Official Plan

It only took a week but we have the official plan! We even have trial consent forms to sign!

So here are the details.

Radiation starts Monday and will run through Friday, daily down in the Med Center! Dr. Ludmir (radiation oncologist) struck us as a real life version of Phineas from Phineas and Ferb. He had a mad scientist vibe to him. We could tell instantly that Dr. Morris and he were good friends. 

When Dr. Dude (Morris) had mentioned radiation first then surgery, we were confused as radiation was not suppose to be helpful with Alan's type of cancer, nor had it ever been presented as an option before now. Dr. Phineas (Ludmir) spent time explaining fully that radiation is not to shrink the tumor but really to "give it a shave," as Alan rephrased back to him. The 5 day short course radiation will clean up the edges and hopefully make the margins cleaner and easier for Dr. You in the tumors' extraction. He also explained all the potential side effects and time line of their presentation. We are trying not to focus on the chances of the negatives but on the awesome positives that this plan could give us. 

During the week Alan will also go through some additional testing that Dr. You (Colorectal Surgeon) wants in order to have a clearer picture for surgery. This testing includes a MRI, PET Scan, and another colonoscopy. I won't bore you with all the reasons why on the testing, so we are currently waiting on all that to be scheduled. Also, she said we will have a consult with the Peritoneal Surgeon next week. And Covid Testing is scheduled for Saturday Oct 15th, so stay the heck away if you have any slight symptoms!! He needs this surgery with no delays. 

Surgery will be the morning of Monday, Oct 17th. Dr. You is lead with the peritoneal and urology surgeons assisting as necessary. We met with Dr. You for the 4th time since his first recurrence in 2018. We both really like her. She's kinda got a big sister vibe to the three doctor team we have right now. You can tell she likes and respects Dr. Morris and Dr. Ludmir but that she also views them kinda how we do!

She spent a good while with us, explaining the need for all the testing, the surgery, the potential side effects/risks of the surgery, the likelihood of small peritoneal tumors and need for both the urologist and peritoneal doctors. We feel confident in her abilities and in the likely results of the surgery. 

Alan could be inpatient at MDA Med Center for 1-2 weeks and we won't know more until post surgery! And MDA is allowing 1 caregiver, plus only 1 adult visitor per day! Yikes!

So here are the prayer needs:

• Radiation side effects are minimal. 
• Uncomplicated scheduling of additional testing and consults next week. 
• Surgeon hands are steady and precise. 
• Complete removal of all cancer. 
• Minimal side effects from surgery. 
• Ease of resection. 
• UIL Region to go well for girls on 10/18.
• Homecoming week to go smooth for girls without being able to visit their dad after such a major surgery. 
• Details surrounding my back and forth from the Med Center to home. 
• Details surrounding all of the normal work and home stuff for both Alan and I, as Bandtober is usually chaotic enough!
• No guilt for me when I am not at one or the other place. 
• No guilt for Alan with not being at things while he recovers. 
• Better than anticipated healing.
• Emotions surrounding the "throw everything, including the kitchen sink at it" approach. 
• And everything I can't even begin to think of yet. 

Our hearts are heavy, not going to lie. The reality of the MASSIVE nature of this surgery, recovery, and odds has hit pretty hard in the last week. None of us still have processed fully through all that! We may not until it's all over. BUT our hopes are high as our hope is in God, as this is the plan He has laid before us. He is the author and creator of life. He is not surprised by the last year. NONE of it has caught Him off guard. We know He is working all things together for good, even when we can't see it. So we walk by faith and trust in Him to heal Alan. The road may be hard, but it's easier because we don't walk alone. 

- Mel