Treatment 8 of 12 (10/4/2012)
Posted: 10/04/2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 10 Comments
Today is treatment 8. We saw the doctor today as a follow-up for the PET and CT Scans done on 10/1. The scans show a small nodule (3mm) in the lower right lung. This nodule is too small to determine if it is cancer or not. It could be that the nodule is related to congestion / inflamation or it may be another solitary tumor. The tumor that was surgically removed on 6/1/2012 was also in the lower right lung. That nodule was 14mm when it was first detected and 18mm when it was removed.
The prognosis for this nodule is to watch it closely — I will receive another CT scan in six weeks. If that CT scan shows growth in the nodule the recommendation will be another lung resection surgery to remove the nodule and determine if it is cancer or not. If it is from congestion / inflamation it will likely not be present in another six weeks. If the nodule turns out to be cancer I will stop the FolFox chemo treatments and a new treatment plan will be developed.
Today’s treatment will include a reduced amount of oxaliplatin. I will likely have the side-affects similar to previous treatments; so I expect that Saturday and Sunday will involve a lot of sleeping.
I know you all are praying for me and I know that God has a plan for me. And I’m confident that God’s plan will prevail and it is exactly the best plan for me. The only frustrating part of this is I don’t know what God has planned, then again few of us actually do know. None of us can see what God sees and therefore I surrender my life to Jesus and trust that he will help me be the best servant I can be.
Today, instead of requesting your prayers for me, I request that you pray for my family, especially for Connie and my step children. Connie and I 
were married on 7/11/2009 and we were excited to begin a life together. Our plans are to see our children graduate from college and begin lives of their own and to spend quality time spoiling future grandchildren. Cancer was NOT part of this plan. It was especially not part of the short-term, five year plan!
Connie and her children already had to deal with cancer once in their lives. Connie’s first husband Bruce battled cancer for three years and succumbed to the cancer on October 7th, 2005. This was a very stressful time for Connie and her children and I ask you all to pray for them, on the anniversary of Bruce’s passing. No one should have to deal with this ugly disease; but having to face it twice is an unfair twist of fate. I really feel bad that Connie and her children are now part of my battle with cancer. I’m very happy they are here with me, but I am saddened that we all have to live with a cancer cloud looming over us.
So please pray with me that Connie and our newly blended family receive God’s love and feel God’s peace in our hearts and souls, in spite of the cancer challenges. Amen
Phil's Blog 
My prayers for Connie, the kids and you continue, Phil.
Phil, You are definitely in God’s Arms and His plans are perfect. I will certainly pray for Connie and her children as they go through this time with you. I’m sure this is a very difficult time for them. I pray that God will give them all a very special peace and strength at this time.
Good afternoon Phil. I am in the office working today and received a email from Terry cc’ing me on your “post of today”. There are times in your life when you find yourself reading something you thought would be interesting and when completed you take a few moments and the reading goes from interesting to inspirational. The strongest people, in all aspects of the word “strong”, I am blessed to meet are those who fight the fight you are taking on. What is most inspiring for me is your faith. The thoughts you shared about your family I think is a display of Colossians 3:17… And whatever you do, weather in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. I am confident the love you have for your complete family is one they too have for you. Thank you for being both a father and dad to Brice and for the unconditional love you have for all in your family.
David Swanson
Phil: Thanks for sharing your latest news. I’m blessed to read that you are focusing on the LORD. There is a song that says, “Many things about the future, I don’t seem to understand, but I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.” I’ll continue to pray for you, Connie, and the family.
Phil, read your blog today and was very moved by your words. I share many of your feelings and emotions as we both face the cancer battle. I am very thankful you came into Connie’s and my nieces and nephews lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Phil–Stay strong and keep the faith!
Cathy and I both thank-you for being a part of Connie’s life and especially for being a Dad to Alex,, Anna and Bryce. We never know what the plan is, that’s God’s twist on this thing called life. Miss you and love to the entire family….
I pray for you all every day and will continue to do so until you kick that cancer clouds ass! Positive attitudes are always a good start no matter how tough it may be…be strong, be united, and above all don’t give up! Love to you all!
Oh how bright the day break on the other side of a dark and storming night. You will see that day break and rejoice as never before; this I know for it is promised of God for all his children. God says; “I make know the ending from the beginning, from ancient days what is yet to come and I say; my purpose will stand, I will do all that I please” — Isaiah 46:10 One of my favorite scriptures and one related; “Be still and know that I Am God” — Psalm 46:10. I share these only because your faith shared in your blog reminds me of them and because God has written them on my heart. Maybe He will write them on your heart as well; He’s already written them in your faith — that is plain to see. God has a plan, the perfect plan, and no one get’s cheated or short changed, all are blest beyond anyone’s measure. I love seeing your example and always have my whole life. See you next weekend…
Baby Brother how I wish I could stand in your place and if I cannot, I will stand beside you always. Somehow I know that we will be OK. What a mysterious and magnificent journey we all take through life. You are an inspriation and a rock for all of us. No worries for your family because we all have the love and strength that radiates from you. Love and peace and perfect health are wished for you today and everyday. We understand so little of the grand plan and yet we know that it exists and is perfection. Love always, Mary
[…] remember a time in 2012 (link), with tears rolling down my face, I wrote about my wife Connie and our plans together. I wrote […]