The Verdict Is In

This is the first time in a long time Bill didn't seem nervous waiting for the test results.  Usually, I am the one that is calm and Bill is the anxious one.  I hate to admit, it was me who was me who was a bundle of nerves today. I was so nervous before we even left I thought I was going to faint.  Bill came home from work cool and collective.  He was a wreck the last couple of days but today he was calm.  I know it's because of all the prayers he was at peace.


The results today were mixed.  There is no sign of cancer in the liver. The S.I.R.T. procedure worked.  Bad news is, the P.E.T. scan showed there may be several cancerous lymph nodes in the abdomen.  In away we were both relieved.  We were expecting to hear that the cancer had spread to the lungs, bones, and else where.  Not that the news was good but it could have been worse.  


P.E.T. scans are not always 100% accurate.  Tomorrow evening Bill will be having an abdominal CT.  We know there were 3-4 cancerous lymph nodes.  The CT will confirm if there are more and if so to what extent.  If it shows there are more, chemotherapy will be stopped since he is not responding to it . It there is no change chemo will continue.  


An appointment is being set up for Bill to go to U.I.C for a second opinion.  He is also going to see what trial studies they have to offer. I was given a list of trial studies from http://www.facebook.com/ColonCancerAlliance of ones they think  Bill may be eligible for.  After we meet with the doctors at U.I.C.  we will take all of the information back to the oncologist and he will help decided which trial would be the most beneficial for Bill.


I reluctantly asked the doctor what his opinion about Bill's life expectancy to be. Bill laughed at me when I did.  I knew he couldn't give us an exact time and date, but I wanted to know if he thought in terms of week, months, or years.  He told me that Bill is not and never has been the typical case book study.  He said the average person lives 22 months with treatment and 9 months without treatment.  Bill was diagnosed 30 months ago and still is going strong.  The doctor also said the effected lymph nodes are the smaller ones which is a good thing.  


Bill is taking the news extremely well.  He is still determined to do everything in his power to fight.   He has been laughing at me when I get teary eyed and making is jokes.  He just left for Omni. He said he is not going to let this get him down.  Both Bill and I have been touched by the out pour of prayers, face book messages, and messages from here we have been receiving.  Thank you for all your support and prayers.