For those of you who know me from my AMA thread, I'm posting this update on my medical situation as a separate thread so I don't completely derail my AMA thread.

Here are the major highlights:

• I just happened to notice a hardness in my left abdomen last August. It felt about baseball size and I had no symptoms associated with it.

• My primary doctor referred me to a specialist to get a biopsy. That new doctor first wanted an ultra sound scan, than a CAT scan, and finally the biopsy.

• The CAT scan indicated a mass about 15 cm long (6") with no apparent involvement with other organs.

• The biopsy classified this mass as a soft tissue sarcoma.

Based on these results, my primary doctor and the specialist referred me to a surgical oncologist doctor at Georgetown University Hospital who specializes in this type of cancer.

Yada, Yada, Yada, I had surgery on Thursday, February 4 and stayed in the hospital until yesterday (Tuesday, February 16). Besides removing the tumor, they also had to remove the spleen, a kidney, part of the pancreas and a little of the diaphragm. All in all, a pretty involved surgery that took about six hours.

My stay in the hospital was lengthened a few days because my remaining kidney took just a little to completely come "on line" and because of that I had a tremendous amount of water retention (my weight today is 26 pounds less than it was a week ago).

The big reveal now will be when I have my follow up visit with the doctor (maybe this Friday) and we get the pathology report on the tumor. Best case scenario is that they got it all and I'm good to go. But if they didn't get it all, then some further treatments will be needed.

Meantime, of course, my focus will be to get back to the cockpit. I've heard from others that anytime cancer is involved, it will take several months to satisfy the FAA. I'm sure I can find things to do with my downtime (including more poker).

So that's really all I've got for you, and I appreciate all the nice wishes sent my way regarding this.

I know I mentioned this in the other thread, but I really hope things go well for you from this point.

GL W0X0F.

Im hoping they got it all and its a swift recovery for you!

Good luck!

Hope it all goes great for you.

Didn't see your AMA but have always rated you as one of the good guys. Kick ass and get back flying.

Good luck and swift recovery.

just curious, what are the long-term ramifications (if any) of removing this much stuff?

Haven't kept up with the megathread so had no idea this was going on.

Good luck mate, let's hope they got it all and you make a swift recovery.

From what I understand, and I'm sure this is a gross oversimplification, I can get by just fine with one kidney; the spleen is not fully understood but seems to be not essential (though I'm getting all those vaccines now that I never did before: flu, pneumonia); the pancreas is essential and produces insulin, but a partial pancreas, which I have, can pick up the full load; and, lastly, I was told by the doc that I would have no long term effects from the small amount of the diaphragm they shaved off.

yep, hoping for nothing but good news for you in the future.

Good luck dude and have a fast recovery. Really appreciate the interesting things you've brought to this community and looking forward to more.

From the little I know of the organs you mentioned (plus diaphragm) it sounds like a best-case scenario for what they had to take out of you.

That is really awesome.

Do you have any new hobbies you are considering for the FAA mandated break?

From the GOAT AMA thread to the new "ask me anything about removing all kinds of dumb extra organs", W0X0F keeps bringing the hits.

When you feel up to flying again, is it just a matter of getting a FAA physical that stamps you good to go, or something more rigorous based on being out on a medical?

All the good vibes headed your way, sir.

Crazy, waking up and finding a lump is my worst nightmare. The balls is the absolute worst but having a kidney, spleen and other stuff I'm sure is not nice.

Hope it comes back that they got it all out and you get back in the air soon.

gosh darn woxof i hope they left you some good stuff in there
speedy and safe recovery!

W0X0F -- best wishes on a speedy recovery. I look forward to OOT filling your first flight back (at least in the first class cabin)!

thanks get well soon!

Speedy recovery!

All my very best thoughts are still with you, get well soon.

W,

Between the tumor and all those excess baggage organs, sounds like you're just optimizing your internals. Good luck with everything.

glad you seem to be recovering well!!

Get well soon cap