Ray’s Blog

Here is where I will gather together all of the broadcast emails I have sent out updating everyone about my progress. If you are not already receiving these emails and would like to, submit your email using the form at the bottom of this post.

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Subject: my whereabouts for the next two weeks (starting Monday)

Date: 07/30/2008 10:53 AM

FYI to all,

Starting this coming Monday, I will be out of the office for approximately the next two weeks to take care of a little friend I’ve gotten to know over the last few months that it’s time for me to say goodbye to. My friend’s name is Colon Tumor and will be unceremoniously removed on Monday (no condolences please). I am in good spirits and should let you know that as of now all indications are that it is benign. Even if it is not, prognosis is still excellent.

I will be back to work as soon as I can but have to play it by ear so I’ll keep you posted. I’m working on what I can before the end of the week and Lance will be looking to have someone cover for me while I’m gone so please plan accordingly.

My recovery will be much more enjoyable since I just ordered the 13-DVD box set of Dr. Katz which I have been waiting to see for almost 10 years.

Anyway, that’s it for now.

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Subject: Ray’s Progress

Date: 08/06/2008 8:44 AM

Hi Everyone:

Ray has asked that I keep you updated on his condition. As many of you know, a tumor was found in Ray’s ascending colon last week and doctors felt it imperative that he obtain surgery asap. He underwent a colon resection on Monday in which they removed about 30% of his large intestine as well as some surrounding tissues, including several lymph nodes. The surgery was successful and Ray is currently recovering at Vassar Hospital. He is very comfortable (hurray for epidural and morphine!), although looking forward to the removal of some obtrusive tubes that are going down his throat and precluding him from speaking a great deal - he is furiously employing a note pad and red Sharpe to make his thoughts/feelings known!

The surgeon was able to confirm some tough facts. The tumor is definitely cancer and it appears to have spread to nearby lymph nodes. We will not know any further details until the pathology reports come back late this week or early the next. As a family, we are working hard to digest this news and plan next steps.

Ray and I would like to thank all of the family members that were present in the waiting room yesterday. We would also like to thank the dozens of friends that have been calling, emailing and offering un-ending support with daily living issues surrounding our children, pets and food. The love, prayers and encouragement have meant SO MUCH to Ray and have been the silver lining in this situation.

Thank you, thank you…I will keep all posted as more details become available.

Love,

Christina

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Subject: Ray’s Blog

Date: 08/06/2008 8:52 AM

Hi All:

Ray is recovering very well from his surgery and is still in the “Surgery Stepdown” unit at Vassar Hospital. He hopes to move to a real room today. He wanted me to let you know that he has created a blog to keep everyone updated on his condition and to allow all to comment and say “hi.” It’s located at http://www.rayschwartz.com. He has not been able to update it since the day before surgery as his current room doesn’t have internet access. He’s hoping that his new room will.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Christina

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Subject: Update on Ray’s cancer

Date: 08/12/2008 10:48 AM

All,

First, let me say that I am so incredibly grateful for all of the love and support I have been getting from everyone. It’s definitely helped my recovery and my spirits.

Update:

I was released from Vassar on Friday which was much sooner than we had all expected and shows how well and quickly I am recovering from the surgery.

What we know about my condition is that I had stage 3c cancer. The tumor was large and was on the verge of breaking through the wall of my large intestine. In other words, we caught it just in time. Had it been left much longer the cancer may have spread making it much more difficult if not impossible to treat. I WAS VERY LUCKY!

This was a very aggressively growing cancer. I probably had it only for the last six to twelve months. The good news is that I have no other visible signs of cancer anywhere. However, my treatment is not over as I will need to have six months of chemotherapy - one 48 hour treatment every other week for six months - to kill any cancer that may still be floating around; just to be on the safe side. My recovery from the surgery is off to a great start and so far has been strong and steady and should be finished within three to five weeks. We’re not expecting any complications and I should not notice much difference other than the scar. Chemotherapy should begin in about two to three weeks.

I’m not sure when I will be back in the office but I will most likely start working from home part-time and work my way up from there. I will be keeping everyone posted via email but don’t forget to check the blog for more detailed and timely updates (http://www.rayschwartz.com). I changed it so comments appear instantly (oops).

That’s it for now as I try to rest and recover.

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Subject: Ray’s bought with cancer enters new round

Date: 8/18/2008 10:25 AM

All,

It’s now been exactly two weeks since I had my surgery and I’m feeling better every day. Last week was spent mostly in bed resting though I had to fight my brain to do that. One of the most interesting developments of the week was finding out that I may have Lynch Syndrome, a genetic mutation that may explain why I contracted cancer so early in life. The jury is still out on that and I will not know the results of the blood test for about a month.

I am certainly well rested and reducing the amount of pain medication I’m taking. My wound is healing well from what the experts tell me but of course to me it looks like a train wreck. I discussed going back to work with my surgeon on Thursday and we agreed I could start working from home half-days starting today and playing by ear after that. So today that’s looking like 10:30 to 3:00. I certainly have a lot of catching up to do after spending the last two weeks out.

Again, let me say that I am extremely grateful for all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers that have come my way over the past few weeks and now that my strength is returning I will be less reclusive and more able to communicate more directly with you all.

As has been the case throughout, I will be updating my blog (http://www.rayschwartz.com) with as much information as I can about where I am, what I’m thinking, and how I’m recovering.

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.

–

Ray Schwartz

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Subject: “Cancer Boy” carries on!

Date: 08/25/2008 9:15 AM

All,

Today marks the three-week-out point from my surgery and things are improving as hoped and expected. This past week has been a very eventful. Each day from Tuesday through Friday saw me with all of my little helpers: surgeon, oncologist, genetic counselor, visiting nurse, primary care physician. All my docs, it would seem, are lined up in a row. Tomorrow I go to Sloan-Kettering to verify that statement. Sloan-Kettering where, “Our team of colorectal cancer experts offers the most advanced surgical and medical therapies to maximize your chances for the best possible outcome.” That sounds like a lot of fancy words for “we’ll try our best not to let you die.” That’s marketing for you. Sorry to keep bringing that up but it is the 800 lb gorilla in the room and I’ve chosen to recognize it instead of ignore it.

I’m working on exercising more, getting my sleep into a good pattern, and eating right which is all meant to build up my strength before I hit the chemo which will be on September 9th if things go as planned. It’s too bad I’m still recovering from surgery otherwise I could really hit the exercise hard. It’s also mildly annoying that I need another surgery to install the portacath where my chemo medications will be pumped into me and blood drawn out of me. It is the most economical way to exchange all these fluids which suits me just fine since I am not a big fan of needles and how variously talented phlebotomists tend to bruise me if they don’t know what they are doing or have the proper equipment. Always ask for the butterfly.

There’s no substitute for all the good thoughts and prayers I’ve been receiving via letter, email, phone, visits, and telepathy in my healing. Thank you everyone.

My greatest distraction has been my blog and I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback on it so be sure to take a look. (http://www.rayschwartz.com) has a lot of information about where I am, what I’m thinking, and how I’m recovering.

Love,

Ray

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2. Last Change: Oct 25, 2007
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4. I Have Cancer
5. First Chemotherapy Session Delayed Today