Tuesday, July 20, 2010

How bad is it?

One of the things that I have noticed over the past couple of months having all these fancy tests done on these big expensive pieces of machinery is that the exam rooms are all freezing cold. To combat the frigid air in the rooms, the facilities offer you these heated blankets. These things are awesome. If you ever have to go into the hospital for any reason and they offer you one of these blankets, take it or you will regret it. It doesn’t matter if you are cold or not, these things have special powers or something. You feel better almost instantaneously.

I am not sure what is worse, though: the preparation or the tests themselves. I have always been a big eater and skipping a meal just wasn’t something that I ever did. In order for some of these tests to be accurate, the instructions state that I wasn’t to eat any solid foods for several hours prior to the procedure, usually 8 to 12 hours. I wasn’t allowed to have anything in my stomach or my colon. They didn’t want anything trying to push the scopes back out, if you know what I mean.

Living in a house where gourmet meals are prepared nightly for dinner, the sweet aroma of food fills the air, making it that much harder for me to follow instructions. Breakfast hours are typically accompanied by some sweet smells as well. It’s not like I couldn’t fill up on chicken broth and liquid jello, but you can image how unsatisfying that would be when you are sitting at the same table as somebody with a plate full of eggs, bacon, buttermilk biscuits with homemade jam, and fresh fruit. There was also no hiding from the scent of freshly brewed French vanilla coffee.

The week is moving pretty fast and I am bouncing from one exam room to the next. Each test has its own specific purpose, which is to give us detailed information about the size and severity of Trudy. After a colonoscopy followed by an ultrasound as well as a pelvic MRI, Friday morning’s PET CT was the final test. Not expecting to hear the result until after the weekend, surprisingly the call comes in around 10pm Friday evening. Turns out, Trudy is quite the aggressive little tumor. I am told that I have stage 4 colorectal cancer and that the tumor has made its way all the way through the tissue of the colon and is starting to effect the muscles on the pelvic wall. As if that wasn’t enough, greedy little Trudy has also made her way into the lymph nodes of the pelvis and she has also traveled up into the liver. Somewhere along the way we determined the definition of Trudy is “strong spear.” I’ll say…

As you might expect, this news was pretty devastating for my family and me to hear. Several hugs, a few tears, and a good night’s sleep later, I wake up with that same unbelievable inner peace that I experience when I was first diagnosed with cancer. This battle is going to be a lot tougher than originally expected, but I am ready for the challenge. The bigger the battle, the bigger the victory, the bigger the celebration. Now we must start meeting doctors and select the team that is going to be managing each phase of this treatment. Right now we are looking at a four stage regimen that should take somewhere in the ballpark of 9 months: 1) chemo for 2 months 2) chemo with radiation for 6 weeks, followed by 6 weeks of “cool off” time 3) multiple surgeries with approx 12 weeks of recovery 4) 4-8 weeks of chemo. Does anybody know if Santa makes trips to the hospital?

13 comments:

  1. A sense of humor and the strength to name the tumor and fight it like hell!!!!! Prayers with you.....fight the fight and never give up! May Trudy go away soon....

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  2. Errick,

    You're an inspiration to me! As a cancer survivor myself, your descriptions, observations, fears, and courage have reminded me of my encounter with my own "Trudy", and the importance of having loving, caring, family and friends nearby. While they won't always know what to say or do, their presence is like Gold. Someone once told me about providing support...you've heard the old expression that goes, "don't just sit there, DO something"! When supporting others in difficult times, I was told to think in terms of the opposite..."don't do something, just SIT there!"

    May you continue to have many people who "just sit there"!

    God is good...always!

    Ray Bennett, Kent ISD

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  3. Errick, you are a rock. You may not always feel rock-like, especially during chemo, but I think the sun shines on you and Laurie and Hudson. Keep the faith - we're all praying for Trudy's destruction.

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  4. I could dress up as santa...but i would look like more of an elf....either or..i will put on a beard just for u :-P I'm glad you guys have a plan in place. One day at a time!

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  5. and i thought cutting the tip of my finger off the other day was bad...

    i'm usually pretty quick for a snarky comment, but after reading, i'm at a loss for words. i can say that we're thinking of you and the family and hope you kick Trudy's ass!

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  6. Errick, I just found out about everything you've been going through and I'm just completely out of words. After reading your blog I’m just amazed at how strong and positive you’ve been. Good luck with everything and I look forward to reading about how you beat Trudy. Just remember that you’re the quarterback…lead that team to victory. Good luck and God Bless.

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  7. I'm beyond sorry that you had to go through everything you went through only to discover the worst.

    I'm so very sorry. I hope you can find your health at the other end of this.

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  8. Errick - My heart goes out to you and your family. I KNOW you have the strength to fight this. If you were here, I'd give you a hug, but you're not, so I'm sending you a giant virtual hug over the 'net. My thoughts and prayers are with you. "Trudy" doesn't know who she's dealing with!!!

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  9. I will keep you in my prayers. I am inspired by your strength and postive outlook. God Bless!

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  12. I did have an account yay! I read your blog today, Holly (my sis) told me I had to read it. I have to admit I was afraid because I like to live in the workd of denial. SO in a way reading your blog was ...like making what is happening to you more real (if that makes any sense at all)! So just a couple of things I am extremely proud of you and am amazed at the strength and courage you have shown. You give a whole new meaning to the word MAN! WOW! Keep up the fight if there is anyone I know can kick Trudy's ass it is you. After reading your blog and knowing it has been about oh what 10 or more years since I have seen you or even talked to you I can tell through your writing you are still the great springy I remember and knowing that you are definately going to kick trudys ass I mean come on this is Erricck Springfield Trudy! What are you thinking? You picked the wrong guy!! Keep writing and we will keep praying!!! Prayers to you and your family. And I have to say you have an amazing wife!! I can tell you two are a perfect match!!! Keep up the Fight!

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  13. Errick, you are so NOT worthless. Showing your terrific strength and belief is worth more than words could ever describe. Certainly more than any task or more money could buy. Your very being is the ultimate in worth and I know that Laurie and Hudson are far from the only ones that feel that way. You offer so much to so many just being you. My heart is so full with pride and love. You a truly amazing man and will teach Hudson so many great things and he too will be an amazing man just like you. I wish I could find better words to express what I feel in my heart and how wonderful I really believe you are. I love you so much. God hold you tightly always.

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