Hi Guys,Sorry for not giving all of you a proper update on my health sooner. They went in through my back underneath my left shoulder blade through an incision that was about six inches. I'm still in a lot of pain (most likely due to the removal of one of my left ribs needed to perform the surgery) but I am at least off of the heavy narcotics. The two supposed metastatic sarcoma nodules were removed from my left lung via wedge resection on Friday May 21st. I was consequently released from the hospital on Tuesday May 25th. The surgery went as well as it could however, the pathology did indicate the spots that were removed from my lung were indeed metastatic sarcoma (malignant fibrous hystiocytoma). The first week that I was back from the hospital, I contacted the University of Michigan and scheduled an appointment to be seen at their national cancer center for a second opinion.The U of M sarcoma team recommended that I go through a round of aggressive chemothearpy. They made a secondary recommendation of waiting and continuing survelliance and a tertiary recomedation of some clinical trials. The only problem is that this type of cancer is very rare (7000-8000 new cases annualy) and to date there is no evidence what so ever that chemothearpy helps to increase survivability or kill MFH cancer cells and what data there is actually indicates decreased survivability. After consulting with my doctor in Toledo (who's speciality is sarcoma), I have made the decision to continue with increased survelliance. At this time I am considered to be cancer free. On August 11 I will have a CT scan to make sure all looks well with my original tumor site (right thight) and my internal organs. 3 months after this ~ Novemeber 11, I will have a full body PET scan. The PET will check me from head to toe for any active cancer growth. 3 months down the road another CT then followed by another 3 months and a PET and then again repeat the cycle.I made the decision to stay on the increased survelliance because; no evidence that chemothearpy has any affect on this type of cancer; chemothearpy is very hard on your system and immune system and could drastically hamper my bodies natural ability to fight the cancer and leave me open to other illness; and the time from starting chemo to full recovery could be well over a year. The surgey I just had was not fun. However, it is much easier to recover from a thoracotomy than it is from chemo. My other concern was if I did start chemo and a tumor/s reappeared in my lung/s that I would not be able to tolerate lung surgey very well if at all.I'm trying to get back to full strength as soon as possible so that I can get back to enjoying life, my wife, my son, my daughter and the rest of my family. One thing I have learned through all of this is not to take anything for granted and live everyday to the fullest. God has laid out a plan for me and all I can do is make the best of it and have hope that I will get to enjoy many more years.Regards,Bob Modrowski

The words, "Cancer Free" are very heartening for me to hear. I can't wait for the day that you feel well and are able to join us FULL FORCE in our wonderful hobby that is Flight Simulation. You will. Just have faith and courage. I will pray for you and for that great day that years from now you have achieved that goal. I just feel that you will do it, and will look back on this test as part of the "journey", and that you have arrived at your destination.Stan

Thanks for the report Bob. I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing. Sounds good!Stephen

Sounds good and sounds like you have been doing very well on your treatment choices.Thanks for letting us know.

May God continue to bless and strengthen you. I will keep you and your family on my prayer list. Thanks for the update.

Thank you very much for sharing, Bob. I sincerely wish you and your family all the best.

Hi Bob,Thanks for the update, and "cancer free" has to sound so sweet! You have many friends here, and I believe I can say from all of them that we are all with you- albeit on a virtual level.Good to hear from you Bob. Bruce.

Dear Bob,Your strength and faith are an exemple for us all.They really touch me personally as my young son is also fighting against cancer for several months now.May God bless and strengthen you.Wishing you and yours all the best.Kindest regards,David

Hi Guys,Sorry for not giving all of you a proper update on my health sooner. They went in through my back underneath my left shoulder blade through an incision that was about six inches. I'm still in a lot of pain (most likely due to the removal of one of my left ribs needed to perform the surgery) but I am at least off of the heavy narcotics. The two supposed metastatic sarcoma nodules were removed from my left lung via wedge resection on Friday May 21st. I was consequently released from the hospital on Tuesday May 25th. The surgery went as well as it could however, the pathology did indicate the spots that were removed from my lung were indeed metastatic sarcoma (malignant fibrous hystiocytoma). The first week that I was back from the hospital, I contacted the University of Michigan and scheduled an appointment to be seen at their national cancer center for a second opinion.The U of M sarcoma team recommended that I go through a round of aggressive chemothearpy. They made a secondary recommendation of waiting and continuing survelliance and a tertiary recomedation of some clinical trials. The only problem is that this type of cancer is very rare (7000-8000 new cases annualy) and to date there is no evidence what so ever that chemothearpy helps to increase survivability or kill MFH cancer cells and what data there is actually indicates decreased survivability. After consulting with my doctor in Toledo (who's speciality is sarcoma), I have made the decision to continue with increased survelliance. At this time I am considered to be cancer free. On August 11 I will have a CT scan to make sure all looks well with my original tumor site (right thight) and my internal organs. 3 months after this ~ Novemeber 11, I will have a full body PET scan. The PET will check me from head to toe for any active cancer growth. 3 months down the road another CT then followed by another 3 months and a PET and then again repeat the cycle.I made the decision to stay on the increased survelliance because; no evidence that chemothearpy has any affect on this type of cancer; chemothearpy is very hard on your system and immune system and could drastically hamper my bodies natural ability to fight the cancer and leave me open to other illness; and the time from starting chemo to full recovery could be well over a year. The surgey I just had was not fun. However, it is much easier to recover from a thoracotomy than it is from chemo. My other concern was if I did start chemo and a tumor/s reappeared in my lung/s that I would not be able to tolerate lung surgey very well if at all.I'm trying to get back to full strength as soon as possible so that I can get back to enjoying life, my wife, my son, my daughter and the rest of my family. One thing I have learned through all of this is not to take anything for granted and live everyday to the fullest. God has laid out a plan for me and all I can do is make the best of it and have hope that I will get to enjoy many more years.Regards,Bob Modrowski

Hi Bob thanks for posting in update glade your doing ok I think it was a wise thought of keeping this beast on increased surveillance then weakening your immune system God Bless.

Dear Bob,Your strength and faith are an exemple for us all.They really touch me personally as my young son is also fighting against cancer for several months now.May God bless and strengthen you.Wishing you and yours all the best.Kindest regards,David

Hi David God bless you and strengthen you and your family. and with all in my heart I wish you the best for your son.

Bob, good to hear your'e doing well, may God be with you and, your family..

Thanks for the post, Bob: been wondering how you were making out. A post like this is a jolt of reality which completely overshadows the minor issues we read about on Avsim (MY WORLD IS COLLAPSING! FSX HANGS ON STARTUP!!!).. I'm glad you are still able to take an active interest in the hobby - your knowledgeable input has long been appreciated by me and many others. All the best.

Bob - Thanx for the update. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I've been cancer free since 1988 although I'm a lobe short on the right side. All I can say is that a positive attitude goes a LONG way in recovery. Sounds like you have it. I and many ohers are living examples of the fact that a cancer diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence.Anytime you want to compare thoracotomy scars, let me know!:)Be well and stay positive.Vic

David,May God bless and strengthen you as well. We will keep your son in our prayers.Vic,I have a stinking suspicion your gonna beat me in the scar department hands down. I can only imagine the difference in approach in performing a thoracotmy from 1988 to 2010. ;)Regards,Bob

Glad to hear you are doing better mate, all the best. Hang in there.