Quote Originally Posted by xudash View Post
Best of luck to you with what you are going through. Prayers.
Dash:

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. In June, I returned with my daughter from M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston where she had just completed two years research as part of her surgery residency at University Hospital. We drove back and while we were awaiting her belongings to be received here, the delivery was delayed and she was not at the hospital the day her belongings arrived. Good thing. While we waited, she noticed a lump on my throat. Noticeable but not obvious but, "Dad, you need an ultrasound."

Ultrasound leads to biopsy to a diagnosi of rare form of papillary cancer, Treatable with thyroid removal. Four days later path labs back and anaplastic cancer found incapsulated within the tumor. Daughter and wife go nuts because that appears to be bad news. Finally reach ENT surgeon who tells my wife that I am "the luckiest man in the world as I got it all". Daughter wants me to go to MD Anderson to get examined but insurance issues delayed getting there. Local oncologist is not so sure it is all gone although CT scans and PET scan are negative with no spread beyond one lymph node.

Tri-Health sets up mapping, beam radiation and chemo to start in Cincinnati with decent prognosis. MD Anderson okayed insurance and a week down there put me in the same place as far as diagnosis and treatment plan. I am running with the local doctor's goal of a cure so I think I am in a good spot. First week of radiation has gone okay and the chemo (low dose) has been tolerable.

Can't really afford to lose any more hair and drinking the equivalent of all the water in Lake Michigan on a daily basis but if that's what it will take then no big deal. My daughter is a Xavier grad who even with a stellar high school record was turned down by Notre Dame (a school where six of my siblings graduated). I had long since abandoned any affinity for the Irish; and consoling her after receipt of that rejection letter is seared into my memory.

I like to consider divine intervention in play along the way. Had she not gone to Xavier, she wouldn't have done research at Cincinnati Childrens' Hospital or gained early admittance to UC's med school. Doors close and they open up. Several years ago, she caught an early melanoma on my neck that in six months would have been a major problem. She has been my angel and I am truly blessed. The overwhelming support by people I barely know has been unbelievable. I believe in prayer and thank you for yours as well.

Finally, your avatar of the football stadium is so appropriate for me as someone who grew up on Xavier football and who has fond memories of games at Corcoran Field.