A. Craniotomy: The surgeons can’t reach the cancer from the front door, so they go in through the roof. They would remove a section of my skull and remove the cancer. They would not be operating on my brain, but would be in front of it. Recovery from this operation would be measured in months (4-6?).
B. Gamma knife: The coolest sounding option. A massive dose of radiation is targeted on a very small area (the cancer) and nukes it out of my head.
C. Radiation therapy: If the doctors and I think the cancer is small enough, we may just go ahead with radiation therapy to destroy it. Radiation therapy is designed to eradicate any trace amounts of cancer left, so it will work if the cancer tissue is small enough.
2. Options 1 and 2 will be followed with radiation therapy. All options will utilize Intensive Modulated Radiation Therapy, which is a new type of therapy. IMRT is a recent development, and Dr. Mittal is published expert on IMRT.
3. This is a setback in the war on cancer. Our focus now is on the long term. Options A-C are listed in order of invasiveness v. containment. I could walk away from the hospital right now and claim to be cancer free (foolish), since the imaging probably won’t be able to detect anything. These therapies all present an opportunity to reduce the chance of cancer (in a significant way) returning, and each has a physical cost and risk associated with it. The goal is to keep me healthy long term in exchange for short term misery. We are basically starting the process over with a much smaller tumor.
4. FAQ: No you can’t borrow my eyepatch. Very few people can pull off the pirate thing. You are not one of those people.
I will uphold the pirate tradition of terrorizing the Navy, and giving young midshipmen nightmares.
5. The ROTC command has stepped up for the Team. Captain Komnick informed me today that he has requested a one year MECEP extension on my behalf. After approval, that will allow me an extra year to finish school or medically recover enroute to my commission. We can’t express strongly enough how much this means. I am still charging hard to graduate and commission on time, but it is a great relief to know that should my treatment not go as we would hope, we don’t need to struggle with professional obligations during that troubled time. Myself and my entire extended family send heartfelt gratitude to the Commanding Officer, the Executive Officer, and the Marine Officer Instructor for their support.
6. I would thank GySgt Wiss as well, but he’s a Seahawks fan and we just don’t do that.
7. It has come to my attention that Dr. Symanski is very upset that she did not receive a creative yet aggressive nickname. Since she is the lovely opthalmologist who initially discovered my extremely rare cancer (its quite possible she saved my life), I would like to put this task out to all members of Team Schrank. Whoever comes up with the best nickname for Dr. Stacy C. Symanski will get a free official Team Schrank T-shirt, and will have front of buffet line privileges right behind the Petersens (PeterSENS, PeterSENS…). Post your ideas in the comments section of this post.
8. Next update will be after the Diagnostic scans, probably end of next week.
Eddy,
Ok, I'll be first – you have a tremendous support team – arg! I have confidence you will emerge victorious in the battle, matey!
Now, we already have a Trixie so we need something new. hmmm, maybe the Symanizer!
See you this weekend sometime – Bob
Comment by Anonymous — January 13, 2007 @ 00:08
She has to be Trixie because all Stacie's are Trixie – it's in the rules. My way too long suggestion.
Trixie Commendable Occulo-Mass Eradicator. I will have breakfast with Aunt Diane tomorrow (the pun queen) and we'll come up with something superb !!!!!! Mom
Comment by Anonymous — January 13, 2007 @ 00:31
How about
Doctor SCS
Double S
StaSy
SymanATOR
for the manatee lovers…Symanatee?
-VInce
P.S. did you get the updated logo I sent?
Comment by Anonymous — January 13, 2007 @ 13:44
ya I got the logo. Thanks buddy! Its going on the back of the shirts….
Comment by eddy — January 13, 2007 @ 13:51
Dr. S can have Trixie, if she wants it.
Eddy, what is your address?
Comment by Stacy — January 14, 2007 @ 01:09
You dont have to give up trixie, but its mighty gracious of you to offer. My address:
811 W. 15th Place #610
Chicago IL 60608
Are you going to send us your surplus aluminum foil?
Comment by eddy — January 14, 2007 @ 05:49
Eddy,
Since my mom will soon be retiring from her job, it looks like the Columbus Schranks will have to be buying their own foil soon. So, unfortunately, there is not enough to share. You know it has been 13 years since I have had to buy foil! If an unforseen surge in the foil supply occurs, I'll send some your way.
Was thining….Dr. EYEmanski?
I'm off to the post office. Go Bears!
S
Comment by Stacy — January 14, 2007 @ 18:05
Avast, accorrrrrdin' to the pirrrate name generrrator her name be Cap'n Yvette Greenbeard an' me thinks t'would be good to add the scourge of all foreign eye type bodies. Yarrrrgh Bears win.
Comment by chris — January 14, 2007 @ 21:35
Chris really is a wiz at the pirate speak! Probably because our wedding anniversary is on National Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Comment by Stacy — January 14, 2007 @ 22:48
National Talk like a Pirate Day is now called International Talk like a Pirate Day. And now, I know the exact day of your anniversary.
Bob (I picked Seattle to win the Super Bowl to be different from all the other people I work with – even the old lady at the bar said it was a bad idea) Schrank
Comment by Anonymous — January 15, 2007 @ 16:34
Eddy, I admire your determination, keep on forging ahead…About the eye patch loan, I am offering a bribe…We have a herd (flock sounds too wimpy) of about 40 wild turkeys that routinely stampede around my yard – if we can borrow the eyepatch when you come visit, bring a weapon of your choice & You can bag a bird….something for Bob to roast on the grill, perhaps??? Jill
Comment by Anonymous — January 17, 2007 @ 22:46
Ohhh . . . I almost forgot!
You make pirate look GOOD!
Comment by Beth — January 21, 2007 @ 05:11
Hey Ed
Thanks for pointing me to your blog and sharing your story. We really need to do better about keeping in touch.
That said – Karen and I will see you real soon, March still looking good
God Bless
Josh
Comment by Josh — January 21, 2007 @ 22:42