I love the quote by Mark Twain referenced above about the three types of lies. Usually it makes me chuckle. This time, however, I’m hanging my hopes on statistics and praying that they are not worse than damnable lies!
We met with the treating oncologist on Friday for a consult on Matt’s treatment. What he didn’t realize was that this was more of an “interview” on our part and not a commitment to him or his facility. We now know the full extent of the cancer in Matt’s body, the recommended course of treatment, and the expected outcome. Ironically, that list also indicates the level of bad news, from worst to best. Let’s start with the worst bad news, shall we?
We now know that cancerous lymph nodes have been found in his neck, under his left arm, in his abdomen…and in his chest cavity. Wow. All in all, the doctors only estimate about 15 “hot” lymph nodes, but the fact that they are so scattered about through his body is a bit unsettling. Which leads us to the bad bad news…
The recommended course of treatment is chemotherapy. Radiation is not recommended due to the high dosages required to eradicate the cancerous cells from his body. Before he begins chemo, however, he will have to undergo a bone marrow biopsy – one final step to be sure we know where all the cancer is hiding so we can kill it all. The chemo will begin sometime in early to mid-November and will run on 6 15-day cycles. What that means in plain English is he will receive chemo treatments on average every other week for 24 weeks, or about 6-8 months. Each treatment will take about 3 hours to complete. Which leads us to the best bad news…
The expected outcome? Pretty darn good. Like to the tune of 90-95% successful. 5 years, 10 years, 20 years…it’s all the same. Or better. And if the first round of chemo doesn’t get it, we can do it all over again and be pretty confident of getting it all the second time.
So let’s just pray that these statistics hold up. This is one time I’m definitely praying that Matt will conform to the majority. I kinda like the sounds of being stuck with him for another 20 years or so.
I would like to be around for another 20 or so years too.
I always attributed that quote to Mark Twain, not Clive Staples.
Ooooohhhh..thank you wiki…
“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is part of a phrase attributed to Benjamin Disraeli and popularized in the United States by Mark Twain: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” The statement refers to the persuasive power of numbers, the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments, and the tendency of people to disparage statistics that do not support their positions.”
Okay, Mr. Smartypants, I fixed it. Maybe I’m going to rethink that whole “glad I’m stuck with you” thing I said.