The fight is on!

Today Phil's medical oncologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute confirmed what we already suspected--Phil has Stage IV colon cancer which has metasticized to the liver. He was told 6-12 months without any intervention--perhaps 2-3 years with chemotherapy. Phil has an incredibly upbeat attitude and is determined to beat this, and I know he can!

Here's the current regimen:

ASAP: The oncologist ordered a PET scan to determine if there's more cancer in his body (e.g., lymph nodes and glands, etc.). Our insurance company has to give approval and then this test will be scheduled--we're hoping to get it done while we're in Salt Lake this week.

Today, Monday, March 28: Phil had a CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) blood test which measures a protein indicating "how extensively cancer has spread."

Friday, March 4, 8:00 a.m.: Phil has a consultation with a surgical oncologist at Huntsman, but his medical oncologist is not too optimistic about surgical options. Any surgery would postpone chemotherapy, which the oncologist feels is our best and most expedient option. During the consult, the surgeon will also schedule surgery to implant a chemotherapy catheter in Phil's chest (for chemo infusions). We're told this surgery will probably take place on Monday, March 7.

Also on Friday at 9:00 a.m.: Phil will have the first of 8 iron infusions to counter severe anemia resulting from blood loss due to the ulcerated tumor in his colon. The first infusion will be by IV, but the others can be infused through the catheter. Also, the oncologist said Phil can probably have the other 7 infusions (and possibly some of the chemotherapy infusions) at Allen Memorial Regional Hospital in Moab, at their new Infusion Center. In either case, iron or chemo infusions, Phil will need to have the first round at Huntsman to rule out any adverse reactions, then the others can be in Moab. We're very hopeful about getting treatments closer to home!

Tuesday, March 8: Phil's oncologist will present his case for discussion by the Huntsman GI Tumor Board. The board is made up of specialists in all areas of GI cancer treatment who will have studied Phil's diagnostic tests and, as a well-oiled team, make recommendations based on their various areas of expertise.

Wednesday, March 9, 9:40 a.m.: Phil will see the oncologist again to learn what the Tumor Board recommended.

Introspection: When we walked out of Huntsman we were overwhelmed by the vast amount of information we had received in such a short time. I collected facts, facts, facts in my notebook, writing as fast as I could.

Phil, on the other hand, collected feelings. Here's what he told me. He felt he had found a new friend in his oncologist--Phil felt this was someone who believed in his ability to beat this cancer and someone who really cared about him. That's my husband. He, like Will Rogers, can honestly say he never met a man he didn't like. Phil's positive outlook and his tremendous faith in God will pull him through the trials ahead.

And I'll have his back all the way . . . along with our six children (John, Jeff, Adam, Mark, Liz and Becky), extended family members, and an incredible network of true and treasured friends in Moab and Blanding. Thank you all for your faith, prayers and support!

We love you all!

Got lots of calls yesterday . . .

Sorry for the confusion. Initially Phil had an appointment to get results on February 22nd (yesterday). But that was with our previous doctor who told us if it wasn't prostrate-related he wouldn't be our doctor.

Phil and I decided it would be better to wait till we see the gastro-intestinal oncologist because he would not only give us results, but he could also answer our questions and discuss possible treatments.

Log on Monday, February 28, for the latest.

We wait again . . .

Phil and I are headed home tomorrow, after being in Salt Lake for the past week. Today they took five biopsies from Phil's liver. He tolerated the procedure well, including two hours in recovery. It will take a week for the colon biopsies to culture, and 72 hours for the liver biopsies. We were hoping to see a gastro-intestinal oncologist asap for results, diagnosis, prognosis, and a treatment plan, but it appears we have to wait till February 28 before Phil can get in.

It's hard to wait . . .

The fight begins!

Today they found a large "likely malignant" tumor in Phil's colon, close to the liver. Tomorrow they do the liver biopsies.

We return to Huntsman next Tuesday, the 22nd, to meet with Phil's oncologist and get results. The biopsies will take a week to culture.

Thanks for your faith, prayers and support!

A tiring day . . .

Last night I asked Phil how much information he wanted me to share on the blog. He said, "All of it. You never know if it might help someone."

