Recently, Death came knocking on my door. I did not answer; it seemed like the smart thing to do. It worked.
Now, I have completed treatment for my abdominal cancer (Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, often referred to as PMP). I’m in remission, and my oncologic surgeon expects me to live a reasonably healthy, full life.
Despite the miraculous treatment outcome, I’m still a long way from normal. My recovery continues as I focus on healing, regaining strength, and putting on weight. While I concentrate on a return to good health, I will gradually re-engage in professional life between now and the end of the year.
I wish my progress were much quicker. However, as I look back over my shoulder, I realize that I’ve been on an extraordinary journey over the past seven months. Here’s a brief recap of what has happened:
February 2014 — Leading up to my routine physical, I knew it would be more than routine. My abdomen had become inexplicably distended despite having shed some extra weight. In addition, I had a persistent cough for more than a month.
At my February physical, my doctor poked around and, with a concerned look on his face, told me he wanted me to have an abdominal CT Scan. While inconclusive, the CT Scan showed growths and fluid build-up. More tests and visits to specialists immediately followed as part of the diagnostic process.
March 2014 — By the end of March, my lead cancer specialist gave me my diagnosis and prognosis. He informed me that I had PMP, a rare cancer with fewer than 1,000 diagnosed cases worldwide each year. The doctor believed that I likely had the slow-growing appendiceal form of PMP, and that I probably had it for about ten years. Without treatment, my life expectancy would be about two years. Unfortunately, given the severity of my case, treatment would likely only give me a five-year life expectancy.
Treatment for my form of PMP involves surgery and HIPEC, a heated chemo infusion at the time of surgery. The Philadelphia PMP expert held out little hope that treatment would be able to remove all of the disease. However, he did recommend that we get a second opinion from Dr. David Bartlett at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Bartlett and his team are among the world’s most experienced at treating and researching PMP. So, based on our own investigation and the recommendations of multiple doctors, we made an appointment with Dr. Bartlett.
April 2014 — My wife and I traveled across Pennsylvania to meet with Dr. Bartlett. While he agreed with the Philadelphia specialist about the severity of my condition, he was more hopeful that he could achieve a successful outcome. Following the exam and discussion, I was given a tour of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit and the hospital floor where I would be. In addition to having great confidence in the surgical team, I also developed tremendous confidence in the experienced nursing staff. Before leaving Pittsburgh, I committed to have the surgery done at UPMC.
May 2014 — On May 2, I had my surgery. The surgery and HIPEC procedure lasted nearly 14 hours. During that time, the doctors removed my omentum, spleen, gallbladder, appendix, one-third of my stomach, one-third of my intestines, and pieces of my liver. In addition, other organs were scraped clean of cancerous growths. When I awoke, I learned that the surgeons were able to remove all of the cancer. After nearly three weeks in the hospital, I was discharged and traveled home a few days later knowing I could expect a full life.
June 2014 — At home, I continued my recovery. Blood tests revealed that my cancer markers had returned to normal levels confirming that I was in remission. Unfortunately, my recovery was not without serious setbacks. On two occasions, my digestive track stopped working which required trips to the emergency room; each time, I was admitted to the hospital for four days. During these stays, the doctors determined that I was dehydrated, likely because of issues with my digestive track. However, following the second incident, I had a different theory.
I suspected that dehydration was the cause of my digestive track shutting down rather than the other way around. After much research, I contacted a local oncologist who was part of my initial diagnostic process. He was willing to test my theory and arranged for me to have prophylactic saline fluid infusions, just a few blocks from my home, twice per week to help keep me hydrated. It worked! I felt much better as a result, and I was able to stay out of the hospital.
July 2014 — With my condition stabilized, my wife and I returned to Pittsburgh for my follow-up surgery. The initial procedure had left me with a temporary ileostomy so that my resectioned intestines could heal. The hour-and-a-half reversal surgery went smoothly. After nearly a week in the hospital, I was discharged. Then, my wife and I remained in Pittsburgh for several more days until I was fit for the seven-hour trip back home.
August 2014 — The second surgery solved my hydration challenge; so, I no longer need fluid infusions. Since the surgery, I’ve been gradually reintroducing previously excluded foods back into my diet. Sadly, I’m still not able to eat legumes, cruciferous vegetables, and sugar. However, over time, I should be able to consume almost all foods, at least in moderation.
September 2014 — As my diet has slowly improved, with the advice of a skilled nutritionist, I’ve finally begun to put on some much-needed weight, but it’s just a start. My surgical wounds are now healed. A visiting nurse has been checking on me twice a week to make sure that I healed properly and that my vital signs remain satisfactory. In addition, a physical therapist has given me some light exercises to do that will help me tone my atrophied muscles without burning too many precious calories.
At this point, my medical treatment is done though careful monitoring will continue. I’ll have blood tests and scans four times per year, and my surgeon will examine me annually. Other than that, it’s up to me to gradually do more of what I have been doing: resting, eating, and exercising.
I’ve been on a long, brutal journey. Fortunately, I’ve ended up victorious though the challenges of recovery continue. But, the happy bottom line is that I’m a cancer survivor!
My wife and I continue to appreciate the kind, supportive prayers, comments, Tweets, messages, notes, cards, calls, and visits we have received.
I’m not sure when I’ll return to regular blogging, but I anticipate it will be before the end of the year. When I do resume my blog postings, I’ll have a couple of celebratory surprises for you to mark the occasion. If you have not already subscribed (free of charge), you can do so in the right-hand column so you’ll receive an alert when I post. In addition, subscribers will receive a link to a free e-book by philanthropy researcher Dr. Russell James.
That’s what Michael Rosen says… What do you say?
UPDATE (January 17, 2015): The results of my follow-up blood tests and CT Scan are in: I remain in remission! Based on this superb news, my medical team is now recommending semi-annual rather than quarterly follow-up testing. As my recovery continues, things are looking bright.
