Peanuts for the preacher

Ron and I saw the oncologist yesterday and it appears that the cancer has spread to Ron's lungs.  He will have surgery probably within the next two weeks.  We are going to meet with the surgeon next week.

We did get some of our questions answered yesterday but we will have more for the surgeon.  I was concerned about what comes after surgery.  The doctor said we would discuss medication options after the surgery.  I did some research and the options have horrific side effects, some even fatal.  
Ron and I only briefly discussed this option and decided to wait until we get through the surgery before we talk about it again.

Ron's biggest concern now is what to expect from the surgery.  He's worried about the pain.  His previous surgeries were really rather easy with very little pain.  This is much more involved. 

My concerns have to do with first getting him through the surgery.  I have a lot of concern about post-operative infection control rates and standards.  I work in a hospital and know just enough from attending infection control meetings to be scared silly.  Ron's doctor didn't help by telling me that that is a concern no matter what hospital you are in as it is now the reality of the world we live in.

My second big area of concern is Ron's quality of life.  I am so scared of the medical options (drugs) they use to treat Renal Cell that I almost don't want him to take them.  If he feels good and his lung mets are stable why put his body through that?  We aren't in our 30's or even 40's......we are at an age when quality of life may outweigh quantity.  I want him to enjoy the time he has left and not be ravaged by medical treatments that may or may not buy him time.   Time at what expense?  They also have the potential to shorten your life.

My feeling is that as long as surgery is an option we go after the cancer and remove it until it returns somewhere that makes surgery not an option.  Re-evaluate then and decide what comes next.

Now........to end this post with some much needed humor......
 
A preacher visits an elderly woman from his congregation. As he sits on the couch he notices a large bowl of peanuts on the coffee table. "Mind if I have a few?" he asks.
"No, not at all," the woman replys.
They chat for an hour and as the preacher stands to leave, he realizes that instead of eating just a few peanuts, he emptied most of the bowl. "I'm terribly sorry for eating all your peanuts. I really just meant to eat a few." the preacher says apologetically.
"Oh that's alright," the woman says. "Ever since I lost my teeth, all I can do is suck the chocolate off them."