After the ultrasound this morning (described below), we went to breakfast in the hospital cafeteria and stayed there till it was time for Phil's injection of radioactive tracers (11:00 a.m.). I had to wait outside the restricted area and grew more and more anxious when the procedure that was supposed to take "a few seconds," took nearly a half hour. Turns out they couldn't get a good vein so Phil was poked and poked and exhausted by the time they got it done.

We spent most of the next three hours sitting in the hospital foyer outside Starbucks. They had a grand piano and for awhile, a young man played beautiful renditions of "The Shadow of Your Smile" and "Autumn Leaves," among others. We were happy to see a few familiar faces from home. We saw Lila Redd and her son Brett from Grand Junction--turns out President Lem Redd came for an office visit last Tuesday and ended up in ICU. Later we saw Lem and Lila's daughter Kathryn & her husband Rob Wilcox. Our prayers are with President Redd and family.

We also visited with Norman and Margie Lyman. Norman was there for tests which turned out great, and we're so happy for them!

Then my sister Wendy came and fetched us for a brief visit to her office in the Education Department--she works on scholarships and financial aid for med students. That was a highlight!

When we reported back to Nuclear Medicine, I wasn't allowed to be with Phil during the bone scan, but he described being wrapped tightly around the torso with his arms secured against his body to prevent movement. Phil was too wide for one scan so special accommodations (which I didn't completely understand) were made to get pictures of both elbows. Fortunately, Phil was able to sleep part of the time. Should have results by Monday.

Three down (CT scan, ultrasound, bone scan), two to go. Phil's colonoscopy will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. and liver biopsies are scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Although we're getting very homesick, and Phil is extremely anxious to get back to work, we feel very blessed to be treated at Huntsman and University Hospital.

Here's to a quiet Saturday . . .

More follow-up . . .

This morning we arrived at the University Hospital's Radiology Department at 6:45 a.m. for Phil's scheduled "ultrasound-guided liver biopsy." Not sure where the miscue occurred, but biopsies were not scheduled--only ultrasound. After the tech shot 82 pictures of Phil's liver, spleen, and left and right kidneys, a very congenial radiologist, Dr. Dan Sommers, visited with us. He explained 1) Phil has four lesions on his liver, 2) it is customary to do ultrasound first to determine if biopsies are needed and the lesions accessible, 3) he is confident he can safely do the biopsies, 4)it's necessary to have a team present (pathologist and lab) whenever biopsies are performed, and 5) it looks like Tuesday may be the first available opportunity.

Whatever it takes, that's what we'll do!

Now it's on to Nuclear Medicine where Phil will be injected with a small dose of radioactive material and wait three hours for the scan. During that time, the radioactive tracers circulate through the body and accumulate wherever they find abnormal bone metabolism. These areas are called "hot spots."

Time to go . . .

Getting close to a diagnosis . . .

Arrived at Huntsman at 9:00 a.m. and left around 3:00 p.m. Phil had labs and we spent the morning filling out paperwork, being interviewed by a very nice intern, and then meeting with the medical oncologist. I had a major (AND I DO MEAN MAJOR) meltdown when it looked like we were being put off. Finally things started happening!

Within an hour, our scheduler, Judy, worked magic and got Phil a CT scan that afternoon at Huntsman. As it turned out, he had just 10 minutes to get upstairs and start drinking the barium smoothie (one dose every 15 minutes for the next two hours) for a scan that took all of 10 minutes!

Judy also scheduled Phil for a bone scan at University Hospital tomorrow. At 11:00 a.m. he will receive an injection of radioactive dye, wait three hours, and then have the scan.

Scheduling the colonoscopy was not that easy. The first available date--April 25! But Judy wouldn't give up and eventually landed us a 2:00 p.m. appointment on Monday at University Hospital. TRIPLE CROWN!

Judy said, "Someone is watching over you!" This just doesn't happen. (We know . . . It's an answer to prayer.)

About an hour after we left Huntsman the doctor called. The CT scan showed spots on Phil's liver and they need to be biopsied. He asked if we could come back tonight or tomorrow morning. Of course. His nurse called next to inform us that Phil is scheduled for liver biopsies at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow at University Hospital.

Off to bed . . .