Bret Rodriguez

Hello all - January 10, 2013

Many of you know of my situation and diagnosis at this point. I have recently been diagnosed with rectal cancer that has metastasized in my lungs. The prognosis from the doctors isn't so great, it's God's turn!  I start intense chemotherapy and radiation to eliminate Oscar (the tumor  in my rectum) next week which will be followed by break of about six weeks and then more intensive chemotherapy.

The way I found out about this was,  after suffering with what I thought was hemorrhoids for over a year, I finally went to have them taken out  when it got to the point  where they affected my daily life. I went to a colon rectal surgeon, and since he couldn't examine me adequately given the inflammation and pain that I was in, he suggested putting me under to perform the rectal exam and at the same time do a hemorrhoidectomy and repair any fissure that had formed. That examination found what he thought was a 3 inch rectal tumor that he took of massive biopsy of. The biopsy showed adenocarcinoma to be the cancer that I have. I then started the process of MRIs CAT scans and ultimately a pet scan which showed not only that the tumor was much bigger in size than originally estimated, but that the cancer had spread, or metastasized as they call it, to my lungs. The prognosis regarding time and has been different from different doctors but none of them include longevity of any significance. Therefore it's up to the greatest physician of all to heal me. I ask all of you for your prayers for God's intervention in this situation for complete healing.

Pretty much from the moment this started, I've been surrounded by love and support  from my awesome family and friends.  I felt God's hand on this  situation beginning with the first doctor that saw me ,Dr. Sean Mayfield,  who immediately fast tracked my entrance into the University Hospital system , then with Dr. Giuseppe Gagliardi at University Hospital,  who took a beyond caring interest in my case.  From the compassion that he exudes to giving me his personal cell phone number  to use any time I've needed  with any question,  he is gone so far above the stereotypical current  medical world that I know it can only be God's involvement.  Since then,  every doctor and staff member  that have come in contact with University  has given me the feeling that my care is of paramount importance to them.  It is as if God has put  a blanket of love and care around me as I go through this journey. With Him on my side, this cancer will be toast!

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers.

Bret