Results of my Scans, July Next Steps

This journal entry feels like the big reveal for me and for those who’ve been reaching out anticipating the results of my scans from June 23, thank you for your patience!

To ground us all in timing. The following timeline will serve as context for the images - this is NOT exhaustive of all of the other tests, visits, bloodwork, etc:

April 15, 2026: Stat CT Scan that revealed Stage IV Colon Cancer (Primary) with extensive spread to the Liver

April 17, 2026: Emergency Colonoscopy and Biopsies.

May 4, 2026: Baseline Scheduled MRI with unexpected five day hospital stay at University of Chicago. Could barely hold breathe during MRI, extensive pain in upper right abdomen.

May 6, 2026: Chemo Round One during hospital stay at University of Chicago, May 8 pump removal

May 20, 2026: Chemo Round Two, May 22 pump removal, Northwest Cancer Centers, Crown Point, IN

June 3, 2026: Chemo Round Three, June 5 pump removal, Northwest Cancer Centers, Crown Point, IN

June 10, 2026: Emergency Room due to Fever

June 17, 2026: Chemo Round Four, June 19 pump removal, Northwest Cancer Centers, Crown Point, IN

June 23, 2026: MRI and CT Testing at University of Chicago

June 29, 2026: Review of Scans and progress at University of Chicago with Dr. Shergill.

HEADLINE: COLON AND LIVER TUMORS HAVE SHOWN REDUCTION OF SIGNIFICANCE

The liver is the area we have to really attack as you’ll see in the image. The disease is EXTENSIVE and AGGRESSIVE but we have beaten it down and are scrambling the code!

I have to be honest - I was breathless when I saw the image from May 4 for the first time and I was in shock that I was even functioning after seeing the extensive disease in my liver. It was taking over my entire abdomen in size and has since reduced, but is still majorly inflamed with significant disease. This is very serious and as my friend Linda pointed out on a phone call today, it is probably a blessing that I did NOT know just how bad the liver looked 78 days ago when this journey started. The fact that I didn’t see these images and really understand them is almost a miracle in it off itself because I’m not afraid to look and understand all the data points, but I was so sick that I never even knew that I could click through and see the images from a different system connected to MyChart. This is all part of the universe working in my favor. I’m convinced of this now more than ever.

If you look at the before and after pictures, it is unbelievable how much the disease looks to have been reduced with these four sessions. I’m just getting started, so much more work to do. Here’s what the rest of July has in store for me as far as chemo and long term treatment plan.

July 6, 2026: Chemo Round Five. Due to the impact and discomfort of my side effects we will be reducing the dosages on a few of the drugs, but not pulling back on the drugs themselves. We are moving full force ahead to stay ahead of this liver disease and continue the momentum that we have with this approach. People often ask me how many sessions I am due to have and there are no set numbers. I could be on this regimen for a very long time.

July 7, 2026: Initial consult with Liver Surgeon, Dr. Merkow at University of Chicago

July 8, 2026: Pump Removal

July 20, 2026: Initial consult with Colorectal Surgeon, Dr. Shogan at University of Chicago

July 22, 2026: Chemo Round Six

July 24, 2026: Pump Removal

These dates do not include multiple weekly sessions for Oncology Physical Therapy with Michelle, Oncology Psychology/Therapy with Kathryn, Weekly or Bi-weekly fluid sessions, labs and doctor visits to prepare for chemo sessions, etc.

Cancer is a FULL TIME JOB!