Welcome to Cliff's Cancer Spot.

Not a very original name but whatever.  My sister Leslie suggested Clifford the Big Red Blog. We like that but it doesn't reference the "C" word. And apparently that's the whole point of this!  So... here we go.

Jan 2016 

I had a colonoscopy on January 13 that revealed a tumor. Happy New Year. A CT scan two days later confirmed the presence of carcinoma.  Through a series of events we also learned that it had traveled to my liver.  That day was a bummer!  Not only did we learn I had a serious issue, but we learned that Glenn Frey had passed away.  It made me very sad that he's Already Gone.

On January 20 we took the first step toward a treatment plan at Huntsman Cancer Institute.  On day 10 we got official diagnosis - stage 4 colon cancer.  It is stage 3 in my colon, but metastasis to another organ constitutes stage 4.  The tumors are both significant in size but appear to be contained, which makes them more treatable. No sign of cancer anywhere else. 

The plan is four months of chemotherapy, then if it looks like I'm ready for surgery I'll have five high dose radiation treatments, followed by a few weeks to recuperate, followed by surgery.  Colon and liver surgery may be done together or separately.  Time will tell. 

Chemo is onsite at HCI once every two weeks for 6-hour infusions. I then take a chemo "ball" home with me that infuses for an additional 48 hours.  So here we sit today, Arvonne and I, in a chemo pod at HCI, getting my first chemo treatment.  A tube runs from a drug tree into a port that was surgically placed in my chest last week.  I'm on fire but only because it's so warm in here!  Just met a therapy dog named Beijo.  Cool dog!

Arvonne is sitting next to me writing thank you notes.  Knowing that, THANK YOU for your thoughts, prayers, and other kindnesses.  We literally feel the benefits and are grateful beyond words for your support.  The doctors have given us reason to be optimistic so the fight is on!   We're gonna make cancer look like the Carolina Panthers.  Beaten into submission!  Conquered and dismissed!

Now for my Public Service Announcement.  I had a colonoscopy less than seven years ago.  My oncologist says my colon tumor has only been there 2-3 years.  I have no family history.  Waiting ten years would have been devastating.   So... if you have symptoms, get checked.  If you've reached 50, get checked.  If you're on the ten year plan, consider cutting that in half.   Sure, you spend an evening having the worst kind of fun there is and you get to have a splendid procedure the next day.  But really?  It's not a big deal!!!

That's it for now.  We will update as things progress.

-Cliff