Dumo Cell Carcinoma

Yesterday Dan received word that a tentative date was set for the operation: June 13th, at Royal Columbian Hospital in New West. There's still appointments to happen before then, a little more information to receive about the operation, and further decisions to be made. In the meantime, Dan is fitting in a few final days of work on the island, then headed home to spend a weekend in a cabin with his family. He's also let the Facebook world know, and has already seen an amazing outpouring of love and encouragement from friends and acquaintances and business relations. June 13th is one day after Dan and Maggie's seventh year anniversary. She keeps making the terrible, terrible joke that "this is taking the seven year itch just a step too far." Don't laugh, it encourages her. June 13th is ALSO one day after Tricia, Dan's sister, is due with her first baby boy. We'll be working to celebrate the anniversary, baby arrival, and Father...

As of May 29th, some slight updates. Dan learned today the majority of the tumor is actually in the inferior vena cava. If the tumor has grown into the artery walls, they'll have to cut out a portion of the artery and replace it with synthetic material. The hepatobiliary doctor hopes for a vena to vena bypass, rather than the arterial bypass the cardiologist mentioned. He also thinks the liver is not affected and that it's just the infected adrenal gland that is pushing up into it and causing the imaging to show the metastasizing to the liver. The hepatobiliary also suggests a diagonal cut along Dan, belly button to armpit, versus the belly button to throat we were told of before. There's also the possibility the left kidney will have to be tied off for some duration, meaning "it could take a hit," which means possible dialysis until it bounces back. All doctors are meeting today to discuss the operation plan, and to decide on a date for the operation. Dan...

Fuck Cancer. On May 17, Dan was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma. Routine bloodwork and a check up of a persistent cough led to Dan learning he was anemic. As his family doctor put it, "super anemic. I'm surprised you can function at all." Thankfully, the doctor didn't just leave it at "here's some iron supplements," and sent Dan for a chest X-ray and an ultrasound. The ultrasound led to a CT Scan on May 16, which led to emergency phone calls mid-movie, an asap appointment May 17, and the diagnoses of kidney cancer. On May 19, the first specialist Dan saw, a urologist, better explained what was happening. Dan has an 11cm cancerous tumor on his right kidney, growing through a renal vein and into the inferior vena cava, growing as a thrombus  up toward his heart. It has also begun to metastasize to his liver. Surgery is the first and only option at this point. Surgery will include a hepatobiliary specialist (liver), urologist (kidney), a cardi...