UPDATED FREQUENT QUESTIONS- Address, Status, etc.

Stef, here. We realize that information is getting scattered in the Blog. Here is an UPDATE on most everything. This posting will be reposted from time to time as status changes. Just so you know, if you don’t, I am North’s life mate of four years. He has asked that I support him in keeping everyone up on the details of his progress. As things unfold and time and healing permit he is keeping a separate journal at http://northsjournal.blogspot.com/


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DATE AND LOCATION OF SURGERY
Thursday March 23, 2006  8:15 to 6:15 at UCI Medical Hospital in Orange California. The surgeons are Dr. William Armstrong- Head and Neck and Dr. Greg Evans- Reconstruction


COMMUNICATION
We’ll keep posting details on this Blogsite. Please know
that we cannot possibly answer all the calls and email we are receiving, but we do read your comments and read our email with great gratitude. It is best to email us, because we need to keep our phone lines open and our cell phone minutes manageable. mckinnon@cox.net and
steph@YourOrganizingAngels.com

For those who have asked, our home address is
257 Avenida Madrid #A
San Clemente, CA 92672

HOW YOU CAN HELP
We need help and positive thoughts. Its that simple. We have
a small group of very close friends that are joining with us to help identify what is needed and how to coordinate information and offers of support. With North unable to work as he has, our income picture at this point is very uncertain. The business I co-own with Jenny LeBel, Organizing Angels- A Professional Organizering Company, is our primary source of income for the foreseeable future. We
are really tightening our belts while knowing the perfect level of abundance is always provided.
If your are so moved, a bank account has been set up for donations. Mail Anonymous Donations To:

Union Bank Of California Post Office Box 54403 Los Angeles,
CA 90054-0403 Make Checks Payable To:
Stephanie A Swink (or North McKinnon). Attach a sticky note requesting the
check be deposited to: Account 0471331421

WHAT IS NORTH'S SITUATION?
The official diagnosis is a lesion in his right sinus that has suffered damage from squamous carcinoma cells. In a word, North has Cancer. It is an invasive aggressive cancer tumor that is poorly differentiated. That means its behaves very primitively... growing through and over everything. It also means that it is responsive to treatment. It has jumped to a lymph node that makes it accessible to the blood stream. Right now his immune system is working well and keeping it at bay. The lymphs and sinus cavity will be removed to dramatically reduce the cancer from spreading. Radiation and chemotherapy will reduce the chances even further. Then it will be a matter of months and years as he makes his recovery.

WHAT IT IS NOT?
This is not an ending of North’s life. It is not system wide. It is not a time to worry and wail.

WHAT IS IT?
It is a Type III cancer due to the aggressive nature of the cancer and the fact it has jumped to a lymph node. It can be removed and then
treated with follow-on cancer therapy. This is a beginning into a new level of consciousness and awareness of Love expressed in our relationship and life. His work life will be interrupted for at least 2-3 months and following that for several more as the radiation and chemotherapy is experienced. The full recovery time will be 8-9 months.

WHERE IS THE CANCER?
The cancer is a maxillary sinus cancer. It is tumor that
started in his right sinus cavity, extends down into his upper back jaw,
through his right face up to just on the edge of his right eye orbit (socket).
It is on the back side of the outer sinus area, so it is not visible. Hence it
is the type that is hard to detect. For more information, please see the
attached links. It has jumped to a lymph node under his right jaw line and is likely to be in a few others. IT IS NOT ANYWHERE ELSE.


CAN YOU DONATE BLOOD?
Not directly, but you can donate and ask that the donation
be sent to replenish his withdrawal from the blood bank at UCI Medical.