things are never as they seem.

While I thought that things were moving quickly, I was wrong. My doctor thinks I have an infection in one of my lungs, and it showed as a spot/nodule on my CAT scan. He needs to check it out before beginning radiation. So, another CAT scan on 4/10 - followed by radiation on 4/17. Thanks for your continued support and prayers.

Treatment

Okay, things are starting to move a little quicker. I begin my radiation treatments on Monday, April 3. I'll have a daily treatment for two weeks. The doctor I talked to was very thorough and really appealed to the science guy that is still somewhere inside me. Here is a quick synopsis of why they are recommending radiation therapy.

Risk factors for spreading/recurrence of Seminoma
1. The size of the tumor - The medical community uses 4cm as the benchmark for risk. My tumor was over double that size. This is one case where bigger is not better.
2. Lymphovascular invasion - There were some cancer cells that showed up in the border between the tumorous testicle and the lymphatic system.
3. My age

The radiologic oncologist reports that these factors all lead to his opinion that I'd have over a 1 in 3 chance of recurrence within a year or two if left untreated. He also said that chemotherapy would be overkill.

So, they are going to get all the prep work done on Wednesday. And the treatments will begin on the following Monday.

Overall, I'm feeling pretty good. I think that I've been overdoing it a little bit. I've been trying to do too much - mostly at work. Then again, I'm pretty frustrated that I haven't been too helpful at home.

Again, I am humbled by the outpouring of support from family, friends and even strangers. THANK YOU!

Hopefully in the next few weeks I can get away from the somber tones that the blog has taken and into some important upbeat thoughts. Like fantasy baseball!!!

Peace.

quiet week

First off, I'm humbled by the many folks out there sending their best wishes and prayers - I'm most thankful. I had several visitors during my stay at the hospital. As always it was great to see them, but the circumstances weren't the best.

I spent most of the week in my modified command center - a lounge chair, books, magazines a small tv, laptop and playstation2. So, despite being in some pain, it was a relaxing week. The percocet helped too!

I had a CAT scan on Wednesday. It's not an experience I'd like to repeat anytime soon. As of Friday, they hadn't finished their report. Hopefully we'll know monday or tuesday. From what I know, they'll be focussing on my lymph nodes. If they are enlarged, or show any cancer they'll treat with chemo; otherwise it will be radiation.

All in all it has been a good week. I'm up in around and feeling a little better every day.

Thanks again for all the kind notes, calls etc... In the meantime - PEACE to you.