No doubt that in writing this I am joining a long list of cancer patients who dreaded this task. My joy at reaching 70, and describing my life as full of joy, stability, and fulfillment would have been my preferred message. But it looks like that journey in this new decade will take me on an unexpected path. As many of you know I have been recently diagnosed with bile duct cancer. This has made me take the back seat to my normal life in the past two months and I have been home between doctor appointments while they determined the origin of my cancer and treatment options.
Bile duct cancer is very difficult to diagnose and equally challenging to treat. My doctors described my cancer as aggressive, originating in the bile duct and one that has migrated to the liver. Treatment is possible but it will be a long road ahead for me and Marly. My chemo treatment begins next Thursday. It will be six months of a three week cycle of chemo infusion on day one, followed by another infusion on day eight. Week three there is no treatment and I rest before the cycle starts again. My oncologist will monitor how I am reacting to each treatment and after three months will assess how much tumors have shrunk and how I am doing. If results are encouraging, we will continue and if not, we will adjust. At this time there are simply too many unknowns to know which path we will follow.
You all know I have a strong will and of course my plan is to kick this thing as much as possible! I am blessed to have a supportive and committed spouse with me and together we will do what is necessary to keep me going in the right direction.
Our plan is to periodically update this Caring Bridge page and keep you as informed as best we can. Communication is always important and I appreciate your many kind and thoughtful messages. They mean so much to me!
We will be in touch soon and please feel free to send your comments/thoughts via this site.
CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network dedicated to helping family and friends communicate with and support loved ones during a health journey. Learn more about CaringBridge.
