Given half a chance

Hi All, from email Aug. 11/05

Yesterday was a big day for me, I met with five Dr.'s and two nurses at the Tom Baker cancer center. The results from all the tests, Biopsies, CT scans, and x-ray's were on hand and my team [as above] agreed on the following evaluation. The primary site for the cancer is in my tonsil's with secondary site's in the lumps in my neck. Yes there is a lump starting on the left side that may match the lump on the right side of my neck. They discussed surgery but put that on the back burner for now, it will be plan 'B'. They have decided on a treatment plan that will consist of Chemo in the morning and radiation therapy right after the chemo. They say a small dose of chemo will heighten the effects of the radiation, with less side effects. These sessions will start after a head mask is cast in plaster, then transferred to a plastic mask that will bolt to the radiation machine's table. This will allow exact alignment of the head and neck for each session. The Dr.'s say that the cancer is relatively new and has spread only so far,... so far. They feel that I should be good to go after a, five day a week, seven weeks, sessions, of the Chemo and Radiation mixture. They say the hard part will be to keep up the body weight, as I endure these sessions, for each session is liken to a marathon race, with five races back to back and only Saturday and Sunday for recovery. After all sessions are completed they say it may take up to two months to recover, back to normal. They further say that my health will drop down, down, before the long climb back up, this is where I may fail, if the arthritis acts up, while I'm in this vulnerable condition. But that is something that I will deal with when the time comes, for now it will be small steps toward my new goal, full health, no cancer. It is so good to know and not guess at my current condition, now firm steps are planned and I can follow a map to recovery, rather than speculations in the 'pitch dark'. The type of cancer is T1-N2A M, in other words, Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stage #3 , this rating goes to stage 5, so it seems that we caught this cancer early.

I would like to thank all you people who took time to say a 'Word' for me, I know that each prayer was weighted on the 'big scale of life' and so He may have said, look at all the good words said on this sinners behalf, lets spare this one,... for now. This time has also given me insight into the persons I call friends, for each and all, made the step forward with hand outstretched, at my time in need. Just this simple action is sometimes real hard to do, as each of us must look at our own mortality before we make that first step toward the other. Whether it was my family, my fellow workers, my paragliding friends, my scuba buddies, my bike club, the skateboard dudes, or the three churches, all showed genuine concern for this unworthy spirit. To each one of you I can only offer a sincere, Thank You. This moral boost has given me even more faith, that His Way, will be Ok, whichever Way that is. There is no doubt that I am affected by this experience so far, and I expect even more changes, yet to come. I feel that I am ready for the challenge ahead, and I will meet this cancer head on, as only an Aries can. Mostly I want to thank my wife, Kathy, who splits her day between the fussy husband with cancer and her poor dying father.

Thank You All

Andy B.