I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. I've found that this kind of diagnosis makes one feel pretty isolated at times.
I thought I'd update you on what's happening. I've got a rare form of cancer call neuroendrine tumors. They usually start in the lower intestine, stomach or pancreas. I just finish another bunch of tests this morning trying to find the primary site, but they didn't find it in the stomach or large intestine (yeah, I had the "scope" from both ends. Fortunately I was gorped out so didn't have to watch). Nothing at all was found out of the ordinary. Friday, I'm having an MRI to check out the small intestine and pancreas.
I met with my oncologist yesterday, and he said that this type of cancer is very slow growing and very non-aggressive. Any treatment at this time would make me worse than the effects of the cancer itself, we he's having me wait on anything else until early next year when we'll rescan the liver sites and see if there's been any change. He suspects there won't be, and can go a long time like this. He says I've had this for years and didn't know it. If it weren't for the spots on the liver, there is absolutely NO other sign of a problem. All blood tests and other scans indicate absolutely nothing. Very strange, and very coincidental it was found at all.
So, while I'd like to just get this out of me so I can move on, the news is pretty good. Also, I've been able to lose 30-35 pounds through all of this, and will have to drop to high-school football days weight in the long haul. Physically I actually feel the best I've felt in a long time!
Which means I'll get to spike up my bike and get some riding in soon!!!
Again, I really appreciate the support you guys have given.
Mark Weissenborn and Family