On April 13, 2005, I got the call from my doctor.  Just a week earlier I had complained about a nagging pain on my right side just below my ribs.  A subsequent ultra-sound revealed some "strange" echo's and a liver biopsy was ordered.  The biopsy results were now in.  "It's cancer Louie, most likely of colon origin.  I have scheduled an appointment for you with an oncologist to discuss options, but chances are you don't have much time.  I am sorry."  "How much time?" I asked.  "Well,' he said, "if you have kids I would get them their Christmas presents now, because you probably won't be around by then to give the presents to them."
 
That's how I found out I had cancer.  Over the phone, alone.  No spouse, no significant other.  Children and family all lived in separate states, including a brother battling advanced cancer (who died   just 2 days later on April 15, 2005).  And to top it off, my job as a practicing veterinarian had just dried up.  I had no idea what to do about anything!!  I contacted all my family members with the news, and then made one of the most important calls of my life.  I called the American Cancer Society which promised to line me up to talk to someone. Within 24 hours I got a call from Suzanne in Texas.
 
I was so scared out of my mind that I have no idea how Suzanne kept me focused enough to remain on the phone, but she did.  I learned about her stuggle with this dreaded disease I now had:  the surgeies, chemotherapy and it's side-effects, and some strange thing called SIR-Spheres.  She advised me on what I could do about finances and insurance, all with a voice that exuded confidence. She not only sounded optimistic but she sounded as though she was enjoying her life even though her struggle was 7 years old after being diagnosed as I was, at Stage 4!  Suddenly, I finally felt something no doctor had given me a reason to feel.........hope!!

Suzanne also gave me the number of someone who lived close to me here in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  It was Gordon in Appleton who was (and remains) a tremendous source of information.  Through these two people I became an educated patient actively involved in the management of my disease and my life.  First was the surgery to remove the large tumor in my colon.  Even the surgeon was pessimistic.  "Five percent of Stage 4 people make it 1 year, Louie, only one percent make it five years."  "Well," I said, "I've talked to some people recently, and I am ready to become a one-per-center.  Let's go!!"
 
After a successful surgery that did not require a colonoscopy, I entered chemotherapy.  I knew exactly what to expect as far as the side-effects were concerned and how to manage them.  I had information about each and every drug being used that was current and correct, and even presented my oncologist with current articles on the treatment of colon cancer that he was not aware of.  And when my chemo didn't seem to be working to well, I inquired about those mysterious (to me anyway) SIR-Spheres.  When my oncologist said "forget it, you'll never be qualified as a candidate for that Gordon and Suzanne coaxed me forward and instead of giving up I insisted on going to Madison.  "I want the specialists there to tell me that," I said.  And lo and behold the specialists in Madison said I was a "perfect" candidate.  I received my first treatment a month ago and am axiously awaiting a second.  And I feel as healthy as any other 51 year old man in Wisconsin!!  At 19 months after the diagnosis, I have already beaten the odds my doctors said were insurmountable.
 
When I first got the news about my cancer I was scared, angry and alone.  But thanks to my wonderful 2 "cancer friends" I am now educated, optimistic and, most importantly, hopeful.

One of my favorite movies of all time is The Shawshank Redemption. A line from that movie means a lot to me now.  It goes: Either get busy living, or get busy dieing!!

Thanks to the optimism, hope, education and options explained to me by my "friends," I am getting busy living.  I even plan to enroll in Graduate School this Spring!!  And anything is possible!! 

Dave
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
October 2006     

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