Finally a peaceful decision....

   Today we finally heard from the "tumor board" at UVA.  As I have written before, Johns Hopkins also presented my case in their tumor board meeting over 2 months ago and gave me their viewpoint on having a "trial distal pancreatectomy surgery" which would involve first radiation and then the "trial surgery" which would include taking out the spleen, the tail of the pancreas along with the tumor, and any spots on the liver if there were under 3 found.  They also said that they are the only hospital that would do this kind of "trial surgery".  
    Anyway,  Ruthie and I were on the conference call today with Dr.  Oberholzer from UVA and she took great notes over the phone....something I cannot do well.   
   We were told the  tumor board  discussed my case yesterday.  Dr. Adams, head of the cancer department, along with the board of other surgeons came to the conclusion that I was doing very well with my  current treatment.  (They actually said very few patients they have treated have done so well)   I have been told that right along by my oncologist and other oncology professionals and that is always reassuring to me:)   
    Since I have responded so well and they feel that if I were to have surgery, there would be little assurance that the surgery would even help.   The surgery is risky and may accelerate the cancer tumor to grow.   So, the board all agreed and recommended that I do not have surgery.   
    Dr. Oberholzer said no one knows the entire truth of what will happen, but their viewpoint is that I need to enjoy the time I  have and the good quality of life as long as the chemo is controlling the cancer.
    I do have a peace about this whole outcome since I am having very good quality of life at the moment.  Even though I have to endure 4-5 days of discomfort, 2 weeks of normal good quality of life are the gift I have right now.  How long that will go on is in God's hands and has been all along.
    Psalm 118:24  "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."