"To get through the hardest journey, we need take only one step at a time... but we must keep on stepping."

Hi Everyone!
I'm pretty new at this "blog thing" but Ronnie suggested I do one so everyone would be able to follow Alan's progress through this journey and send him well-wishes along the way.

~ Juli

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"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

In mid August Alan made an appointment with a gastroenterologist, Dr. Vincent A. Gibbert, because he was having some stomach issues. An endoscopy was performed on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 at which time a very suspicious tumor was found in the lower part of his esophagus. A biopsy was done and a follow-up appointment was scheduled for the next day.

The news was not good. Alan was diagnosed with Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

"I am a bear-of-very-little-brain, and long words bother me."

Winnie the Pooh

Although commonly associated with lung cancer, adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in cells lining glandular types of internal organs, such as the lungs, breasts, colon, prostate, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, and cervix.

A P.E.T. scan was scheduled for the following Friday but, because of the Monday holiday, the gastroenterologist did not receive the report until Tuesday, September 2nd.

Because this cancer is known to be extremely aggressive - the typical "plan of action" is to quickly begin chemotherapy, radiation, and - once the tumor 's size is reduced - surgery is performed to remove the affected part of the esophagus, and re-attach the stomach to the remaining part. Everything sounded "scary but hopeful" so Alan was anxiously preparing to move forward with the plan.

However, after Dr. Gibbert's further review of the studies, it was determined that in just 3 days the tumor had already increased in size! His opinion was that there was not enough time to wait for the chemotherapy to shrink the tumor so his office contacted Dr. Randall B. Brown, a well-respected Macon Cardiothoracic Surgeon. Alan met with him on Tuesday and was prepared to enter the hospital immediately.

This would not be the case. Dr. Brown explained to Alan that the adenocarcinoma had moved vertically up his esophagus, was in the mucin, had "infiltrated" -- (his word) -- the mucous membranes in the top part of the stomach, and there appeared to be some possibility of lymph node "involvement" -- (again, his word). With that said, the original "scary but hopeful" plan has been postponed.

Because of Alan's inability to eat, he has become extremely malnourished. The "new" plan of action will require him to build up a "nutritional level" that will give him some much needed strength to prepare for the possibility of surgery at a later date.

If the surgery proves to be his best option, Alan will travel to Charleston , S.C. and the surgery will be performed by THE top surgeon in this field, Dr. Carolyn E. Reed. To learn more about the surgery, you can go to:

http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/cgi/reprint/4/2/95.pdf

In the meantime, Dr. Brown has ordered additional tests to be performed in order to determine the scope of the disease and options for treatment. No doubt this next week will be a busy one for Alan!

Dr. Brown believes that medicine and miracles go hand-in-hand. Please pray for both.

A blessing from Genie...

I too am lifting you up in prayer - praying for an extra measure of courage and strength. I pray that we, your friends and family will be the people you need us to be during this journey.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you; and make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6: 24-26