I really hate doing this here, but it truly does seem to be the absolute easiest way to inform everyone. We’re incredibly overwhelmed, and we can’t seem to keep up with all the texts and calls.

Many of you likely already know that l went to the ER with back pain in October, and came out with some incredibly upsetting news that has turned our lives upside down.

A CT scan meant for my spine pain revealed I have Stage 4 Neuroendocrine Cancer that started with a malignant tumor in my small intestine and metastasized to nearby lymph nodes, both lobes of my liver, and my peritoneum. 

This type of cancer is unfortunately not curable, and I will be on treatments for the rest of my life. On March 7 I will be having 15% of my small intestine removed to remove the original/primary tumor, as well as my full gall bladder and appendix.

Because I have multiple (an absolute minimum of 20) tumors spanning across both lobes of my liver, surgery on my liver is not an easy option at this time — but there are treatments available. The treatments unfortunately will not cure me, but they can at least potentially help prevent the cancer from progressing and subdue my symptoms. What we also recently found out is that these tumors will unfortunately continue to come back, regardless of surgical or medical intervention — it's just the nature of this specific type of metastasis. (See blog post "Silver Linings Post Doc Visit" for much, much more detailed and latest information.)

We decided to start this blog as a way to be able to instantly and efficiently share detailed updates with everyone as they happen. Plus, these little bastards are pretty rare and go undetected with little symptoms. We figure if we document our findings, it might help someone else catch this early and understand what its all about....

You’ll be able to refer to this site to see all upcoming appointments, surgeries, procedures, etc. This way, we can be open, honest and straight forward — and we know the people who love me and Dayna the most will be able to see the important updates immediately, as they unfold.

Please understand, this blog is in NO WAY meant to be impersonal or a substitute for connection and real conversation. We know how much you all care about me and Dayna. — This is simply what we feel is the best way to keep things organized, accessible and a place where most of the important updates can be easily and instantly accessed by everyone. As many of you know, Dayna has her own health challenges that can make it incredibly difficult to communicate some days, so this really does seem like the best way.

We promise to update the blog as soon as any new information comes along, so be sure to check the "blog" page for the most recent updates. If you want to receive notifications about new posts, please sign in. 

We can't express enough how lucky we both feel that we have so many amazing and supportive people in our lives, and we are so appreciative of the outpouring of support.  We love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here for us.

Love, Dayna & Paul xoxo