I know, I know...just the thought of a tumor board sounds like a good time. Any takers?

My surgeon has spearheaded the effort to get St. Vincent's hospital national accreditation as a center for rectal cancer care. As part of that accreditation, a tumor board has been set up to review each new case of rectal cancer and give recommendations on the treatment plan. This is a multi-disciplinary board consisting of oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and colorectal surgeons who all specialize in rectal cancer. So, it's essentially a built-in second and third opinion. It's heartening to see God's provision in having me at the right hospital just when I needed it.

The tumor board meets twice a month, and this past Thursday, they discussed my case as part of their agenda and agreed that the lower anterior resection surgery with a temporary ostomy was my recommended treatment. This means that my November 5th surgery date is set.

My surgery will start at 7:30am and take about four to five hours. They will use a DaVinci robot to operate laparascopically with 5 small incisions to loosen my rectum, 1 1/2 feet of my colon and about 20 lymph nodes. All of that tissue will be removed through a larger incision and sent off to the lab where they will examine it for cancer cells that the MRI may have been unable to detect. If no cancer is found, I'll be able to skip chemo and radiation. Please pray with us to that end.

During the LAR, I'll also have my upper colon reconnected to my sphincter muscles to create a continuous digestive tract that I can eventually use once the surgery heals and if/when no chemo or radiation is needed. Because of the high risks of infection, the surgeon will take my small intestine (ileum) and route it to come through a stoma in my abdomen, creating an ileostomy. This will allow my body to discharge waste without passing through the area that needs to heal.

If my cancer remains at stage 1 after all the removed tissue has been examined, I should be able to have the ileostomy reversed a few months after surgery.

For now, we wait. And we pray. We seek to be faithful in our daily roles as husband/wife, parents, neighbors, friends, church members, and family members. I'm not in pain, though I can tell my digestive tract is struggling to do what it's supposed to be doing. But mostly, we're holding steady by God's grace and with your help.

We have been absolutely blown away by the outpouring of love and care from all of you! So many cards and packages are coming in the mail. Almost every day someone stops by the house to deliver a present, gift card, or treat--along with a hug and a listening ear. My text messages have been a constant stream of prayers, scripture verses, loving words, or people checking in. Thank you for all who have volunteered to help us with practical care. The financial gifts have overwhelmed us!  That means so much to us, and we know we are not alone. 

Please continue to pray for our kids as the surgery draws closer and things feel more real for them and for us. We are thankful for each one of you and every prayer that is said for us.