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Bill Boyd
I have tried to message people, but my organization skills aren't all they have been in the past. Some of you already know that I have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
It is small cell lung cancer which is classified in only two stages: limited and extensive. I fall into the extensive stage, as there were two spots: one in my lung and one in my liver. The biopsy was done on the spot in my liver, and tested positive for small cell lung cancer. Dr. Sholar, my oncologist, says that my case is not like most extensive cases, as they usually occur in heavy smokers and their bodies light up like Christmas on a PET scan. I have only two visible spots, which is somewhat encouraging. It is a fast growing cancer, so we have to act quickly. And it's known to spread to the brain, so they are doing a brain scan next week.
She has referred me to a lung specialist and a liver specialist to see about removing the lesions in both places, even though surgery is not usually an option in advanced stage. She thinks the liver guy will probably want to do some chemotherapy prior to surgery, to reduce the possibility of small, undetected, active spots. She is quite certain the cancer in my lung can be removed. Either way, there will be some chemo, at least, and possibly some radiation. I will see both of the specialists next week and go back to Dr. Sholar next Friday.
Life expectancy, in most cases can be measured in weeks, if untreated. It can be extended to months with chemo. In some cases it will "go away", but there is a strong possibility of recurrence within a year or two.
I promise to keep you guys up to date, as things progress.
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