On November 7, 2013, Dad's colonoscopy revealed that he had a large tumor growing in his Sigmoid Colon. When Dad asked for a description of the tumor, the doctor informed him it was about the size of a golf ball. Naturally, Dad began to refer to his tumor as "the damn dirty golf ball," "that rat bastard golf ball," and "the #$*#&@! dirty golf ball." In order to keep the web address PG, we settled on "the dirty golf ball."
Because of the colonoscopy results, the doctor ordered additional blood work. Those results showed that his tumor marker levels were just over 1400. The doctor noted that this was extremely high (normal levels are between 0 and 3.) The doctor was also pretty sure at this point that the mass was malignant but we had to wait for the pathology reports to confirm it. And they did. He was told that the mass was cancerous.
The decision to begin treatment at M.D. Anderson was immediate and the paper work was started. However, additional scans were needed in order to gain admission to M.D. Anderson as well as to determine if the cancer had metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body. On November 13, 2013 he underwent CT Scans and X-Rays to determine if the cancer had spread beyond the colon. At 4:15 p.m. that same day, we were called into the doctor's office to learn the results. Dad's cancer had metastasized. He has several tumors in his liver, ranging from very small to about 5.5 centimeters. He also has several small lesions on both lungs that are suspicious for cancer. We do not yet know if these are cancerous and must wait for additional testing once he arrives at M.D. Anderson. His diagnosis as of now is Stage IV Adenocarcinoma.
Because of the colonoscopy results, the doctor ordered additional blood work. Those results showed that his tumor marker levels were just over 1400. The doctor noted that this was extremely high (normal levels are between 0 and 3.) The doctor was also pretty sure at this point that the mass was malignant but we had to wait for the pathology reports to confirm it. And they did. He was told that the mass was cancerous.
The decision to begin treatment at M.D. Anderson was immediate and the paper work was started. However, additional scans were needed in order to gain admission to M.D. Anderson as well as to determine if the cancer had metastasized, or spread to other parts of the body. On November 13, 2013 he underwent CT Scans and X-Rays to determine if the cancer had spread beyond the colon. At 4:15 p.m. that same day, we were called into the doctor's office to learn the results. Dad's cancer had metastasized. He has several tumors in his liver, ranging from very small to about 5.5 centimeters. He also has several small lesions on both lungs that are suspicious for cancer. We do not yet know if these are cancerous and must wait for additional testing once he arrives at M.D. Anderson. His diagnosis as of now is Stage IV Adenocarcinoma.
Dr. Imad Shureiqi
His first appointment is November, 25, 2013 at noon. He will not be meeting with his oncologist (left) on the first day. He will be undergoing a series of tests to better understand the types, locations, and severity of the tumors. M.D. Anderson likes to run all of their own tests, even ones he's already had, just to be sure. They don't leave anything to chance. We love that about them. He will meet his oncologist, Dr. Imad Shureiqi, the following day at 9:00 a.m. He is a very experienced doctor and specializes in treating this type of cancer. He's Dad's new best friend. He also has a killer mustache.
From what we understand, treatment dates are set to begin very soon after the first appointment. We will post here as soon as we have that information. He is ready to attack this thing! Four days and counting...
From what we understand, treatment dates are set to begin very soon after the first appointment. We will post here as soon as we have that information. He is ready to attack this thing! Four days and counting...