At the end of December 2022, Marv was diagnosed with metastatic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the right lung. Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer. It grows rapidly and often spreads quickly (metastasizes) as well.
Some of you know that he hasn't been feeling good since end of the summer. It started with discomfort in his stomach, nausea and fatigue, and eventually persistent coughing and extreme fatigue, resulting in a lot of weight loss. The doctor finally ordered an MRI in in early December, which revealed an enlarged liver, enlarged spleen and a nodule on one of his adrenal glands. A CT of the chest followed, which revealed a mass in his right lung the size of a baseball. The concern was that the sarcoma cancer he was diagnosed with a few years ago had metastasized.
In 2017, Marv was diagnosed with a low-grade spindle cell sarcoma of the pelvis. They removed the large mass and did not feel further treatment was needed because it was all confined in the mass. He has had annual MRIs of the abdomen and pelvic region since to monitor. His last MRI was in the spring and it didn't reveal anything concerning, which is why we're in shock.
A biopsy of this new mass in the lung showed it is new cancer, not associated with the previous sarcoma. One good thing, an MRI of the brain shows it has not yet metastasized there. Those of you who are closest to Marv know that he doesn't like negative news nor does he like to dwell on negative things. Marv knows that it is cancer and it has metastasized but he does not want to know the prognosis/statistics and would appreciate no discussions of that around him. I talked to the oncologist about prognosis without Marv in the room. He said there is always hope and Marv could be one of the few to defy the odds. So I pray and I hope every minute of every day that he does defy these odds.
The oncologist feels the first step is to stop the spread, so that means starting chemo right away, hopefully this week. I will try to post updates regularly on this site because I know so many of you want to know his progress.
Many of you have asked how you can help and we truly appreciate you all for offering. To be honest, I don't know yet what we'll need and most of you know I've never been good at accepting help. But not this time. I need all the support I can get to stay strong for Marv and for Westley. I need all of you. I will consult with a few family and friends to determine how to best use this site to help us.
Truly, we can't thank you enough for all your love and support.
P.S. We have not told Westley of his dad's diagnosis. He sees how weak and tired his dad is every day and recognizes his dad is really sick and is already worried enough seeing his dad in this state. We do not feel he needs to know the diagnosis or prognosis at this point.
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