Thanks Vinnie for doing all sorts of stuff (for free), this logo is just the most recent example. Great friends are making this situation so much easier. Thanks for visiting yesterday 2nd Lt. Fichner, Peschin (I know I misspelled that, someone correct it), Bob, Joy, and thanks Bosco for coming home from Bark Chicago. Thanks to everyone else for visiting (2nd Lt. Medeiros, Keri) over the weekend as well.
1. Dr Pelzer feels confident that he removed all of the cancer from my head. The cancer was more pervasive than anyone expected, so surgery took 7 hours instead of 2-4 hours. I lost more tissue than was projected, but it is all in the name of precaution. He did pull off the minor miracle of saving my eye and my entire eyelid, which is pretty cool. I lost some of my optic nerve, but Dr. Pelzer doesnt think it will affect my vision.
2. I will have to have radiation therapy, although what kind and to what extent is not determined yet. I have an appointment in three weeks with Dr. Agulnik to determine this.
3. My eye is currently stitched shut, in order to reduce strain and swelling as it heals. I will have the stitches out on Wednesday when I see Dr. Few.
4. Dr. Few says my lack of swelling is due to my “superior healing powers”, and that I have a nicely shaped head. He is the most brilliant doctor ever.
5. All in all, things are looking okay. I am not excited about radiation therapy, but I am less excited about this cancer coming back.
6. Unfortunately, I have nothing to say at 2nd Lt. Medeiros’ expense. How tragic. I could mention that he was the most curious about the back half of that store we all went to after dinner the other night, but you had to be there…
More thanks to everyone for more support. I continue to get emails, phone calls, and especially comments here that let me know everyone is “on board”. THANKS!
1. Most importantly: My enhanced CT Scans came back this morning. There is no metastasis of my cancer. This means that the cancer is confined to the lacrimal gland and has not yet spread anywhere else. This is pretty huge, as far as good news goes.
2. I had a phone meeting with Dr. Pelzer (cancer surgeon) today. Due to vacation and scheduled surgeries, his next available surgery appointment is 8JAN. Dr. Pelzer is stepping up for the Team, however, and has decided to do the surgery this Thursday (28DEC).
3. He is coming in during his vacation so that we don’t have to wait any longer. I can’t even describe how much I appreciate him doing this. He has a profound appreciation of Marines and I am reaping the benefit. As of today, Dr. Pelzer is throwing his weight around to secure some operating room time as well as the services of Dr. Few.
4. Dr Julius Warren “War on Cancer” Few will be making the first incisions of the surgery to give me the best chance of keeping my left eye and as much of that part of my face as possible.
5. Dr. Few will also stay on during Dr. Pelzer’s removal of the tumor to perform the reconstruction of my eye, head, and face when Dr. Pelzer’s exorcism is complete.
6. True to Team Schrank’s warrior ethos, Dr. Augulnik will exploit the victory and pursue the enemy by fire, maneuver, and maybe some radiation therapy.
7. You guys continue to support me so I continue to thank YOU. I really appreciate all the good energy. It makes a big difference, and is directly reflected in my continued positive attitude. Except 2nd Lt. Medeiros, who quit on my workout this morning. It seems TBS has made him soft. SSgt Diduca and I will remedy this situation most riki-tik. In all sincerity, a big thanks to everyone.
1. I met with Dr. Pelzer today. He will be performing the surgery to remove the cancer from my head. The surgery will be performed as early as the first week of January. Dr. Pelzer is waiting on all the diagnostic information to be finalized before setting the date for surgery. So, if there is no other cancer anywhere else in my body, and if the current cancer has not metastasized, I will have the surgery in the first week of January.
2. Following the surgery, Dr Augulnik will determine its success and assess whether or not I need to have additional surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy to make sure we have completely whipped cancer’s ass.
3. Dr. Julius Warren Few has been brought on board by Dr. Pelzer to perform the plastic surgery mission of repairing my angelic face to its original stunning visage. Dr. Few and Dr. Pelzer will also make their best efforts jointly to retain my left eye. Here are two links to Dr. Pelzer and Dr. Few’s impressive bio’s:
Dr. Few (scroll down)
http://www.northwesternplasticsurgery.com/02.htm
Dr. Pelzer
http://www.oto-hns.northwestern.edu/Faculty/Pelzer.htm
4. Dr. Few’s recent addition to Team Schrank has created quite a buzz (and more than ample jealousy) amongst the plastic surgery department at Northwestern Memorial. When asked to comment, Dr. Few said “It’s definitely the greatest achievement of my illustrious career, and at the same time very intimidating. I feel like I have been asked to wallpaper the Sistine Chapel. I only hope I can do it justice.” Dr. J is about as hot as it gets in the plastic surgery game right now, coming off impressive victories in Justin Medeiros’ recent synthol calf implants and collagen lip implants.
Next update comes on Tuesday, have a Merry Christmas!
1. I met with the oncologist today, Dr. Augunlik. Not much new information there. I have an appointment for another CT scan of my chest and abdomen to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else in my body. If it is contained in the lacramal gland only, I will have surgery to remove it.
2. From there, Dr. Augulnik will assess how successful the surgery is and if I will need to undergo radiation treatment and/or chemotherapy.
3. I’ll be meeting with the surgeon who will take out the cancer tomorrow morning. His name is Dr. Pelzer. He is one of two otolaryngology surgeons (he is a chief ENT surgeon) at Northwestern, and he has been nominated for a bunch of awards and such. Bottom line: another blue chip Doctor for Team Schrank. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have access to this level of health care, courtesy of Northwestern Memorial.
Next update will be after my meeting with Dr. Pelzer tomorrow. I may also have the CT tomorrow if they can get me in. Go Team.
Current situation:
1. I have adeno-carcinoma (cancer) in my lacrimal gland (tear gland). This diagnosis is a result of extensive diagnostic imaging (CT scan, enhanced MRI, and ultrasound), and finally by a pathological examination of a biopsy performed by Dr Symanski.
2. This type of cancer is very common. It is the same type that composes breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer. However, having this cancer in the lacrimal gland is very unusual.
3. I will see my oncologist (cancer doctor) tomorrow. His name is Dr. Agulnik. He was recommended by the head of oncology at Northwestern Hospital. He is a specialist in head and neck cancers.
4. Dr Agulnik will confer with two ocular (eye) surgeons. Their names are Dr. Jerry Harris (Milwaukee) and Dr. Tsee (Florida). According to Dr. Syamanski, these two people have the most extensive experience with adeno-carcinoma in the lacrimal gland in the country.
We don’t know yet how extensive this cancer is. We will have more information tomorrow (12/21), after my first appointment with the oncologist.
What you can do:
1. Marines: I don’t want to talk about this. It kind of defeats the purpose of the email. You are only allowed to feel sorry for me if that makes you buy me drinks at the bar (especially GySgt Peterson).
2. All in all, I feel very fortunate to be in my current situation. I couldn’t ask for a better situation if this was going to happen. I am VERY confident in the level of care I am receiving. All four of the doctors involved are experts in their field, and I am at the best hospital I have ever been to. I am close to my family, and I have a good support system from my friends. If this had to happen, I couldn’t pick it any better. I’ll keep you guys updated via this channel as I get information.
