Surgery Now Scheduled --

Well we heard from the surgeon's office today. My cancer surgery is scheduled for April 26 . . . Shakespeare's baptismal day.

We still have not heard from the BC Cancer people about my radiation therapy; but the doctor's office said that they'd been told that it would end on April 20 . . . which probably means that I'll be in Victoria from the 16th through the 20th (and out of touch in terms of the Net).

Lots of medical stuff between now and then . . . consults with different doctors, etc. . . . anyway that's all that I know at this point.

-- Jeff

Good "Bad News" --

Well we saw the doctor today for the results of my CT scan. And the news was good!

"Bad" in that, yes I do have rectal cancer, but "good" in that the cancer does not appear to have spread. Next steps are radiation therapy then surgery.

I wish to thank everyone who has expressed their concern for my health and for all of the prayers and good wishes that have come my way. Please keep them coming because I am not a great subject for surgery (mid-sixties, diabetic and seriously overweight), so your prayers (of whatever faith) continue to be most welcome.

Finally I would like to mention that, while the stress of this has been (and will continue to be) pretty intense, reading and thinking about our shared hobby has succeeded in keeping me somewhat distracted . . . which has been a great help.

Thank you all again.

-- Jeff

CT Scan Today --

In about an hour I will head to Hospital for a CT scan to see if or how far my cancer has spread. Of course I won't know the results today . . . but at least it is a step forward.

-- Jeff

"A Month from Hell" --

Well that is how my wife described it . . . and we are very glad that February is over.

On the evening of the first I started bleeding heavily from my rear end. A trip to Emergency and I was admitted to Hospital, where I continued to lose blood. I know that they gave me at least nine big bags of fluid over the two days I was in.

On the second, my wife's father (age 95) passed away. It wasn't unexpected, but it was still a shock for her on top of my being in Hospital.

Mid-month I underwent a colonoscopy to find out why I was bleeding . . . and a few days ago we got the result. I have colon cancer . . . well, more correctly rectal cancer.

So the next step is an MRI to see how extensive it is and if it has spread. Then radiation. Then surgery . . . and I'm a poor surgical risk even though I've lost 35 pounds over a three-week period (because I'm still pushing 300 and I'm in my sixties).

It is quite a shock. I'm not in pain. I'm weak because my hemoglobin has dropped so low because of blood loss . . . but other than that I feel fine . . . well, except for the stress and not knowing how things will turn out.

And, thankfully February is over.

Whatever your faith, your prayers are welcome.

-- Jeff