After I saw the specialist last week, he was to have a meeting with four of his colleagues, all cancer experts. It was, in his own words, a chance for me to get a second, third, fourth and fifth opinion all for free. Well, the meeting took place, and I saw the specialist again yesterday to find out the consensus of opinion.
They all had a close look at my test results, and have now discovered that the tumour has grown around the tube from one of my kidneys to the bladder (I forget the medical name for it), and that has caused the kidney to shut down. They also all agreed I need to start treatment a.s.a.p., but that I'm nowhere near well enough to do so yet (I have had a bad week this week, a lot of pain, very tired), so it's a bit of a catch 22 situation.
Unfortunately the general agreement was that "successful treatment is not a high probability" with things looking as they do at this time. I wish I could be reporting good news, but that seems to be in short supply at the moment.

For my Friend Outrider.
 

Start the treatment: it's the real chance! Come on!

Hey Craig. isn't there a rejuvination pond in Australia? Like, when Nicole Kidman did that flick down there with Clive Owen (or was it Hugh Jackman?) and there was this pond/waterfall place and stories in the tabloids said there was something in the water to help get the women pregnant. NOT that you need to get pregnant, but there was just this funky story about this place have healing effects. Maybe you should go visit that place and take a dip! Who knows, maybe the cancer will sweat it's way out or something?

That's right, if there's a treatment there's a real chance!

A few weeks ago I lost a cousin because of a cancer, the doctors said that the treatment wasn't enough to make a difference in his case, which is not your case now so keep fighting, don't give up!

You're in my prayers!

Gatilho

Come on! Fight! WE WILL ROCK IT!

You'll say "veni, vidi, vici"!

Aw man! Here I just showed up outta no where and hear this! :( I'm really sorry to hear all this OR, please know you're in my prayers. I too support you, and yes, you can beat this! Do it to it, man!!! :)

just wanted to post my support...long time member, in the air force so I've never had a chance to post pics of my figs (they're always packed up), but your pics have always rekindled my love of joe. I say go for the treatment. My 32 yr old wife was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in September. It had agressively spread to her liver. She was given an 8% chance of surviving her treatments. So far she has 6 rounds of chemo and 3 major surgeries behind her. I can do nothing but admire her strength and courage. I cannot even imagine what ya'll are facing. But my squadron, along with our neighbors and church have lifted us up with actions, thoughts and prayers, and the good Lord has blessed. You will be in our prayers.

Paul Farlow, Capt, USAF
T-6 Instructor Pilot

Outrider: Work to get in better health no matter how tiresome it is and take the treatment no matter how small the chance is. Even if its only 1 percent chance it still means that one out of a hundred survives, it can just as well be you.
And I wish you the best also Captain Farlow.

Keep the faith Craig, you can beat this thing. You are in our prayers.