I am writing this to inform most of you and to update some of you as to the health issues that my family is facing at this moment. First let me thank all of you that have heard about my health and have offered prayers and support for both me and my family. ALL the prayers and support are very much appreciated and needed. The following is a chronology of events that have lead to many calls and ultimately this email, so I hope you will bear with me.
Wednesday August 18th - I strained my back and went to see the doctor the next day and I was told it was muscular and would go away. In fact, a few days later it did go away, for the most part so we were not concerned.
Monday October 4th – I woke up and my back was a little more sore than normal, but I went about getting ready for work and driving in to work. By the time I got out of my truck at work I could hardly walk because the pain was so bad. At this point I looked at my options as far as care and finally headed home. Once there Lisa took me to the emergency room where about two hours later I received my first MRI. Following the MRI and the ER doctor reviewing it with the Radiologist we were informed that I had a Tumor in my spine. At this point we were referred to Dr Meic Schmidt at the U of U for evaluation.
Wednesday October 6th – We met with Dr Schmidt and we were informed that a Tumor rarely starts on the spine. It typically starts somewhere else, so off we went for more tests. This began the barrage blood work, the irony is I’m not even a Twilight fan. An appointment was made for a CT scan on the 7th and another appointment with Dr Schmidt on the 11th.
Thursday October 7th – After drinking something called a “Berry Smoothie” (this name should be outlawed) for about 2 hours I was ready for my first CT Scan. This went relatively easy and soon we were on our way out of the hospital. At about 2:00 pm I headed back to the hospital to pick something up from the lab, in route we received a call from Dr Schmidt’s office asking to see me on Friday the 8th rather than Monday the 11th. The reason for moving the appointment up was that they were getting a lot of the tests back and they wanted to get things moving.
Friday October 8th – At 8:30 am we went up and met with Dr Schmidt and we were informed that the CT scan found areas they were concerned about in my Colon, Liver, and Lymph Nodes, so the slim chance this was just the back went out the door. Dr Schmidt made an appointment for 9:30 am for us to see Dr Weis up at Huntsman Cancer institute (yes it is still hard for me to say Cancer in relation to myself but that is what I said). We met first with Dr Manning who is a “Fellow” working with Dr Weis and he did another complete review of me and started to look at what would be needed to move forward. Following this review we met with Dr Manning and Dr Weis and the following appointments were set up. October 11 Colon Biopsy, October 12th Radiation Consult (remember the back pain that started this)for back pain, October 13th follow-up appointment with Dr Weis, and last but not least October 14th Liver Biopsy (isn’t that special). At this point it looked like I might get Friday off for something unrelated to scouting.
Monday October 11th – Now if there is anyone on earth that looks forward to a Colonoscopy I will allow them to do the next one for me (truth is the prep is the tough stuff WOW). So after no solid food for two days and drinking what I will just refer to as “medicinal turpentine” we arrived at Huntsman Cancer Institute at 3:30 for the 4:00 showing. This seemed to go off without a hitch right up to the point the doctor came in and informed us that there were two large tumors in my colon and about 20 polyps. They informed us that the Biopsy’s had been sent off but they were very sure that the tumor’s were malignant. Now with pictures included we got our first look at colon cancer (and yes I used the term cancer again). One bright spot was that due to this knowledge we could probably (with Dr Weis approval) cancel the Liver Biopsy for Thursday, due to the fact that they were relatively sure the cancer started in the colon.
Tuesday October 12th – We made our first visit to Dr Poppy at the Radiation Oncology Department (ah the back pain). This was a very informative visit and we looked at our options for Radiation treatments to help my back pain. We were informed that as soon as our insurance approves it they would like to do one dose of radiation on my back to see if they can help with the pain (remember on October 4th the back pain was all we had). Dr Poppy set up a follow-up appointment for Thursday the 14th to “fit me” for the procedure (I hear they give me a Tattoo on my back to mark the spot, the first thought that came to mind was: “it’s on my lower back I hope I get to pick what tramp stamp I have to live with back there”). Then the procedure would follow a couple of days after that.
Wednesday October 13th – Well yesterday morning we arrived at the Cancer Institute at 9:45 to meet with Dr Weis and another “Fellow” of whom I am forgetting his name. At this appointment we confirmed the diagnosis from the Colonoscopy and we started to look at treatment options. These are not completely defined at this time but the main thing is Chemotherapy from here on out. The biopsy’s are not back, but there is little question of what we are up against.
So how is that for a week and a half? I never in a million years would have dreamed that I would be delivering this news, but I am and we will deal with it the best we can. I would ask that all of you please keep us in your prayers and that you will continue to rely on me for the things I have always done until I am unable to do them. All the doctors we have spoken to without question agree that the busier I stay the better the treatments will go (so your not going to get rid of me that easy). We continue to be amazed at the great people that are in our lives and we are humbled by this trial that has been placed in our path. I am working with a couple of people along with my wife and daughters to develop a Blog and to also update my Facebook page so that people can go there to get updates, so that these can become a place that I can document all the wonderful comments and experiences that we have through this process. Many people have been so thoughtful to bring in meals and to offer to do such and for now until we start into the treatments I would prefer that you keep us in your prayers and when meals and such are needed Lisa and I will let you know. Thank you again for all the thoughts prayers in our behalf.
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