Life Changes Update

Well, I said I’d let everyone know the news.  So here is the update on the Mardi Gras of fun and frivolity that has become my life.

I went to see an oncologist this morning.  My bride came with me, and so did my wonderful sister, who drove out from California.  We sat down to discuss what lies ahead.

Here’s what I learned just before making the drive.  As part of the drill, I had to drive to two different radiology centers to pick up my CT scans and analyses.  The latest of the two was fun and informative reading.  Guess what I found out?  Ladies and gentlemen, I have hit the trifecta.  One little detail my urologist neglected to mention when he referred me to the oncologist is that in addition to the new growth that has appeared where my cancerous kidney used to be, I now have colon cancer (and yes, to answer your question, I did get a colonoscopy, which was done about three years ago).  Add that to the bladder cancer that has been recurring, and there are now three different malignancies competing to kill me. 

Good lord.
So.  With CT scans in hand, we sat down with the doctor to go over our options.  My evaluation of them in my last update, wherein I described my choices as likely ranging from “not-so-good to really bad,” turns out to have been wildly optimistic.  The only real question I am facing is this:  how much of whatever months I have remaining will I allow the doctors to take over?  It is really obvious at this point that if I give the word, they will take over 100% of it.  My inclination is to not let them do that.  Maybe there is a happy medium.  My oncologist seems to be sensitive to my concerns.  So we’ll see.

I will need more information before I can decide.  More tests lie ahead.  Among other things, we have to find out whether the cancer in my colon is the same type of cancer that is in my abdominal cavity.  If it is, that indicates one course of treatment.  If it’s not, then another course is indicated.  Both courses ultimately lead to the same place, though, and in fairly short order.  The doctor was very clear about that.

Over the past few days I have been contacted by so many people who’ve told me stories about this relative or that friend who was once given just months to live and wound up surviving for years.  It happened to my very own mother in law, who was once assured that she had only weeks and wound up living for another ten years.   I would like to believe my prognosis might stand a chance of falling into that kind of realm.  I don’t know if it does or not.  But regardless of whatever does lie ahead, my intention is the same as it was before:  to make the absolute best of it. 

In the ultimate sense, there is no way to “beat” this cancer.  But nor do I have to let it take over the time I have remaining.  And there are things I still plan to do.  That will be my fight—to do those things.

I am grateful to those of you who’ve reached out with words of support and wisdom.  Watch this space for continued updates.

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You can find the entire series of blog posts on my medical journey on this page:  My Medical Travails:  Adventures in the Toilet Zone.  And of course, I invite you to check out my author's page, where you can learn about my novels, see critic and reader reviews, download sample chapters, and find purchase links:  www.forrestcarr.com.