September 12, 2012 - Thoughts on Oncologist Visit and on Life

 

This morning’s visit with the oncologist held no surprises. 

• Goblet cell carcinoid is a rare form of cancer with less than 1000 cases in the USA annually.  Interpretation:  There is not the volume of case studies available as one finds with breast cancer, lung cancer, etc.  They don’t really know much about it or what to do with it.
• The surgery I have had (right hemicolectomy and bilateral oophorectomy) was  standardized (as standardized as it gets) and aggressive treatment for the size of tumor I had. 
• Chemotherapy is not blatantly warranted at this point and chemo has  not been shown to significantly prolong longevity in goblet cell carcinoid cases.
• The overall 5-year survival rate for all stages (combined) of goblet cell is 76%.  I could have 3 years, 5 years, 30 years or be gunned down in the Walmart parking lot tomorrow.  Statistics are numbers and just that. 
• We were given names of specialist oncologists at the University of Pennsylvania, and I could pursue a third opinion.  I (after consulting with Dave) choose not to do this.   At this time, I am NED (No Evidence of Disease).  We opt for watchful waiting with a CT scan in six months.  In conversing with the oncologist, I received affirmation that the findings of my research pretty much sum up what the professionals know about this type of cancer at this stage.
• I choose quality over quantity.
• I choose to live Life and savor every moment, hour, day, night, person, emotion and experience until it is time for me to pass from this world.  This has been my philosophy for more years than I can count and is simply affirmed, re-emphasized if you will, by this experience.  We all have an expiration date and no guarantees of another breath.
• I choose to love, laugh, explore, experience, play, learn and grow in the time I have here on Earth.  I am so very fortunate to be sharing the lifestyle of my dreams with a man I absolutely adore and a wee, sweet doggie.  Life is damn good and I feel good!
• I ain’t done yet, folks.
• With this visit behind us, I can now put some daily emotional closure to the events of the Summer, at least for now.   I hope to keep this experience alive for the purposes of serving as a benchmark for how to live my life and for sharing the lessons learned through my writing, teaching Reiki and supporting others in distress.
• I still have physical healing to do with regards to the surgeries.  That will just take time, but I’ll be patient.  Hey, it’s a good excuse for a nap!

My sights are now set on resuming my CPR and Reiki teaching endeavors, volunteering as a member of the local CERT organization and getting back to being able to physically do whatever I want.

The hard work is done.  Let’s go play!

Thanks for stopping by!

I am a Warrior.