Cancer Round 2..surgery is set.
Well folks, here I am once again after another trip to Stanford University. Another early morning wake up, another early morning road trip to the bay area.
We left about 0430 Monday morning, topped up the tank, picked up some caffeine and off we went. No doughnut holes this time….lol.
The trip was uneventful, not much to see that early in the morning, but the headlights from the others on the interstate.
Everything was going smooth up until we got a few miles from our exit to get on Highway 85, that is when a big rig full of scrap metal flipped over on the highway we were on, the 101. It seemed to take a long time to get through there, we must have spent an hour and a half in traffic. I was worried that I would not make it to my CAT scan on time. We finally managed to get to the imaging center with time to spare, so they were nice enough to get me in early and get the scan done with. I still can’t get used to how the contrast makes you feel like you are burning up from the inside.
After the scan, we headed to the Stanford Mall to kill a few hours before my appointment with Dr. P. We just looked around and window shopped. We did stop in at Sprinkles and bought a couple of cupcakes. And I did spot a sports figure, for all of you that know football, we saw Jim Plunkett, former two time Super Bowl champion quarterback for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders back in the day. He was buying some veggies at a small outdoor market.
Anyways, so off to the Stanford cancer center we went after the mall. We had some lunch before checking in to meet with Dr P. One of his assistants came in to talk to me and ask some questions, that took about 20 mins.
Dr. P was running about two hours behind schedule, so it made for a long wait in the exam room. I did doze off a few times while waiting…lol.
So finally Dr. P comes in to discuss the CAT scan with me. He said that the mass has increased in size that that my markers doubled from 4.2 to 8.4.
We talked about surgery and then set a date to have this bad boy removed. Nov. 18 at 0730 is the date now. He said that he will cut me open along the same line as the hemi I had and that he would go in, take the mass out, look around, do some cleaning up if he has to and put in some mesh, not like a man made mesh, but a flesh mesh that is made/grown from a donor, sort of like a skin graft.
He said it will hurt like hell, but I already knew that from the hemi. He wants me to do a bowel prep the day before surgery just in case he has to mess with me colon.
One weeks stay in the hospital and then two three week follow ups with him.
That means for now three more trips to Stanford, heck, I should enroll in some classes there…lol.
Love,
Eli
Ann, I too hope that this is the last time I have to deal with cancer. But if it shows up again, I will always be ready to fight it again.
Posted on 
With you this whole journey…get this over and done with….You only deserve what is good in the world. You will beat this. Hugs, Rachel xo
Posted on Know you’re in my prayers. I’m sorry for all this. I really am. Cancer sucks. Sending you my warm wishes and hugs!
Ruth
Posted on I hate that you have to go through more surgery but then I just know you will be cancer-free forever! NED is waiting for you. I wish I could give you a huge hug so I’ll send you a cyber one.
Love ya!
Donna
Posted on I guess I won’t be doing sit ups any time soon huh?...lol. Not that I do them now anyway. Surgery will suck, but I’ll get through it once again. ((hugs))
My brother,
Prayers and well wishes and all that. You and I have been here a long time. I am claiming victory for you.
Mac
Posted on So sorry to hear you have more surgery scheduled, but you seem to be taking in stride and with a sense of humor which is always so much better than stressing over it. If it has to be done, it had to be done and you will come out better for it in the long run. Please do keep us posted when you are up to typing after surgery.
Tj
OD@aT
Posted on Dear Eli—
I feel terrible that you are having to go through surgery again, but I know you will get through it, heal up, and be back to your old self in no time. Your positive attitude and humor will serve you well in getting through this rough patch. It goes without saying that we are all here for you and cheering you on. I will certainly be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.
Love,
Martha
Posted on I guess instead of lazing around the house, I will be lazing around the hospital. I hope to keep ya’ll up to date while I’m in there. I will find a way. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers my friend.
Love you.
Oh, Eli. You and Ann can each have a tiara, and then the surgeries need to be finished.Enough!NED is waiting for you.
Posted on I’m not getting into any beauty contests with Eli-he’d kick my butt!
Posted on Will this be a surgery only or will yo face chemo as well? You hang in there friend, they have busted me open 5 times and I have yet to cry Uncle :D and your lots tougher than me! Love to you!
Posted on Hi friend, I won’t know about chemo/rad until after they open me up. I just hope they don’t try to feed me cream of mushroom soup again….BLAH! : )
Yikes, that’s nasty. They kept bringing me tomato…hello, who has no colon and craps acid do we really think tomato soup is the best choice? Idiots! (and I mean that with upmost respect) bah hah hahhhhh
I lived off the chicken broth, it was soooooo very good. Maybe I should take my own huh?...lol
It is a thought…they never seem to have much patience for special requests :)
oh Eli, we should just both go to Stanford together, be roomies and they should pay us to take classes! I am praying so hard for you buddy! I want to scream right now!
We gotta keep on pushing each other!
love and hugs,
amy
Posted on You and I will be okay my friend. Hang in there. It would be fun to be roomies together, I can talk your ear off…lol. Love you.
I’d talk your ear off too buddy! I love you Eli and don’t you ever give up, we must make a pack to never ever give up!
hugs and love
amy
Eli, you are such an amazing friend, fighter, role model for your tenacity, your humor and spirit. I know you have a fantastic team that will help you corral the beast and put it to rest once again. I have you in my thoughts and heart, as always.
xoxo
Posted on 
I’m glad that you got those cupcakes, Eli! And you know my best wishes, hopes and prayers will be with you the whole way-may this be the last time you have to deal with this stupid cancer (because that will mean I win the contest for most abdominal surgeries, and I won’t have to give up the tiara). Ann