A Bit More Information

Someone pointed out that we haven't really said what's up with Peter here.  After some weeks of having some trouble swallowing certain foods, on Thursday, November 17 Peter had an endoscopy that revealed esophageal cancer.  We decided to keep our plans to go to NY for Thanksgiving.

Yesterday, November 29, we had the first follow-up to the diagnosis...the EUS already mentioned.  Tomorrow (Dec.1) he has a PET scan (or PET CT...we're not sure) that will tell us if the cancer has spread elsewhere (the close-up view of the EUS was mostly positive).  Following the 6:45 a.m. scan (!) we have three appointments with doctors...the surgeon (surgery usually follows other treatments), the radiation oncologist, and the medical oncologist.

Our first interaction with Duke Medicine was positive.  I  (Susan) used to be a "dorm mother" (Resident Advisor) in the School of Nursing dorm (Hanes House) within a stone's throw of the Duke Clinics.  It would be really convenient if they'd give me my old apartment back.  Peter liked it because it had a really big bathtub.

Thank you all for calls and check-ins.  This website will help us communicate.  Post funny things to keep Peter laughing...that's his best therapy.  Send messages in song lyrics. Suggest funny movies.  Things like that.

Right now we don't need food, and when we do it might be pretty specific...so one friend has already offered to organize a website for meals when the time comes.  My horsey friends are taking care of the barn. Could possibly use some manure muckers in the future.

We feel very fortunate to live near the medical center, and have our wonderful caring daughters close by, plus all of you, our extended family and good friends. People at my work are being super supportive, and the wonderful alumni and friends of the Johnson Intern Program (where I work) will be helping cover things for me there.

Right now Peter feels pretty good, and is continuing to bike and exercise most everyday.  I've been focusing on work so that I can take off from work.  I have a stack of books to read in the waiting room, and my Droid is already proving helpful for staying connected (the clinics have wireless).

Onward to tomorrow.  We love you.
--Susan and Peter

First day at Duke - EUS

Endoscopic ultrasound today (EUS).  We were very pleased with the care we got at Duke--no waiting!  Basically the docs didn't see anything beyond what was expected, so that seems encouraging. When Peter awoke from the anesthesia, he remarked to a nurse that he hadn't been that high on Duke's campus since 1973. Thursday is the very, very long day and we'll know more at the end.  The first nurse was an Andy Griffith Show fan, and even knew of an episode (a Barney-tries-to-rehabilitate-Otis scene) that we hadn't seen...so she gave us something to research.

Just getting started...

We're using this blog as a way to send everyone updates on Peter's health and probably about music and lyrics and a whole lot more.  When Peter writes the whole thing will probably BE in lyrics...so look out.

Peter goes in for an endoscopic ultrasound tomorrow afternoon, and then on Thursday for a PET scan and three doctor's appointments, all of which begin at 6:45 a.m. and end just before 5 p.m. 

We don't think we'll know a lot before Thursday late afternoon, and that will be a very long day.  So look for an update probably sometime Friday.  We'll send it out earlier if possible.  Thanks for your care and concern.