Pre-Surgery Clerification

We met with the doctor today to go over the surgery and answer any questions we had.  We got some clarification about the surgery and realized we had misunderstood some aspects about the surgery.  This surgery is focused on the abdomen.  There will need to be a second surgery to remove the tumors in the chest area.  There will NOT be an incision from the neck to the pelvis.  The incision will be from the bottom of the sternum to the pelvis. This actually makes sense, since my chest bones would be in the way if they cut any higher - why didn't I think of that before?  The doctor can get the tumors that are in the lower part of the chest, but the ones by my heart he will have to do at a later time.  But, he is going to get the tumor out of my neck.  That is just a small incision he said.  So, he is going to get all of the tumors out that he is able to.  There are tumors throughout the abdomen, some by the rectum and liver. He is going to remove part of my liver that has a mass in it.  I may also lose my spleen.  Complications are possible, but we will not speculate.  We will trust in the blessing from heaven to guide the doctor's hand.

This surgery will last between 6-12 hours (down from 12-14 hours like they told us before).  Angela was great at asking the pointed questions about the surgery, the outcome, and if it is really all worth it.  It came down to this - we are going to do everything we can (as the Spirit confirms) to rid my body of this cancer.  There are not many survivors, but there are some.  There is another treatment at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, involving immunotherapy.  They recommend that I look into that when I have finished the NYC protocol.  I will have chemotherapy after the first surgery, then have the second surgery about May - if all goes well.  Then I will have radiation and chemotherapy.  The doctor did say that the abdomen may have to be done in two parts also if there is too much bleeding.

The doctor kept asking me if I understood what was going to happen with the surgery.  I assured him that I understood what he was saying, but never having had the surgery before, there would probably be things that surprised me or things that I did not anticipate with the recovery.  This answer did not seem to satisfy him completely.  It made me think of times when you tell a child something and they nod yes like they understand, but do not really understand because of their lack of life experiences. He would also use the phrase, "I don't mean to upset you, but ..".  In looking back, I do not recall acting upset or saying things that would suggest I was upset.  He must have many patients that do get upset and concerned when they hear the prognosis for this type of cancer.  Most (almost all) of his patients are children.  As a parent, I think I would show more concern and be upset if it were my child going through this.

I have received a confirmation form the Spirit and that is good enough for me.  I know that it will be a tough recovery, but He will help me through it.  All things can be accomplished when our Savior is with you.

Please pray for me and the doctors that all will go well and that I can recover - according to His will.
I am trying my best to exercise the faith to be healed so that whatever happens, I know is His will.
Thanks again for all that you do for me and my family.

-Doug-