2nd Opinion Comes back the same if not worse

I went to Vanderbilt today to get a second opinion and well it didn't go well. I had intentions of seeing a specialist that I had looked at on line that was the head of his department. After driving 3 hours and waiting another 2 hours to see him, they finally took me upstairs. Into the room walked a very young student. She asked me to tell her about my self and what was going on with me as to get the ball rolling and I just paused and said, Wheres the doctor? Next developed a small lecture as to the need for students to learn and so forth and well with out going into all the details I finally did get to see the fellow I had intended to. He gave me the same news as I had already had. Only with him it was No Cure, No Hope, We can palliative treat you for a while but there is just no good answer to the cancer. He agrees that its probably Gastric but can't be for sure. He estimates 8 or 9 months.

Now what ..... I have just gotta get this figured out. I won't let this be the end of me.

Upper Gi test and Endoscopy with Biosey

Another test that hopefully will help to find the primary source of the cancer was done today. I had a Upper GI test and Endoscopy with Biopsy. The checked out my throat and stomach - results were that they found three tumors in my stomach and they took a biopsy of them. Will get results from Pathologist back in a few days. Doctor orders new meds. This was a relative easy test, as they put me to sleep and when I woke back up, I found myself in my room and it was done and over with. My son Jeffrey drove me home.

Bone and Brain Scans - More Tests

I had my Brain Scan CT with Contrast today ($1500.00) and a complete Bone Scan with nuclear Medicine. My first stay at the hospital for the first two Ct scans were $7500.00 - I wonder how much these will cost knowing that they are using this Nuclear Medicine and stuff. Things are adding up fast. Won't get the results for another couple of days. Tests were very easy as compared to the others I have had. Just didn't like them sticking me three different times trying to get their IV started. I hope this either finds the primary site or comes back clear.

A Dance with my daughter on her Wedding Day

Today my Daughter was married! What a great day it was. It was one of the best days in my life. I danced with her and held her and just didn't want to let go. She's all grown up now, married and of on a great journey through life. What a blessing God has given me to be able to see her Married and witness such a wonderful occasion. If shes lucky her marriage will last like mine has. Dawn and I have been married for over 30 years. I am just so proud to have such a wonderful family and I feel especially lucky to have them.

How will I make everything work out?

I'm so afraid of the future. I'm Scared, I admit it. Sometimes I cry at night. I sound as if I'm a big baby. I'm not angry, I'm not resentful. It's know one Else's fault I have cancer and I have been blessed by my God that he's given me such a wonderful life. But still I'm scared. I never sleep, and more than ever time is flying by even faster now that I need it to creep by worse than ever. I don't want to die. How will I make everything work out? That's always been my job as a dad and a husband but I'm scared. How will my wife make it after I'm gone. Hows she going to pay the bills without my income? Social security won't give her Disability payments or Survivor Payments until she turns 6o. I won't be here to figure things out. This is the worst part of it all not knowing if I can leave them in a position to be able to make ends meet. I have to get our bills paid down so that she can make it on her check alone. She won't have my checks anymore. I don't want to load her down with tons of medical bills either. We have some insurance but not enough. No cancer policy. No Short term or long term disability and hardly any life insurance. I'm not sure if it would even cover the cost of a funeral. I should have thought of these things earlier but like everything else you put off scrimp and save and make sure your kids and others come first. I never seem to have any funds left over for me much less time after working everyday of your life and many times two jobs a week for years.

Diagnoses - Adenocarcinoma of Unknown Primary Site - Stage 4

Went back to see the oncologist Friday. Needless to say I was pretty Scared. He didn't have good news. His Diagnoses - Adenocarcinoma of Unknown Primary Site. Stage 4. He says its not curable. He estimates I have 6months to a year to live. He says due to my age of 47 and the fact that all my primary organs are clear so far of any type of mass, with treatment I might make it another 12 months or so. Just depends every ones different and some take to treatment better than others. He says we should probably treat my cancer as a "Adenocarcinoma of the lung" since we are with out knowing the primary source. He says that's about a 40 % chance of being right. He recommends that I come back Monday and get a Brain and Bone scan done and on Tuesday to get a Upper GI done.

Needle Biopsy - Not much Fun

They Lied!!! SAaid it wouldn't hurt - Wanna bet...

It hurt a lot I mean a lot. I arrived at the hospital that morning at 5:30am early. After registering they took me to a room and had me change into hospital attire. Check my blood pressure, took more blood, and set me up for an IV. In about a hour or so they came and got me and took me back for my test. First the gave me a regular CT of the Stomach. Then they gave me contrast dye and positioned the needle by drawing on me. Then they gave me some local anesthesia to deaden the area and they stuck the 5 foot long pipe in me wow it hurt and they then gave more pain medication. it finally got over with and I was back to my room for some rest and sleep. Brooke took me back home for the day and I slept.