What I have been diagnosed with is a rare and aggressive type of cancer.
Selfie outside the Precision Cancer building at the UCSF Mission Bay campus
It has scared the crap out of me, and I am just starting to call it out by name in order to face it directly.
Cholangiocarcinoma. AKA Biliary Tract carcinoma. Or just bile duct cancer. Its specific location earns another label, a Klatskin tumor.
It’s a nasty cancer. The general prognosis is dismal.
But it looks like I could be among the few who are candidates for “curative” surgery, the only way to beat this thing. Tests done this past week at the University of California San Francisco Precision Cancer Building in San Francisco’s Mission Bay appear to have found no evidence the cancer has spread beyond the original location. That would seem to make a surgical approach in my case more viable.
i’m awaiting the “official” assessment of the surgical oncology option, which I expect to get soon.
Ths is, of course, only a very short version of what has been happening over the past seven weeks as the process of diagnosing and devising a treatment plan has been underway, initially in Hawaii and then in San Francisco.
The selfie was taken early Monday morning, April 13, as I waited for the building at UCSF to open so that I could check in for another CT Scan. I was probably looking more beaten up by the end of the week.
Please keep those positive vibes coming!
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Ian, this is dreadful news but advances in cancer treatment are galloping ahead. What was untreatable is now so often the subject of groundbreaking advances.
May this be a challenge you and the medics overcome, giving you something to tell us about in greater detail when it’s behind you.
With Aloha and prayers,
Bruce Graham
Yes, the rapid advances in treatments has kept me away from Google or other online searches, which I have personally found to be all too fallable. I’ll gladly accept the aloha and prayers! Thank you.
prayers
prayers
Sending lots of positive, good vibes to you and praying for a successful outcome! May the force be with you!
“as I replace negative, unproductive thoughts with images of wellness, I participate in a healing of my total being. I visualize, believe in, and accept my good.”
Thinking of you Ian and sending lots of Aloha and positive thoughts your way during treatment and recovery.
Dear Ian
All best wishes for a speedy recovery. The cats and your public need you
Aloha from a fan
John Fleckles
Wishing you the best. You have a great attitude.
I won’t say “thanks” for that update, but I do feel privileged to have read this – and ALL of your posts.
Clearly (to me, anyway) taking a hiatus from writing wasn’t really what you wanted, was it? In my case, I quite often write famously (“notoriously” might be a better choice of words) TL;DR emails – that I then don’t send, once I’ve realized that I’m really writing them in order to collect my thoughts and , and there’s no reason to victimize my brother (etc) with eight pages of my disgorgements – no matter how clever or insightful they might be.
But I digress. I do hope you keep writing, and everything else, for quite some time to come.
Yes, you’re correct. i needed relief from the tyranny of writing to a schedule, even if self-imposed!
Writing itself is a pleasure and a relief!
I will only entertain thoughts of a victorious outcome, Ian. In the meantime, you and Meda will keep your place in my thoughts and prayers – sending you my aloha as always —
good plan!
Oh, Ian! I’m so sorry. I know this is frightening. I want the very best for you, including treatment followed by a great long healthy life. Much aloha to you in all the meanings of the word.
Aloha Ian,
Be positive, optimistic because it’s the only path. I was terrified many years ago and the fear remains 20 years later. But. I go forward. We all are with you. Believe me, everyone is with you. We never know; I still don’t know, but every single moment is precious. Your wife, your cats, your writing is purpose. It’s every second of every minute that matters. We are with you.
Aloha
Veronica
Ian We are pulling for a great outcome. We know many kupuna who have survived a cancer call using positive attitude and modern medicine. You have both. You bring delightful photos and stories of kitties and travel to us, helping us brush off some of the very negative news, reducing our stress!!!! You’re important to us…. so hang in there.
As with all the other people commenting, Ian, I wish you and Meda well. Many of us of a certain age have had to endure difficult and threatening illness and have pulled through. We can only pray that you do the same. Please keep us posted….and take care.
Best wishes for your speedy recovery, never give up, never give in. The Scott’s are a tough lot and capable of opposing extremes. New medications have halted progression of what used to be a quick death sentence, in stage 4 lung cancer several friends and family members have halted progression for many years. Hopefully, you will be able to hold the line on aggression and most importantly not allow fear to over come your mind. Maybe “the green, green grass of home” will help you see hope where there is dark and light the way.
Thanks for letting us know. We are thinking of you day and night sending those positive vibes of healing. Jim says at every meditation he envisions your health.
Wishing you all the best Ian, will keep you in my prayers.