The Diagnosis

On Thursday Feb 21 the doctor says 70-80% curable (pretty good odds); OK... but is the cancer anywhere else (he didn't discuss that factor); that little issue could drastically change my odds severely. Doc schedules a PET/CAT scan for the following day with a biopsy for Tuesday. I like this guy he's moving quick and with authority at the hospital. So their office calls the insurance company for pre-authorization and of course they deny the test due to a pre-existing condition. Really...don't remember having throat cancer before, but apparently they do? Don't you love insurance companies - they advertise how important it is to have until one has an accident, at which time they will strategically plan how not to pay that claim. Loved my doctor's response, "that's ridiculous and we're doing it anyhow, it would be negligent of me not to scan!". He told me not to worry and he would help with insurance company.

Things are moving quick and I don’t have time to really process this situation, yet. Amazing how your life can go sideways instantly, nothing else matters at this point; life is now on hold. My wife and kids rally around me which was a great feeling. We call family and friends about my news, which in turn prompts much prayer. But I’m alternating between being a walking zombie and thinking this is all a bad dream, very surreal. My wife and kids each select a task for research to provide some answers/knowledge of what we will be dealing with. I’m not helpful, walking dead. I come out of my “coma” (or numbness) Monday morning, which I’m calling Phase 1 – the shock phase that lasted about 3 days.

Now I’m into Phase 2 – reality, processing the news and life going forward. The shock is over and is replaced with anxiety, fear and multiple what-if scenarios. Now I have to really deal with my condition. How does one deal with life-changing events? Do I approach this with New England “yankee” thinking, or should I start reading the many books on this subject. Easy decision, I choose the books and select the greatest book ever written, The Bible. In retrospect, that was a very difficult but rewarding week and will discuss later how God provided (in the next posting).  Also, gonna go "yankee" too, funny story.

So it is now Tuesday and prior to biopsy my doctor comes and discusses the results of the PET scan. Cancer is only found in my throat and lymph nodes. Good news! The scan is quite amazing, they inject you with a radioactive material which has a glucose molecule attached to it – our normal cells run away from the radioactive material but the cancer cells are terrorists, they could care less, they only want the glucose as they LOVE sugar. (Stay away from sugar!) Apparently, the cancer is dining on this radioactive sugar molecule and they will literally light-up on the scanned pictures.

On Friday is my meeting with the oncologist to the discuss biopsy results. My doctor walks in with a mask on as he is sick and starts the meeting by asking me why I am there to see him. Thought his question was odd because I was there for answers not the other way around. Not a good start from my perspective but he is sick so I need to relax. He continues along asking questions but I’m chomping at the bit to see if this thing has metastasized and what stage is it. It appears his formula is to save the results for last as your patient is nervously awaiting and squirming for answers. Finally I cut in and politely say, “doc your killing me, could you please tell me the results”. He says sure, you have Stage 4(a) throat cancer that originated in the tonsil and has spread to back on tongue and two lymph nodes. It has not metastasized.  I thank God for those results, it could have been worse.

My cancer is growing more on the surface making surgery extremely difficult and sensitive. It basically encompasses one half of my throat. My cancer is also HPV positive, will discuss this condition and my options at a later date.