I know some on the board who have seen me post know that I have been laid off for 3 years now and lost my mother last year on May 31. The hits keep coming.

On Saturday May 21, I became sick and vomited up all 3 of my meals that day. For the next week, I suffered every day with stomach bloating, stomach cramping and stomach gurgling.
I was unable to eat. I was unable to go to the bathroom. On Sunday May 29, I knew I had to go to the Emergency Room even though I did not have health insurance. It was too
unaffordable for me ( would have cost me $12000 in premiums and deductible before insurance paid for anything). Xrays and a CT scan showed an obstruction in my small bowel.
Surgery was going to be required. The good news from ER was that the social workers were able to get me emergency approval for Medi-Cal. For those not in California, that is Medicaid here.
Only a little better. So my bills have been covered so far. My blood sugar had been high and had to come down before surgery. On Wednesday June 1, surgery was performed to remove the mass
blocking my bowels. The surgeons believed the mass to be cancerous. The cancer had also spread to my lymph nodes and my stomach as evidenced by nodules. Biopsies were done on several nodules
to verify they were cancerous too. I remained in the hospital until June 8. Before I left, the assistant surgeon (who is the chief surgeon at the hospital) informed me that I had Stage 4
Colon Cancer. How bizarre since it does not run in the family. The funny part is that I was planning to move to Virginia at the end of May. Now that I have cancer, need treatment and
have insurance, I have to stay here. I guess God doesn’t want me to leave California for some reason. If I left now, there would be no insurance, no treatment, and I could be out looking
for a little plot of land for eternal rest.

On June 21, I saw my oncologist. I asked him point blank exactly what type of cancer I had. I had been told there are several types of colon cancer. The real shock was that my cancer
started in my appendix. So I actually have Appendix Cancer. It is extremely rare. It also has a very, very low cure rate. It is ironic that I was worried about my appendix rupturing after
I was laid off and had no insurance. I guess I was right. But instead of the “normal” rupture, mine ruptured with cancer cells. I shake my head thinking about it. Anyway, I told
Dr. Zhao and Dr. Cunningham that I will beat this. They bring the chemo, I’ll bring the Courage and desire to live, and God will bring the miracle. Between the 3 of us, we will increase
that low cure rate a bit. Dr. Zhao did tell me that when we get it in remission, odds are it will come back and we will have to do the chemo again. On June 22, I saw my head surgeon.
Dr. Chen told me she had to remove half of my large colon, 15 cm of my small colon and my appendix. Needless to say, my abdomen looks like Frankenstein operated on me. Hopefully the
scar will fade with time. Dr. Chen did a marvelous job. She did give me one piece of VERY good news. She told me that colon cancer spreads first to the liver. She inspected my
liver carefully. She told me my liver was cancer free. The other good news is that the hospital Valley Medical Center of San Jose is run by Stanford. They use it as their teaching hospital.
I know I am in good hands.

I had my first chemo last Wednesday the 13th. So far, no side effects.

Keep me in your prayers. They are appreciated it.

Bob

PS - Sorry saret and 48zip. Hate to postpone our beer summit once again.