Merry Christmas - Indeed!!!

Surgery went very well yesterday (12/23). I am home and feeling good. Dr. Mary just called and said that my pathology reports where coming in as she was leaving so she called to give me my christmas present.

It was a good idea to agree to an additional surgery to get better margins because when she got in there she found another very small tumor - couldn't feel it but it showed up in pathology. The good news is that this tumor was removed and we have ALL CLEAR margins!!! Yipee.

So now phase one is complete and I am off to see the Oncologist on January 4th. This appointment got moved from the 28th.

I am happy, feeling good and so very grateful for my family, all of you and the many many prayers that surround me!

Merry Christmas and Blessings to each of you!

June

Good News - Bad News

The good news is that the tumor wasn't as big as Dr. Mary anticipated. She removed 12 lymph nodes and 11 were clear of cancer. The one node that showed cancer cells was very minute and won't change my treatment plan. Surgery went well and was a breeze for me. The pre-op tests, injections and procedures were horrible.

The bad news is that the pathologist said that there are not clean margins on the tumor. This means that I will be going into surgery again to have more tissue removed on the interior lower area. I know that sounds yucky - but I don't have any lymph node procedures this time and that is good news to me.

Surgery is set for December 23rd - Merry Christmas!

I meet with Dr. Seligman the Oncologist from Pacific Oncology (out of OHSU but a Gresham Office) on December 28th to set up a chemo schedule and treatment plan. Then Dr. Panwalla the Radiologist/Oncologist for a Radation schedule.

So - as I mentioned in a previous posting - there are 4 steps to this. Step one is almost complete - after next surgery. Steps 2 and 3 are being created and step 4 to come.

My goal is to have this all done by my birthday. I don't think this is possible, but I do think I can have chemo done by my 50th on June 1st. If that happens, we are having one BIG party!!!

Mom is leaving in the morning - I will miss her being here taking care of me. Well I miss her being here - I don't like "having to" be taken care of. But - if she wasn't here - I would of gone to work last Friday. So yes, I am taking it easy and trying to "heal"

More to come - keep posted. Keep praying!
Much love,
June

update from Greg

Surgery went well yesterday per Doctor Mary. a great doctor[although a vegan,you'd think a smart doctor would know God gave us some pointy teeth for a reason.].a couple hours to remove a malignant spot and surrounding area and the removal of a few lymph nodes..the lymph nodes were tested on site and showed no evidence of cancer cells which was great news..early next week should give us the results of the malignant spot to assure that it was entirely removed. Probably radiation is the next step and hopefully no chemotherapy. June is home now and recovering with her mom trying to get her to follow doctors instruction because I know she won't listed to me or Ally.We'll be watching the DUCKS BEAT THE beavers at home tonight.Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes,candle lighting, etc..it must have worked ! We really don't have any immediate needs..unless you want to feed us..Thanks again