The “C” Word – 1 year 2 days Post Op- Timing is of the Essence

We really like our surgeon, Dr. Bastidas.  Our visits to him normally put our mind at ease.  He knows his stuff.  He can explain it really well.  He has a plan.

Not so today.  Not exactly.  Presented with the findings of the CT scan he tells us we have two options.  The first is to wait it out and see how slow growing the tumors are (indications are that these will grow very slowly).  The second being to do another surgery.  He explains the pros and/or cons of both.  Certainly any surgery brings its’ own set of risks.  You have to weigh the risk versus reward factor.  Yet getting rid of residual cells at an early stage certainly would feel better.  The problem we will have is trying to plan surgery before it is invasive of any other organs. 

George tried to pin him into a “favored” opinion, asking him, “If this were your favorite brother, what would you tell him?”  He replied, “I would let it be his decision.” 

To help us make an educated decision, he suggested we get the opinion of other experts in the disease.  The closest oncologist is Dr. George Fisher at Stanford. Dr. Fisher treated celebrities such as Steve Jobs and Patrick Swayze.  When the press found out about Patrick Swayze, he was bombarded with people wanting to be treated by him.  He ended up “closing” his practice except for patients referred by other doctors. Dr. Fisher is a personal friend of Dr. Bastidas as they set up the cancer center at the Palo Alto facility.  After seeing Dr. Fisher, we may send the records down to San Diego where the closest PMP surgeon practices at UCSD, a Dr. Lowy and his group.  That means taking a couple of days off to head down that direction to get his opinion.  These are pending referral requests from Dr. Bastidas so we will wait to hear from them. 

The second opinions, coupled with another CT scan to take place in January to see if there is any further progression of disease, will enable us to make the best decision as to when another surgery will take place or at least narrow down the time frame.  On the “plus” side is the fact that the next surgery should not be as difficult as the last one.  With any luck there won’t be any full organs removed though it is possible that a short bowel resection is possible.  Some more scraping, and more HIPEC (heated intravenous peritoneal chemotherapy) like the last time.  Overall, it should be shorter with a shorter hospitalization. 

This is the first time we left Dr. Bastidas’ office not feeling much better than when we went in.  Slightly better, but no firm plan in place just yet. No firm decision about where to go from here. 

In the meantime, George is going to file for short term disability in order to concentrate more on his personal well-being.  Physically he tires readily and though he has been back to work for eight months, it exhausts him.  Workplace morale is also fairly low and that factors into his mental and emotional well-being.  By taking work out of the picture, he will be more able to handle his health in all aspects.  He has decided to attempt to eat much healthier, cutting out much meat and eating mostly fruits and vegetables.  He has read that a vegetarian diet does help cut down cancer cells/growth.  He will have plenty of time to explore his options about healthy eating habits and make some changes.  As he says, “I have a choice here.  If eating vegetarian helps prolong my life, I will have to do it.” 

Today we also had a chance to meet up with another “walking miracle”, a friend of our who has seen more hospital time over the past 20 months.  In early 2014 he was in the hospital and/or rehab for about 3 months with heart issues and the like.  While we were at Good Sam hospital, he was also there for a few days so we got to visit with him there.  He recently underwent a very long brain surgery.  Today, we visited with him at the store that he and his wife owns.  Though there are some memory and speech issues, the fact that he is up and about and able to do sales and help out at the store is a HUGE forward step given that his surgery was within the past few months.  Two miracles between two friends.  A special bond has formed between them.  We give thanks that both George and Rob and alive – that they both have fighting spirits – and that they still have plenty of reasons to smile and laugh in spite of what they have experienced. 

 Note:  I get notes from a Facebook page called "The Whisper of God".  Yesterday and today the prayer and message were SPOT ON for what we need to hear.  Todays read:

Thought for the Day - October 2, 2015

“When we need His help, God does answer our prayers. However, He answers in His way not ours. Be patient as it may take some time for Him to work all things together to answer your prayers. Be aware because sometimes His answer comes in the least expected ways and you don’t want to miss it.”

I hope you have a miraculous day today my friends! – Elmer Laydon

“This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.” (2 Kings 20:5 NIV)

So, even though we did not hear what we wanted to hear today, it is God's way of saying, "Not yet, my son."  He has a plan, we will wait to hear it!