Oncologist Appointment (4/6/2026)
Tami and I met with the Oncologist today. He confirmed what we knew, and shared a few additional details. The bottom line is Tami has Stage 4 colon cancer, and the spread is too extensive for anything other than chemo. As the doctor said, "You can't radiate the whole body." He shared median survival rates with and without treatment, but emphasized that each patient is different. So, I will avoid putting an expiration date on my wife, and instead say we will fight, until there is no fight left.
Backstory
In October of 2025, Tami began feeling uncomfortable sitting for a long time. She complained of tailbone, and general (severe) mid-section pain. By December and January, it had become so uncomfortable that we went to urgent care, and they identified hemmorhoids and provided PT exercises for Tami to work on. With no resolution, and increased pain, the doctor advised a colonoscopy.
Back to Back Colonoscopies
On March 11, Tami went in for a colonoscopy. The doctor was unable to perform the procedure, due to a mass (tumor) that was obstructing the colon. He took a biopsy, but was very clear that, from what he saw, it was cancer. He also indicated that he wanted to perform a second colonoscopy, with additional prep and a pediatric (smaller) scope. So, in one day, Tami learned she had likely had cancer, and had to prep a second day in a row for a colonoscopy. Not a double whammy to be wished on anybody. The March 12, colonoscopy was no better, so the plan was to wait for the results of the biopsy, get a CT Scan and an MRI.
No lights or sirens... (March 22)
On March 22, after significant bleeding and pain that could no longer be tolerated, Tami finally agreed to let me take her to ER. While getting ready for the ride, it was clear that she was not stable enough for me to get her there safely, so I called an ambulance. In usual Tami style, she didn't want a fuss, so while I was on the phone with 911, she kept saying, "tell them no lights or sirens..." The paramedics were unable to stabilize her to the point where they could bring her to Kaiser (17 miles away), so brought her to the closest hospital to our house, Scripps, Chula Vista.
Hospital Stay and Emergency Surgery
In order to understand the issue at hand, the Gastroenterologist charged with stabilizing Tami ordered (you guessed it) another colonoscopy... So, on Tuesday March 24, with an abbreviated prep, a 3rd (unsuccessful) colonoscopy in 2 weeks, was performed. They also performed an additional CT Scan, which confirmed the results of the original Kaiser CT Scan, but also noted nodules in the Omentum (the lining that protects your somach and other abdominal parts). In the end, they stabilized her by getting the pain under control, and giving her a couple of blood transfusions. This allowed her to be transferred to Kaiser on March 25th.
Since Tami is a Kaiser patient, nothing could really "happen" until Tami was under their care. On Thursday, March 26th, Kaiser did a biopsy of the Lymph nodes, and an MRI. On Friday, March 27, Tami seemed to be stable enough to go home, and was dressed and ready to go awaiting discharge.
But... After reviewing the MRI, the surgeon felt it was necessary to perform emergency surgery to remove the tumor on Saturday, March 28. So, back into the gown, and another day in the hospital. (She was discharged for home March 31st)
The surgeon had indicated that he didn't know what really would happen until they got in there, and saw what they were up against. Tami had wiggled during the MRI, so the images were not 100% clear, but he knew he was up against a significant mass, that was blocking key functions, and had spread to the uterus. Unfortunately, the tumor was, in the surgeons words, "involved with too many critical structures to safely remove." So, they closed up without removing the tumor.
So... Here we are.... The fight is on!
