Longtime green screeners know my older brother John’s story well.
Diagnosed with colon cancer in March of 2003, he has had more than his share of medical troubles.
Fiercely independent, he made the decision to not seek regular medical care after his initial round of chemotherapy and accompanying colostomy. Frankly, many of us expected a rapid demise.
Three and a half years down the road, John’s back in the hospital today in Harlingen. He lost 80% of his blood volume through internal bleeding and defied death with a hemoglobin level of just 3 (normal is around 14). So far he has taken on 5 units of blood, but his hemoglobin is not responding as expected. Unless we can correct the source of his blood loss, we may lose him. He’s undergoing a battery of upper and lower GI examinations as well as a CAT scan if they can get him stabilized. Hopefully there is some good news nestled in the pending reports but we are not optimistic. No one will write him off while there is still data pending but Mark told me today that he’s afraid that the strength that has kept him alive will extend his suffering. Let’s hope not.
We love you John.
Dignity intact, thanks to the extended family for allowing us to share.
Diagnosed with colon cancer in March of 2003, he has had more than his share of medical troubles.
Fiercely independent, he made the decision to not seek regular medical care after his initial round of chemotherapy and accompanying colostomy. Frankly, many of us expected a rapid demise.
Three and a half years down the road, John’s back in the hospital today in Harlingen. He lost 80% of his blood volume through internal bleeding and defied death with a hemoglobin level of just 3 (normal is around 14). So far he has taken on 5 units of blood, but his hemoglobin is not responding as expected. Unless we can correct the source of his blood loss, we may lose him. He’s undergoing a battery of upper and lower GI examinations as well as a CAT scan if they can get him stabilized. Hopefully there is some good news nestled in the pending reports but we are not optimistic. No one will write him off while there is still data pending but Mark told me today that he’s afraid that the strength that has kept him alive will extend his suffering. Let’s hope not.
We love you John.
Dignity intact, thanks to the extended family for allowing us to share.
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