Well folks, it gets even better. I went and met with my oncologist yesterday and he basically said the surgeon was WRONG, at least about the anal cancer (not about the need for the colostomy.) He sat there and shook his head, (much as he did when he looked at how well I was tolerating chemo and radiation,) and said "No, no, no, Dr K is wrong. I am looking at the test report right here on the screen" and he read it out loud to me. So I'll be having yet another test, this time an intra anal ultra-sound to look at the lymph node behind the anus. Only one doctor here can even do the procedure and of course I have to get persmission from my medical group before I can see him. As far as the liver goes, the oncologist said the lesions do appear to be gone, and only cysts are showing. When I asked how that was possible his answer was "Well we have to ASSUME that the chemo and radiation got rid of the cancer." Well since the cancer was only ASSUMED in the first place, I guess you can use an ASSUMED cure to explain its disappearance! So, the waters have become even more muddy in my estimation and I am now going to ask for a second surgical opinion AND a second oncological opinion. I also am going to push for additional tests, like a PET scan and MRI. They have been making WAY too many assumptions based on limited rather then factual, confirmed information as far as I'm concerned. For one thing, there was no biopsy of any liver tissue whatsoever - the diagnsosis was based on the ct scan and the ASSUMPTION that since most colon cancer spreads to the liver then mine had. It is a very scary thing, navigating the treacherous waters of the healthcare and insurance industries and I intend to take my time and not be pressured into any life altering decisions without all the facts. What little confidence I had in the medical profession is fast waining. I have about two weeks to make a decision about the surgery. Why two weeks you might ask. Because the oncologist said so. As for me, if I'm not convinced in two weeks, he's going to have to wait. Hell, I might just take 15 days! Will the extra day kill me? I have no idea, and NEITHER DOES HE! It's not like they are offering me any guarantees after all. Maybe I'm in denial, and expecting a miracle. But then...what DID happen to those lesions on my liver...?

Which brings me to YOU. Please make it a point to become knowledgeable about cancer. Knowledge is your best defense, against the disease and against making the wrong decisions, or allowing the doctors to make the decisions for you. After all, if there were a vaccine that would prevent you from getting cancer, you would take it, wouldn't you? Well there is none, nor is there a cure, but there is a plethora of information available for free. There are many alternative treatments out there as well. Unfortunately for most of us, your health insurance will not pay for any of them, so having money helps. Without it you are left at the mercy of the AMA accepted protocol - poison, burn and slash, aka chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Maybe on my tombstone, YEARS FROM NOW, I'll have them inscribe "Mistakes were made." I've always been a fan of "gallows humor."

Thanks to all for keeping in touch and for all the good thoughts and prayers. I know that is helping me, as is the feedback and response to my blogs. Much love and blessings.