2021.12.04 update: Details...to date

 Details...to date (12/4)

Symptoms have stabilized and most pain controlled so doctor wants to find source of cancer to better target with treatment.  If unable to determine source cancer then treatment will be done with certain formula of chemo.

Tests to date:

• Multiple MRIs (lower back/pelvic/neck)
• Bone Scan
• CT/CAT Scan
• Many blood tests (all bloods tests come back as normal results)
• Biopsy of pelvic bone (several 18 gauge samples removed on Black Friday)

Findings determined on 12/2:

• Lesion in pelvic bone: found to be metastatic cancer and to be treated with radiation at appropriate time
• Swollen lymph node in right armpit: found to be metastatic cancer and treatment to be determined
• Cancer cells found in bone from biopsy were found to be dying off so could not determine source but still determined to be cancer.
• Source cancer: UNKNOWN
• Summary: Since metastasized in more than 1 area of body, advanced cancer-likely Stage 4.  Port for chemo and any other IV or blood samples will be installed in a few weeks.  Chemo could start earlier but with ordinary injection into arm.

The next week or so:

• PET scan
• Urologist (to rule out bladder cancer as source)
• Follow up with Oncology doc: 
• PET scan results are hopefully going to determine source cancer.  
• If not, may have experimental blood test done to determine source cancer or go with "unknown cancer" treatment plan.
• New job with UnitedHealth Group as Manager of Software Engineering to begin 12/13!  Super excited.