Joanie Anderson

As many of you know on May 6th, 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 4 (metastatic) lung cancer and it was predicted that this would probably kill me within a year. Well, not one to follow the predicted path I am still here walking this earth today. I've been truly blessed to have all these additional days. But I found out a little over a week ago that the beastie cancer had again reared it's ugly head into my life with a vengeance. 


Last Thursday (October 26th) I received the results of my brain MRI and found out that I had two tumors in my brain. Both felt to be metastases from my primary lung cancer. One is fairly small (< 1 cm.), but the other is about 3 cms. and located at the back of my brain (the left occipital lobe for the anatomically inclined). And so, I am scheduled to have supratentorial bone flap craniotomy for excision of brain tumor tomorrow morning at MD Anderson in Houston. Wow, it's been a whorl wind week and I admit I'm still trying to process all of this.


There's really no way to sugar-coat this, it's not good, actually bordering on bad. But I'm at a premier cancer center, I feel real good about my surgeon (just found out today that people come from around the world to see him. I have an incredible support system, I feel good, I'm healthy and bested this bully once already.


And no, even though I'm not wallowing in a perpetual pity party, I totally see the seriousness of this. All I can do is take one day at a time and see what adventure awaits on this path I am now on.


Please forgive the basicness of this initial post, I wanted to let you know and it's almost time for my surgery. I'll have time to prettify it later. Take care.