Igor Revisited.

Well, I just spoke with the liver specialist--there's good news, and there's bad news. The good news is that I do not have to undergo surgery next week. The bad news is the why I don't have to undergo surgery next week: based on the results of the PET scan and CT scan that I underwent in January, the liver specialist has determined that the cancer is in both sides of my liver, and that surgery would not help me at this time. The plan now, after speaking to my oncologist, is to resume and complete my chemotherapy program, then see how the cancer has responded. I will probably have to undergo surgery at some later date, but it's best to let the chemo do its work first.

Igor is proving to be tenacious.

I have to confess, when the doctor told me that the cancer was in both sides of my liver, I felt a thrill of terror. I'd like to think that I can face this with some dignity and restraint, but I'm hearing those dry bones squeak by a little too often for my comfort. I'm not Randy Pausch, folks--I've got things to do yet, and the thought of not getting them done before it comes time to punch out the time clock fills me with a terrible sadness.

I also have to confess a certain level of anger; up until today, I was led to believe that the cancer was limited to only a portion of my liver, and that this ordeal might be over before the end of the year. Now I find out things are a bit more serious. Shouldn't the specialist been consulted before I was taken off chemo? Granted, all I've lost is a week or two, but given how hard it was to schedule the liver consult, why couldn't they complete the course first? And why hasn't there been any follow-up scans? Shouldn't the most recent data be available for the specialist to examine before surgery was scheduled?

Ah well--water under the bridge.

I suppose I should be thankful--at least I have health insurance. And a job--for now.