After weeks of talking about it, tomorrow treatment begins. That isn’t to say that I have already started my path to recovery.
Some may joke and deride the notion of, “thoughts and prayers” as a fruitless means to overcome trials and heartache. That is not true (fake news!). I can tell you that the prayers and positive affirmations and fasting and hope from others have given me strength and already intervened to fight back against my cancer.
Following my initial diagnosis, my medical oncologist and surgical oncologist laid out a treatment plan centered around me having Stage III or possibly Stage IV cancer. Given the size of the tumor in my stomach its location, and results of my initial CT scan showing possible thickening of part of my small intestines, either of those two stages was the most likely scenario.
The doctor’s pressed for an additional endoscopy, with an ultrasound, additional lymph node biopsies, and probe into my small intestines, in order to establish the staging and refine my treatment plan. The initial plan revolved around perioperative chemotherapy, meaning: chemo-stomach surgery-chemo. Since I am relatively young (the average age of stomach cancer diagnosis is 68 years old) and that I am relatively fit (don’t judge me by my last marathon finish time…but I did score 99.8 out of 100 on my last Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment!).
With Stage III or Stage IV as the most likely prognosis, in addition to the more invasive endoscopy to see the inside of my stomach, I was scheduled for a laparoscopy wherein the surgical oncologist would check the outside of my stomach and adjacent organs and lymph nodes for signs of cancer.
I had the more thorough endoscopy a couple days after my first meeting with the medical oncologist. In addition to the preoperative treatment plan, the doctor set me up for genetic testing and chemotherapy orientation to be completed when I had the endoscopy results and we could meet again to discuss what was seen. I was scheduled to do all this back-to-back-to-back.
I endured the extensive blood work for the genetic testing and sat shocked and apprehensive during the chem class. But then came the follow-up visit with the doc.
As my wife and I sat in the doctor’s little office, the first words out of his mouth were, “we [referring to my treatment team of oncologists and GI doctors] are amazed at what your endoscopy revealed! Where we expected greater depth and diffusion of the tumor [given its present size], we just don’t see the cancer there. The cancer has not spread to my small intestines, either. And after going back-and-forth amongst the team, we are diagnosing you at Stage II cancer.” The primary care plan of perioperative treatment was still to be followed, but there was no need for the laparoscopy. I would need to get a chemo port placed in my chest so I can start chemo sooner than anticipated.
Now returning to the matter of “thoughts and prayers.” In the moment the doctor uttered those words, both Patty and I knew that this diagnosis was made possible by the overwhelming out pouring of love, support, encouragement, and “thoughts and prayers” and fasting from family, friends, co-workers, and our church members.
As I write this, I am preparing for my port placement. I start chemo tomorrow. I move forward with gratitude in my heart for all those who support me and offer hope and encouragement on this journey. I know my treatment will not be easy, but I have the “thoughts and prayers” of so many that I know I will not be alone.
Twentythree/5 