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05/23/2007: "Possible Spinal Surgery"

Today I met with a Dr. Rembert, a Radio Oncologist with the Alta Bates Group. He was consulting me on whether I would be a candidate for another round of radiation to my vertebrate in my neck. After reviewing my current films, he feels that it may be a little too risky to the spinal column since it had only been 10 months since my last round of radiation.

He was concerned with the structural integrity of the bone and felt I needed to consult with a Neurosurgeon as soon as possible. The illustration tries to show the area of the bone that is invaded by the tumor and how it has softened the area. There appears to be bone shards pressing into the spinal column region that could put me in danger of paralysis.

So I have an appointment on Friday to get a quick consult and possibly move forward with spinal surgery to strengthen the area. There are several options on how that might be done and I will know more after Friday. Tonight I received a call from my Oncologist who feels I should postpone this last trip to Germany because an accident could put me in need of emergency surgery in a foreign country.

Replies: 1 Comment

on Friday, May 25th, Kam Jones said

Hi Doug,
You are my true hero! Well do some meditation whenever you can.
Let me tell you a ture story. "A man who live in England when he found out he had Cancer, he quit his job, and sold his house for his Dr. had told him that he only had one year to live. During that year he did everything he wanted to do in his life. He had no stress, and no worries. One year later he went back to see the Dr. and the Dr. was surprised to learned that he was Cancer free. Now, the man is suing the Dr. because he has no job and no house".

I think of you and your family often. Take care,
Kam