First post:
Dec 18, 2019 Latest post:
Jan 10, 2020
The outpouring of support has been phenomenal -almost too much to keep up with. (See journal entry #1).Thus a friend set up this CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.
The story:
On Nov 10 2019 Kelly and I returned from the trip of a lifetime, 16 days in Peru packed into an 11 pound backpack and a cross body bag. We visited Arequipa, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Chinchero, Machu Pichu, and the floating Islands of Lake Titicaca.
Upon our return, within a week I was in major GI distress. Thinking I picked up a bug in Peru, I visited a local urgent clinic and received some antibiotics and medication for symptom relief.
Still terribly ill and with lots of abdominal pain, on 12/12 I went to the ER. A CAT scan and variety of other tests discovered I was suffering from Colon Cancer that has metasticized to my liver.
Admitted immediately and now under the care of a whole battery of oncology specialists, a treatment plan has been devised to address the liver issues (most urgent) with 6 months (or more) chemotherapy to shrink/eliminate the liver tumors, and then surgery later to remove the colon mass.
I expect to be in the hospital a few more days as I finish the first round of chemo and they watch for side effects and tweak the chemical cocktail.
I am blessed by the presence of so many caring and compassionate people in my life. This site will help manage and coordinate communications and volunteer efforts going forward.
As many of you know, I have very little energy stores. So have asked for texts and uplifting memes only. Kelly has been on the phone nonstop with those who have called -I am not taking calls at this time. Hopefully the answers to many of your questions will be posted here.
