October 31 update

I hope this is the last update on this issue.

Surgery will actually be December 10, not December 4.

October 28 update

After nearly a month of feeling like things were moving so slowly, I'm happy to share that the last two days have been busy with progress.

Yesterday afternoon I got the call that Lupron had been approved by insurance and that I could come in today for my first infection. 🙌

Today I got notification that the December 4 surgery is a go, with Dr. Rossi and Dr. Zani both being available to do their parts of the procedure.

I got my first Lupron injection, scheduled my second for November 24, and also had my pre-anesthesia consultation this afternoon. I'm feeling really good about the plan and am eager to move forward.

This is what was on the wall in the procedure room today.

A brief update - Oct 11

As many of you know, I had labs, a PET CT scan, an appointment with a nutritionist, and my pre-op visit yesterday. I will have more to share next week, but as a number of you have reached out by text to check on me, it’s easier to just share a brief update now and fill in details later. The PET scan information has not been published to MyChart, though I have seen it and discussed it with my health care team at Duke.

The basics:

• The scan showed interval increased size of the previously seen nodules, as well as new hypermetabolic peritoneal nodules, consistent with worsening peritoneal disease.

• Surgery is canceled as it’s no longer a realistic option.

• Dr. Rossi and I talked last night about the possibility of pursuing chemotherapy and/or a different endocrine hormone option.

• I am seeking a second opinion from Dr. Tyler Hillman at UCSD, but I do not have any intentions at this time of transferring my care from Duke.

Thank you to those who reached out by text yesterday with encouraging words, not expecting a response. That was meaningful to me.

I know many will ask how I am feeling. Physically I feel great. I have no real symptoms. Emotionally I am pragmatic and moving into planning mode, though we don’t fully know yet what that will look like.

For this weekend, there are plenty of other things to concentrate on, most importantly Hannah’s baby shower which is tomorrow. She and Ethan are having a GIRL!

When I was a child, I memorized the entirety of Psalm 27, and this morning verses 13 and 14 are on repeat in my head:

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

The surgery date is set

Important dates:

• September 16 - consultation with Dr. Zani who will do my liver resection

• October 10 - PET CT scan & pre-op visit with Dr. Rossi

• October 22 - Surgery with Dr. Zani and Dr. Rossi. They are hopeful that this procedure will be able to be done laparoscopically, but because Dr. Zani will be re-sectioning my liver, my recovery time will be longer than it was 6.5 years ago when I had my first laparoscopic surgery.

• November 14 - post-op visit when we will discuss adjuvant therapy options.

The gift of unexpected friendship

My new friend, Jeffrey Ritter, shared the following on social media recently. I couldn’t have said it better myself. My life is richer because of people like him I have met on this journey.

So, in the hospital, I was diligently walking laps, but kept finding someone's marker on the lap-board creeping ahead each day. Damn, who was beating my butt?

Well, we met, compared surgical scars (think of the scene in Jaws) and, despite wearing backless surgical gowns, became instant forever friends. Both survivors that will not stop being alive!

There is such strength when we fight together!

Sunrise on a Sunday morning

I love my early morning walks here in our neighborhood. This is the last one for a while as we leave for Durham later today in order to prepare for my surgery at Duke on Tuesday.

This morning was quite ordinary - listening to Russell Moore’s podcast, then worship music.

The future is so uncertain, but I will heed this solid advice I've received:

Don't look left. Don't look right. Look straight ahead, and follow Jesus.

Amen.