The time has come

So, update time. Saw Pegna and Pommier on June 2nd and we pretty much agreed that surgery makes the most sense right now.

For starters, it's an option. The longer I wait the less likely it stays an option.

Second, it will get rid of my primary tumor in my Pancreas (for the PNET) and my spleen. There is a good chance that a number of months after surgery I will start targeted radiation to help with the liver tumors.

Tomorrow, June 20, we are off to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN for a 2nd opinion from one of the leading NETs experts, Dr. Thor Halfdanarsson. There is a good chance that he validates the decision and if he doesn't, he and my primary care team will discuss.

In addition, I will be seeing a urologist at Mayo for a 2nd opinion on my kidney too. If I get 2 2nd opinions, does that equal 4 total opinions? Yes, I still have a strange sense of humor.

Assuming everything is validated, surgery will be happening on July 16th, it's scheduled (I can always cancel). They will take out the primary in the tail of my pancreas (the operation is called a distal pancreatectomy) and my spleen. My liver is not the focus, but if it's easy, they might take some of those tumors out as well.

The expectation is that I will be in the hospital for 6-7 days, and take a few months to recover. I will be taking a 2-month leave from work.

My crack support team will be here to make sure I am taken care of. I can never thank them enough for all that they do for me. Krista, Eddie and Romy, Teri (our close friend) and Lisa (my sister) will all be here for me to make pancreas jokes with!

In any case, that's my update. Feel free to ask any questions!