Fuck cancer thread v2.0

[goldendesign]

Met with radiologist and team yesterday. Moffitt cancer has one hell of an operation. Nice facilities, quick check in, no waiting. You'd expect this kind of service for dying people or something! (ba dum tiss.....)

So good news first: The believe all the tumor was removed. 

Not so good news: It had already attached itself well to the nerve cluster. This particular cancer spreads along nerves. 

Good news: Radiologist still thinks the majority of cancer sites available to this type in the neck respond well to radiation. >20% chance of new tumors in radiation area . Which is good odds. He even hemmed and said if I make it 8 years then the likelihood of it occurring in the neck would be 10-5%

Not so good news: The chances of it spreading to elsewhere in the body is still the same. 35-40% first 4 years, 25-35% 4-8 years and dropping to around 20% for my lifespan. 

Worse news: I have Scleroderma, known this my whole life. Have a partially bum shoulder from excessive scar tissue on tendons from motorcycle accident. In a normal person they wouldn't even mention it scarring complications from radiation. Chances so remote its practically unpossible. With me the chance of a "life altering reaction" from scarring with the radiation treatment is much much higher. The radiologist couldn't venture a true prognosis as these types of cases present in people twice my age. His best ball park is 1:12 in the first 8 years. After that he figures higher but they have no real data to even ballpark.

 

So they laid it out and said I have a 75% chance without radiation to get another tumor in the head/neck area. 50/50 in terms of fatal. 

With radiation I still have a 22% over expected lifespan of a tumor developing somewhere else; most likely either lungs (bad) or liver (not so bad).

With radiation I will probably have some life altering scarring from the radiation caused by my scleroderma. Examples given were either mild: neck muscles scar, cant turn head; medium: nerve scarring, droopy/drooling face; hot: blood vessels scar, jaw bone death (get metal plate) and down right nuclear: trachea scarring, can't swallow/difficulty breathing (stomach tube, stoma)

 

So all in all not great but I can live. I of course choose radiation. Begins in about 3 weeks they have to take molds, plan radiation bed, and schedule. Should be for 7 weeks, 5 days weekly. After all that shit here is a picture of my daughter and me!

 

[petitepedal ★]

Well...I give the post a   but the photo gets a

Hugs...and prayers coming your way!!

[donkpow]

This, to me, sounds like very positive results. Thanks for sharing them.

[Kirby]

I agree with Petite on the picture, and I also am impressed with your great attitude.   I have no medical training, but I'm convinced a good attitude gives you a big advantage.  And if prayers and good vibes add to that advantage, you'll be golden in more way than one.   Thank you for the update, you're in our thoughts.

[Dirtyhip]

Kick its ass. Kirby is right. Attitude is an amazing weapon with these scum sucking pig diseases. 

[Kzoo]

Thanks for the update and prayers for healing.

 

[TrentonMakes]

Thanks for the update - like I said before, fight and win.

Your daughter is adorable.  We have a similar photo of our daughter at 8 months, chewing on a book (still wrapped, Christmas morning).

[ChrisL]

13 hours ago, Kirby said:

I agree with Petite on the picture, and I also am impressed with your great attitude.   I have no medical training, but I'm convinced a good attitude gives you a big advantage.  And if prayers and good vibes add to that advantage, you'll be golden in more way than one.   Thank you for the update, you're in our thoughts.

I don't think I could say it any better than this^^^

Were all pulling for ya!

[Longjohn ★]

On the bright side when you are finished they will probably let you keep the mold. A guy finished his treatment on Wednesday and walked out all smiles carrying his mold. It was cool.