Cancer Update

When we first looked into the Cyberknife about 6 or 7 weeks ago we had high hopes that maybe it could somehow be a cure for Rick's cancer. When we first met with the doctor he seemed optimistic that after 3 or 6 weeks of chemo followed by radiation with the cyberknife that Rick had a chance of fighting this.

The latest news is that the Radiation Therapist feels that at the rate the cancer is spreading the cyberknife would not be effective enough, fast enough. As he explained, treating the tumors in the liver or lungs is not even an option because there are just too many. Treating only the the large tumor in the pancreas in hopes of shrinking it in order to ease the pain it is causing, would not be fast enough for Rick to see much pain relief, basically it would be too much too late.

Also, Rick's Oncologist has no plans for any further treatment at this time. He wants Rick to "Be at peace with his maker". So basically two of our doctors have given up.

However, we are not quite ready to give up just yet. Rick still has a whole list of "honeydews".

We have an appointment with an oncologist who specializes in pancreatic cancer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute next week for a second opinion and a different oncologist at The Utah Cancer Specialists for a third opinion the following week. We are also going to see a radiologist who could perform a nerve ablation in the area of the largest tumor that would provide some much needed immediate pain relief.

Even though this isn't encouraging, we still have a little fight left in us! Keep us in your prayers and send any extra good energy you have our way and we'll put it to good use!!