marco ------------ polo

First off, I would like to apologize. I wanted to contact each of you individually with this news. It seems so impersonal to hear it from a blog. I tried to get as many as you as I could but it got exhausting. On top of that, the radiation simply wipes me out. It's the worst side effect. I'm sure you all understand.

The news is this; the cancer has spread. They found signs in my liver and in my lungs. All involved believe it is the original colon cancer just going for a road trip, not new cancer springing up. To be honest, even though my oncologist explained that to me a million times, I'm still not sure if that is good or bad. Marie, please don't try and explain it to me, just let me wallow for a while.

As we were discovering the existence of this other cancer, my pain management doctor was tying to determine the cause of an excruciating pain I've been having for the last couple of months now. He and my oncologist felt that a small node on my hip may be the culprit. They both believed that by shrinking the tumor they could eradicate the pain. I agreed to go along with it, the pain I was experiencing was excruciating. It was mostly in my belly but it would also spread to my lower back. It would keep me up at night, wake me from a sound sleep, prevent me from standing straight. We had tried so many other remedies and it seemed to me we were getting to the end of the rope.

Next week, Tuesday the 16th, I will start chemo. Chemo will be once a week, radiation will be once a week.

and oh.....apparently I quit smoking. keep your fingers crossed for that one.

Love you all!

Billy