dand's Cancer Blog
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
| In the beginning | Views: 363 |
April 28th 2007. The words no one wants to hear. “You have cancer”. In your heart you know that it is cancer, even before they tell you.
So this blog is to allow me to keep my family and friends updated and to vent my frustrations. I was told it was theraputic to vent.
May 8, 2007
Met with the oncologist and had a long talk about this new cancer. One of the things I need is honest talk from my Dr. So I get alot of “I don’t have that information at this time”. This is what I do know.
What I have is Tracheal Cancer. Stage 3B. I guess it’s pretty rare in that only 1 in 100,000 cancer patients have this type of cancer. The size of the tumor is approx. 2.7 X 2.5 CM. It is located in the trachea near where the bronchial tube enters the lung. It is blocking 75% of the airway. Because of the size and location surgery is not an option at this time. Because of the size and location radiation is not an option at this time. So, Chemo will be first. The goal is to reduce the size of the tumor to a size that radiation can be used to reduce it further to a size that it can be surgically removed.
Now for the really crappy part. It is not likely to be effective. So they are telling me that it may be just a quality of life thing and that I could have as little as
6 mos. or as long as 2 year to live.
Well, that sure throws a pile of crap on the livingroom floor. You can see it, it stinks, who is going to deal with it?
What they are telling me is that because of the type of cancer, I may also have colon and brain tumors. They are setting up an appointment to have an MRI to see what the deal is with that.
Tomorrow the 10th I go in to meet with the radiologist and them back to oncology. Once everyone has had a chance to talk to me they will determine …..?
I’m ready to get this party started. The longer it takes, the longer it takes.
As I have more info I will post here.
Thank god for Mary and Dianne. I know that it is so hard for them and that hurts the most.
05.17.07 - 
Thanks for your support -
Welcome Dan! You have come to the right place if you want to vent. There are a lot of great people on here who can relate to what you are going through. hope you get some good news/info tomorrow.
Just remember—- doctors practice medicine. emphasis on the word “practice”. There are no be all end all answers when it comes to cancer. You may not die in six months. You may live for the next fifty years more. Because your cancer is so rare, they really don’t have much to go on to prove that it won’t work. Chemo may work.
Take care and hang in there. One day, one minute at a time.
Dan, I am so sorry. My prayers and thoughts are with you. If there is ANYTHING Tim or I can do for you please, please don’t hesitate to call. Luv ya, Connie
Dan, people come in and out of our lives, and when Liz and I met you, we both knew that you were a keeper, a person that we want as a life long friend. We of course are saddened by your diagnosis, but please know we are but a phone call away, and will be there for you whenever you need us. Prayer is powerful, and again, be comforted by the fact that we, and many others are praying for your recovery. Take care Brother Dan, we’ll be “walking” for you next weekend for our annual “Relay for Life” event at French Field in Kent,WA
Dean Paquette
Dan, You always add sunshine to my day. There hasn’t been one time where I’ve walked into the office and you haven’t said, “Hi Jen!” You put a smile on my face. This diagnosis sucks…It makes me angry. I hate cancer. I can’t even begin to imagine how your brain must be processing this. I agree with the first commenter on your page though. People are beating cancer more and more these days. You see that working with AFLAC, right? I know I do. And that’s just science. I am going to be praying for you, too, if that’s ok. Actually even if it’s not ok. :) I’ve seen God heal friends of mine and even better give them peace on the inside. That’s going to be my prayer for you. Stay strong. Try to be positive and surround yourself with those kinds of people. Writing and venting is therapeutic though. Sometimes putting things into words helps me process and release even more than talking about things. I’m on your side, Dan. You have many friends in our office. You are on our team… you are our friend… and you are not alone. I’m fighting for you. Sincerely, Jen
U.D. ~
I love you! You have lots of family and friends to fight the fight, so let’s get busy! All for one, and one for all!
Here we go!
Hi My Huckleberry,
You have done a great job creating this blog. You are an amazing man!
I knew you had the ability to communicate but who would have thought you would be creating your own community support site? I like knowing that your friends are as close as a word away. It will help all of us give from the heart to one another during this challenge. Plus it helps my family to be apart of what is going on. I’ll forward their addresses tonight. Thank you for being open enough to include us into your inner thoughts. You’re Girl in LV ïŠ
Danny, ..Barb gave me your info for your page, I am so sorry to hear of this trial for you. I hope and pray for the very best outcome for you in all they do. I will check your webpage each day, and pray for you. Think a lot of you, my friend!...charla
Hello Dan,
You don’t know me, but I was moved by your story. You are in my prayers. I am a small cell lung cancer survivor, so I understand the hell you are facing. I was in stage 3 and told things would not improve. I am still here. You are very brave. Please keep fighting….