After waiting nearly 2 weeks for the pathology results following DH's resection, we have learned today that he is Stage 1, with no lymph node involvement (out of 22 nodes)!! I can barely take it in!

It will be just shy of a month before he can get in to see an oncologist, who will do a CEA assay, whcih hasn't been done yet.

Things are looking really good, though, aren't they???

Whooo...Hooo!

Celebrate those results! I would say things are looking very good!

Carol B

Very, very good! What a relief for you both!

Love and prayers,

That is great news! Celebrate!

Jeni here, doing the Happy Chicken Dance for you !!!

( all of you, be grateful you do not have to see this in person ...)

Maybe it's a matter of perspective, but...

I thought DH would be at least a Stage 2, because his bowel was almost completely obstructed, so when we got the results, I said, "That's great news!". The surgeon said, "Well, it's not GREAT news; great news would be no cancer." I figured we knew there was cancer, so to us, it was great news.

Didn't think too much about it until our PCP called last night, after he got a copy of the results. Again, when we spoke of the Stage 1 designation, I said "I think that's great news!" The PCP said, "Maybe not GREAT news... you'll be following up with an oncologist, right?" The we went on the discuss the specifics of the referral and the possibility of chemo to go after rogue cells, which has been mentioned by several doctors (gastroenterologist, surgeon, now PCP).

Now I'm a little freaked out. Do you think their responses are just a matter of, from their perspective, great news would be zero cancer - or is there something looming ahead of us that I am not comprehending?!

Mostly I think they are afraid since it was stage 1 and that you are saying "great news" , that you and DH will figure he is cured and elect not to follow up. Obviously you still take it seriously but the Dr.'s must encounter people who , wanting to put this away, refuse follow up chemo only to be back later with a liver or lung growth. Odds are that the surgery did in fact cure the cancer and that nothing got away from the primary tumour BUT since that is a distinct though small possibility, chemo is a prudent insurance measure.

congradulations! Wish you come back to the normal life quickly.

Mostly I think they are afraid since it was stage 1 and that you are saying "great news" , that you and DH will figure he is cured and elect not to follow up.

Good point - I hadn't considered that...

Anyway, WE'RE CELEBRATING! DH is driving again and we're going out for lunch tomorrow, just like "normal people" ;)