I am still processing the massive amount of input I sucked in at Pelotonia, but I think writing through it will help. It usually does. These three days in Columbus stoked hope and inspiration, even as they brought news that broke my heart and rattled my confidence. Let’s start with the good. My friend, Doug Ulman,…
Chapter II
In September of 2013, doctors diagnosed me with a malignant 5cm mass, discovered during a regularly-scheduled MRI (which I have as part of my follow-up from a 2001-2002 breast cancer battle). After surgery and tests, I learned that I had thymic carcinoma -- a rare and fast-growing cancer of the Thymus gland. Usually, it’s not diagnosed until it’s already spread to the lungs, heart, or other places, because it can be fairly symptomless. I was blessed, as my oncologist said, that my regular MRIs helped catch it early. My outlook would have been much worse if this had been discovered months later.
I am documenting my journey through Cancer Part II in the hopes that it will educate and inspire others who are facing a difficult diagnosis. In the days after I left the hospital, I sat down with my colleagues at Growing Bolder to share my thoughts on this new challenge. As we say -- I am Surviving & Thriving.
Well, That was Unexpected.
Rarely is it good news when that thought runs through your head at your cancer doctor’s office. And this was not one of those occasional occurrences. I went to the NCI for my 3-week visit, and it will be my last one, at least for the foreseeable future. The Sutent isn’t working anymore. The tumors…
Ragbrai-e-i-e-i-o
The (Des Moines) Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. Or Ragbrai, for short. It began in 1973, and every year travels the state West to East (or from coast to coast, as I keep saying). Riders traditionally dip their wheels into the Missouri River at the start and the Mississippi at the end. It’s…
Life is One Big Adventure if You Just Say Yes
Where was I? Ah, rejoining the Road to Discovery in Salt Lake City after getting great, though disturbingly and familiarly last-minute good news about my Neutrophils showing up to the party. After a quick couple of days of reintroducing myself to Emmitt Smith and Lucy, we headed off to very very hot Nevada. We average just…
The Base Hit
1270! That’s approximately 333 more Neutrophils (or, again, whatever the measure of Neutrophils is) than I needed to stay in the clinical trial. It took 5 blood tests in 3-states to get there, but I am IN, still on the team. I’m not a worrier, but I have to admit, it is a big relief….
And Here I am Again
I’m not quite sure why baseball analogies keep coming in to my brain as I run these clinical trial bases, but to quote Shaq and every other athlete on SportsCenter, “it is what it is.”