Blindsided

Today we had our much-anticipated follow up visit with the oncologist.  We were told to wait until he was fully healed from his last surgery.  It was a long road but eventually his wound healed and we were ready – or so we thought. 

Today’s visit was devastating. Heartbreaking. Impossible to accept.  Words that are difficult to type let alone hear or say.   

We have a year left with Jackie.

I wrote the above post moments after Jackie’s consultation.  Raw with emotion and waiting for his ultrasound results.  We had just received a lot of information and our minds were fried.  I saw no light at the end of the tunnel. 

Jack has an extremely aggressive form of cancer. The tumor removed 2 months ago has reappeared and spread to the local lymph node.  No treatment can provide him with great odds of surviving.  He may only have a 5% chance of beating it.  We were presented with options.  We were considering our next move. 

The results from the ultrasound were positive and negative. 

Positive: the cancer has not spread to his liver or spleen with no sign of inflamed lymph nodes.

Negative: There is a large abscess near his bladder, a souvenir from his surgery in February. 

The abscess is full of infection. If we don’t remove it, our window with Jackie shrinks to 6 months or less.  It could rupture tomorrow and we could lose him. 

Tomorrow Jackie goes into surgery for the 3^rd time in 6 months.  The cancerous material and abscess will be removed.  With the positive results from the ultrasound and follow up treatment, we are optimistic we can keep Jackie healthy and happy for far longer than a year.  

Please send your positive thoughts our way.