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submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by jordanlund@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

Some of you know I was offline for a bit this week for surgery. What you didn't know (and what I didn't know until about 2 hours ago) is that the surgery has uncovered cancer.

I'm intentionally using "c" cancer and not "C" Cancer because 6 months ago the biopsies I had done were pre-cancerous with no sign of cancer proper.

So, whatever it is, it developed in the last 6 months and I take that as a good sign.

From here I need to focus on doing what the docs tell me to do starting with blood tests tomorrow, then we're doing genetic stuff and a CT scan, that will tell us the official "stage" of the cancer.

My plan is to come back, but it won't be immediate and I don't (yet) have any sort of timeline. My ideas are probably more aggressive than the doctors and insurance will allow. 😉

So I'm planning on the worst, doing paperwork, advanced directives, all the stuff you don't usually have to think about. Then we'll see where it goes.

I wish Lemmy all the luck in the world!

Edit

OK - met with the surgeon. At a minimum it's stage 2 (invasive) with the potential for stage 3 (in the lymph nodes).

We won't know until they remove the sigmoid colon (all of it) and the related lymph nodes and have it all checked.

Scheduler is going to call me, right now it's looking like 3 to 5 weeks out, so late Feb. or early March.

Potential to move me up because cancer patients have priority.

If it's stage 2, no further action needed, surgery fixes it.

If it's stage 3, that requires chemotherapy, but we won't know that until after the surgery.

Edit 2

Surgery is scheduled for 2/19. It was going to be 2/11, but they decided they need more time to review the drugs I'm on and figure out which ones to stop and when.

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[-] lennybird@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Sorry to hear that, wish you all the best. We went through some oncology shit in my family recently, too. Stay compliant and keep your spirits up and that genuinely goes a long way with outcomes.

Not sure if you're like me but I start researching like crazy to "know the enemy" inside and out; a great introduction to the immune system and cancer is "Immune" by Philipp Dettmer -- the guy who does the Kurzegesagt series (he himself I believe had either lymphoma or leukemia; I think he left it ambiguous).

[-] HamFistedVegan@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Very sorry to hear that.

Although I don't know you personally I sincerely hope, as I'm sure you do, that you succeed in your battle against it and that you have a great deal many more healthy years ahead of you.

You're doing fantastic work here and I believe I speak for everyone when I say a massive thank you for it.

All the best 👍🙏

[-] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 68 points 3 weeks ago
[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 23 points 3 weeks ago

Amen! And I aint even religious!

[-] JoMiran@lemmy.ml 14 points 3 weeks ago

For what it's worth, in 2022 I had Stage 3 thyroid cancer that had spread throughout my neck. Very treatable but still a mind fuck to hear the C word. The floor just falls right our from under you. I made it out ok and I am sure you will too.

Best of luck to you. I hope you kick its ass promptly.

[-] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 43 points 3 weeks ago

I wish you all the best. Take care.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 15 points 3 weeks ago
[-] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Haha, nice. Be well, brother.

Sorry to hear that 😕

Fuck cancer. Go kick its ass and take good care of yourself. Wishing you a low stress recovery during your time away. Thank you for everything you've done here.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago

I see it as yet another opportunity to invite RFK Jr. to eat my entire ass! LOL. Thanks for the kind words!

[-] ccunning@lemmy.world 12 points 3 weeks ago
[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

That's the plan!

[-] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 9 points 3 weeks ago

I wish you well. Good luck!

[-] SinningStromgald@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago

Best wishes on a speedy recovery!

[-] TheLastOfHisName@piefed.social 8 points 3 weeks ago

My best for a thorough and speedy recovery!

[-] treeko@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

All the best homie

[-] ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

What a nasty little bit of news to get out of the blue. You must be reeling right now. Wishing you all the best.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

Well, it wasn't entirely out of the blue, there were biopsies 6 months ago and they sent me photos, which made me go "Hey, that's fucking cancer!" but the people with actual degrees in this were saying "No, no, it's pre-cancer."

So on the one hand I get to tell the doctors "SEE! SEE!" 😉

When they pull something out of you that looks like Tetsuo from the end of Akira... yeah...

[-] ChunkMcHorkle@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Tetsuo from the end of Akira… yeah…

Way to paint a picture, man 🤣

Good luck!

[-] A_cook_not_a_chef@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

Take care of yourself. Glad you caught it early.

[-] Triumph@fedia.io 6 points 3 weeks ago

Hopefully you'll be able to get a scan in the state you're already in, and not have to go to CT for it.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

Oh yeah, I have a good team of doctors!

[-] Akasazh@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

You go and kick that fucking disease out, you hear!

I look forward to hear about your recovery.

[-] Impound4017@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 weeks ago

Godspeed, soldier, and thank you for your service up to now. You’ve been a persistent voice of reason on Lemmy, and I’ll miss seeing your input, but taking care of yourself comes first.

Hoping all goes well for you, and I’m looking forward to hearing how you beat cancer’s ass!

[-] gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

Good luck, and tell your insurance company I said they're a bunch of bums

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Oh, they KNOW! 😉

[-] ptz@dubvee.org 5 points 3 weeks ago

Definitely take care of yourself and best wishes.

[-] gdog05@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

All the best in your fight. We'll be here in your corner with cat pics and all the memes whenever you need.

[-] m3t00@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

fight. nearly died back in 2017. still kicking

That's rough, to say the least. Thank you for all you've been doing. Please forget about Lemmy for awhile and relax and recover. The world (unfortunately?) will be right where you left it so don't rush.

[-] raspberriesareyummy@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

Best wishes!

[-] MedicPigBabySaver@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

Good luck.

5 year survival rates are up to 70%, with rates in the 90%s for several types.

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

I already beat a 50% 5 year rate on the heart stuff so I got that going for me! 😉

[-] Substance_P@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks jordanlund for your voice and for keeping us in the loop. Your updates have been my main line to staying informed and engaged with what's happening in politics, we are all grateful for the care and grit you bring every time you post and for the best sub on Lemmy. This corner of Lemmy is in my mind the reason I came to this platform, we’re here cheering you on, wishing you the very best in these tough times.

[-] kandoh@reddthat.com 3 points 3 weeks ago

Cancer killed my mom. Good luck.

[-] Iceblade02@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Best of luck in getting healthier!

[-] jordanlund@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[-] Hadriscus@jlai.lu 3 points 3 weeks ago

Cancer is a common enemy. Best wishes

[-] brooke592@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago
[-] Australis13@fedia.io 2 points 3 weeks ago

Argh, sorry to hear that, but at least it sounds like it's very early in the process. Hopefully it's easily treated and you're back in no time.

I wish you all the best.

[-] sturmblast@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Good luck to you

this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2026
211 points (96.1% liked)

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