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Week 1 complete but with the first bump in the road

Last week was a long series of tests to confirm that I’m fit for the transplant.  I had done some of these tests back in February but they needed to be confirmed. The testing included an Electrocardiogram, Echo cardiogram, PET and CT scans, pulmonary (breathing) tests, bone marrow biopsy, and several blood tests.  I call this battery of testing the ultimate physical exam, literally checking that every bodily function is healthy.  At the end of the week, I was to be admitted to the hospital to begin the actual transplant process.

However, week 1 ended with the first bump in the road.  All of the tests were perfect with one big exception.  The PET scan, which identifies cancer or tumors anywhere in the body, identified a tumor on the right side of my forehead.  Unfortunately, the scan can not determine if the tumor is cancerous or how quickly it may be growing.  This was definitely bad news and at a minimum will delay the transplant process.  The consensus opinion of the doctors is that the tumor is not related to my leukemia but had to be removed before moving forward with the transplant.  

I look at life as a series of choices as there are usually more than one option to choose from.  In this case, there really wasn't a second option to having the tumor removed and analyzed.  After all, I came here to be cured.  Continuing without understanding the seriousness of the tumor is not a cure.

So, I am scheduled to have the tumor surgically removed on Wednesday (October 14) in the afternoon.  The tumor will be biopsied to determine if it is cancerous and how quickly it is growing.  Since the tumor is "very small", the neurosurgeon is optimistic that he will get it all out successfully.  Assuming all goes well, I will need to recover for a minimum of 7-9 days before resuming the transplant process.  

I continue to be absolutely amazed at the quality of care at MD Anderson and confident that I'm in the best place possible to complete my journey.

Staying present and taking it day by day, 

Gary

Comments

  1. Steve FlynnOctober 12, 2020 at 11:31 PM

    Gary being the expert mountain biker that you are, you know how to successfully navigate all the bumps! I am confident that you will catch big air off this first bump, land it smoothly and will be right back on track. IMO, this is not bad news, it's good news as your docs found it, found it early and will remove it quickly before it causes any issues.
    Keep riding forward my man!
    We are all rooting for ya!

    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 13, 2020 at 9:39 AM

    Fortunately we have excellent medical professionals that will help get you through this. (as if you needed something else to deal with) Regardless Gary, I have great faith that you're going to make it through all of this. Hang in there buddy. All of our love to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 13, 2020 at 10:44 AM

    As you eloquently mentioned to me, "Nobody said this was going to be easy." You prepared for these bumps brilliantly by getting your body and mind in in tip top condition for any complications that arise. Although the timing may be a setback, it is actually fine-tuning for optimal conditions for "the process" to be most effective. I'm confident that this is a blessing the growth was discovered in its infancy. As Steve said above - Keep riding forward!
    Love you Brother -Dave

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownOctober 13, 2020 at 7:24 PM

    Dang BUMPS!! Luckily Your the best at handling bumps (years of practice on the slopes and on the trails) You got this! We are all sending you major good healing energy from Breckenridge.

    ReplyDelete

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