Rob Hanson

"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together-there is something you must always remember.  You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is even if we're apart- I'll always be with you." 


-Pooh


Around Easter Rob was having pain in his hip and lower back which lead to physical therapy and no relief.  As the spring progressed he continued to search for answers on what seemed like never ending pain. Near the end of May he went in for a cat scan that showed spots of concern near his hip, liver and throat. The oncologist, Dr Winchel,  then ordered a PET scan and biopsy which determined Esophageal cancer that spread to his bones and liver. With that involvement it is considered stage 4.  While there isn't a cure for this, he had several options to start treatment. Immediately he began a 10-day radiation cycle on his hip to address the severe pain.  This brought a little relief and also helped him get some much-needed sleep. However, on June 23rd he was admitted to the hospital for the first time due to pain.  Although the radiation seemed to help it was not enough to address the level of pain, he was in.  Over the next 4 days while at the hospital they got him fluids, completed another set of scans and got him on a strict pain regimen. This led him to get strong enough to discharge Sunday June 28th so that he could start Chemo on June 29th.   He is on one week, off one week for 4 weeks, at which point we will reevaluate. He seemed to be tolerating the chemo and radiation at first but after a week was back in the hospital.  This time due to his inability to swallow and keep enough food and liquids down. Now admitted back to the hospital for a second time on July 8th, they put a stint in his esophagus to help him swallow and also did a blood transfusion as they found out he was anemic. The doctors have prescribed him a steroid to hopefully help give him energy. They are currently working on getting his pain back under control, getting him up and eating/drinking before they can discharge him from the hospital with the hope that he can start his next round of Chemo on Monday July 13th.  As you can see, it has been a rollercoaster of events.  We will try and keep this updated on a weekly basis. 

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Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.