiation therapy.  If you were to look at my most recent scans, it is almost like my pelvic bone is broken.  There is bone there, but since there wasn’t enough, the remainder of the tumor is what’s filling the gap.  This is also why the pain has gotten worse (although not as bad as when I was diagnosed).

Based on that, if I were to do Radiation, it would stop the bone growth that is still going on, which is something we don’t want.  So after consultation among the team of doctors on my case, they felt that surgery would just be best (especially since I might have had to do surgery after radiation anyways).  The process is actually pretty interesting.  They are going to remove the part of the bone that has the tumor (including the tumor) and replace it with a cadaver’s bone.  They will then put metal plates around it for strength and stability.  What they expect is that as I heal, my bones will regenerate the bone and bring it back to life.  Pretty cool.

The surgery itself is a big deal.  Pelvic surgery of any kind is a tricky thing to do, but I was told that if I had to have a surgery, mine is one of the easier ones, not like a complete replacement or reconstruction surgery.  The surgery itself will take about 4 to 4 ½ hours.  I’ll be recovering back on the 11^th floor at UMH (I requested this so that I could have all my favorite nurses again).  I’ll probably be there for 3 or 4 days and then, depending on how I am responding to everything, I will either be sent home or to a rehab facility where I’ll probably go through physical therapy.

I gotta admit that I am a bit scared (I haven’t had a real surgery since who knows when), but I’m more scared about the post-operative pain.  I just hope that it’s not as bad as what I am thinking it could be.  Thankfully, I have a great support system in my wife, my parents and my friends and family.

That’s about it for now.  Just wanted to update everyone on what’s next.  Know for now that I’m ok and enjoying my little break from any kind of treatment.  Thanks again to everybody out there.  All of your well wishes and prayers have been very much appreciated.  I truly and sincerely thank you all.

One Long Year

Hey everybody.  I know I haven’t posted in a while, but after yesterday’s final treatment, I wanted to share some thoughts.

It has been a long year to say the least.  I remember back when I was diagnosed (February 14^th), having cancer wasn’t so bad (don’t ask me why it felt that way), but having to through 17 treatments……that’s when the tears started flowing.  I just didn’t know how I was going to make it through a full year of chemo.  There is one thing I didn’t count on though, and that is all of you.

I was and am still amazed at the amount love and support from all of you.  Both friends and family have always been willing to talk when I wanted too, and even to just back off, if that’s what I needed.  I cannot tell you how much that has meant to me over the past year.

I also want to give a big thank you to all of nurses that have been with me as well (Sylvester – Deerfield Beach, Sylvester Miami – CTU and UM Hospital – Floor 11 North).  These men and women are unparalleled in what they do.  They are amazing people who have endless compassion and a nack for cheering people up when they are at their most vulnerable.

The other two people I have to give a special thank you are to my incredible wife Amy, and my father Neil.  Without these two people, there is no way I could’ve gotten through this.  There is absolutely no way I can ever truly thank them.  Amy / Dad, I love you both more than I can say.  Thank you!!

I know Amy talked about the next course of the treatment, so I won’t go into that now.  When we know more, we’ll update everyone.

Thank you again to everybody.  It is so very much appreciated.

Scott

Hooray!! Today is the last chemo treatment!

Hello friends and family!

The last chemo treatment is underway!  Today is an outpatient treatment, so we should be done by about midnight.  I'm amazed by his strength and courage - he's been so brave and such a fighter.  I'm more proud of him that I can put into words.

Scott has plans to write a big post in the next day or so to close this chapter of his journey.  In the meantime, a quick update about next steps:

We have an appointment with the surgical oncologist on 11/14, where we will hopefully make the final decision to proceed with radiation.  We meet with the radiologist for another consultation on 11/18.  We'll be able to update everyone around that time.  Radiation (if that's what he's going to do) won't likely start until the first week of December, so he is looking forward to going to a break.  I guess we'll have to rename the blog to "Scott's Radiation Adventure" at that time.  :)

I can tell you one of the first things he's going to do (after a couple weeks and his counts are up) is go to a Movie!  He's had to refrain from going to Movie Theaters since starting chemo.  I forsee a Thanksgiving movie (or two) in our future. 

We hope all is well with all of you.  Talk to you soon!
Amy