...a long winded story not written all that well.

A cornfield somewhere in Wisconsin: Taken with a Horizon 35mm panormic: Taken just after a spell of severe stomach pains. October.2008

So, here it goes, from the beginning:
I've had recurring stomach pains for at least 4 years. For those who know me well, I’m a relatively “high-strung” individual… Ok, maybe I’m borderline OCD? Initially, doctors thought these stomach pains might be related to anxiety? But sometime late in 2007, my pain slowly started to get worse. Well, I thought it must be an ulcer or something? At times, I’d have these attacks that would last for days, stabbing. When the pain started to become more frequent in November of 2008, Andrea forced me to see a doctor. The doctors initially thought it might be an ulcer, or, an issue with my gallbladder. I was sent for an ultrasound in early December 2008… and this is when it all began. During the ultrasound they noted that I might indeed have gallstones, for which an operation would be required. In addition, they noticed a large abnormal “mass” on my liver. With this “mass” in question, I was then given a CT Scan for a closer look. The CT Scan revealed that the liver mass was about the size of a lime (5cm x 6cm). It also showed 17 smaller satellite “lesions” about 1cm each (think peas), around the larger liver mass. At first, they thought this might be completely benign, but ordered an MRI to get a better look. The MRI was inconclusive with respect to a diagnosis. After visiting my second liver specialist, I was referred to the University of Chicago for further analysis. After presenting my exams and blood work to a tumor board (a group of smarty-pants doctors), they felt the best course of action was an ultrasound guided biopsy of the liver mass. Without going into too many details, they used a big ass needle, stuck it through my skin and muscle under the ribs, and into the large tumor mass. And yes, it hurt like hell! It was all done under local anesthetic. Unfortunately, during this procedure they could not image and biopsy the smaller lesions. –bummer.

After the biopsy, it was just a matter of time before we had some kind of confirmation of what the liver mass was. February 4th, 2008, the results were in… it’s Liver CANCER. Yes, CAPS for a flare of the dramatic! I was told that I have a Neuroendicrine / Carcinoid Tumor (NET). They’re a rare type of cancer….lucky me. (Happy New Year, right…?) The smaller liver lesions have yet to be diagnosed, but are most likely small metastases of the liver tumor (TBD). Unfortunately, my liver cancer is most likely metastases (i.e., a secondary cancer site.). NET’s usually originate in the lower GI. So, that means there’s a cancer site somewhere else in the body that has yet to be found/diagnosed. (The cancer has spread through the blood stream to the liver… since the liver acts like a big filter for the body.) If you’re a doctor and I’m getting something wrong, let me know here :)

Status: We are still hunting for the primary cancer… and, my stomach pain continues. The pain may be from GI tumors, or, still from the gallbladder, TBD? I have another (different) MRI tomorrow (02/12) and a follow-up doctor visit on 12/13. Monday & Tuesday (16/17th) I will have an OctreoScan, which is a full body scan used to find out where these kinds of tumors (NET) originate and spread in the body. I guess I’m going to glow after all these exams. By the end of next week, we hope to have a better idea about a prognosis, and, a surgical course of action. Liver transplant is on the table, but a last resort in my mind… I’ll be damned if I let them cut my liver out. The good thing is that I’m super healthy, despite this cancer business. My cholesterol is super low, blood pressure great, fit, active, etc. etc…. I just ran 4 miles today without issue… I’m young, so aggressive treatment options are available to me. Also, this is usually a slower growing cancer… hopefully that buys us some time?

Keywords are proactive & expeditious. Also, positive and calm… So far, I have good days and bad ones mentally, but I’m trying to stay strong. Fighting cancer is going to be my new full time project… This blog should help me to vent… and hey, I might get prophetic from time to time too… why not?

And if anyone want to buy me a drink, I’m accepting offers until they tell me I can’t anymore!

PS… this is kind of a low key blog for friends & family… it’s not listed in the browser crawls, etc. So, I’d appreciate it if you all didn’t link like to it or repost anywhere, etc… I still have my other business to run too folks!

Stay Tuned -More to follow.
TBD...