Staging... what is staging?

Its Matt again, Ashley is asleep and I can't field all the phone calls and have to try and explain this over and over again.

We had an ultrasound this morning to get a better picture of what the tumor is doing. I found out that traditional "staging" is based on several factors. Each factor gets a rating based on observation and biopsy results.

1. Tumor
          The tumor can be rated anything from the lowest T1 to the worst T4
2. Lymph node
          These cannot be staged or biopsied until they are removed through surgery
3. Metastasis
         This is where the cancer cells from its place of origin have relocated in other vital organs infecting them.


So here is what we know.
The tumor has not metastasized. It is not showing up anywhere in her lungs, liver or other vital organs. This is really good news.  We don't know about the lymph nodes until surgery is performed and biopsied.

The ultrasound showed the tumor is a T4. Which means it has been growing for years. It has grown completely through the intestinal wall and according to the specialist, has possibly affected some lymph nodes that are in the immediate area.

This is not the news we were hoping for. It means Chemo and radiation pre-op and once the operation is complete, another round of Chemo post-op. Once the surgery is complete they will check the immediate area and remove several lymph nodes for biopsy.

So what stage cancer does she have? We won't really know until surgery is complete. If you go to cancer.org or any other reputable site you will see that most of the time in colo-rectal cancer, if the tumor has penetrated completely through the intestinal wall and into the lymph nodes, but not metastasized, it is usually stage 3.

Could be it be an advanced stage 2, early 3? Possibly. Again we won't have a complete picture until surgery is complete and biopsies return. What we do know is she has to start treatment as soon as possible. With most cancer, they will remove it first and stage the patient quickly. We don't get that luxury thanks to the precarious location and possible loss of bowel function. We get to wait..... and wait....

They referred us to Banner MD Anderson cancer treatment center at our request and most likely after 5-6 weeks of treatment they will perform the surgery. It is going to be a rough summer. . . . . .

I hoped to explain this as best as I have come to understand it. Today was a set back, we  didn't get knocked down, just set back.

Ashley has been living on the thoughts and prayers of her friends and family. She might get mad at me for saying this, but..... Please don't treat her differently. She is still the happy, beautiful, energetic woman who has touched all of our lives. She is happy by nature and is at her best just living life. She needs us to all help her maintain a sense of normality in her life. Going out to eat, getting together with friends, being around her young women and enjoying time with her kids. She needs us to be strong for her, to be positive, and supportive. You are all doing this. Please continue to be strong for us because she feeds on our strength, as do I.

If anything, call me and I will explain in greater detail. Or I will tell you how you can help or what she needs. I can carry that burden for her... It's the least I can do. If you don't have my number, friend me on Facebook and we can communicate that way.