Nov. 17, 2017 (Friday)
Update:
Day 4 of officially knowing I have Lung Cancer. Today is Day 4 of radiation treatment for the larger growth on my spine. There will be 10 total treatments (last day of this treatment will be the Tuesday after Thanksgiving).
Yesterday was my appt. with the Pulmonary (Lungs) Doctor. Both Mo and my parents joined me at this appt. I really liked this doctor. I had some new chest x-rays done. We talked about my case and where we are on things. He answered many of our questions. Of course, in this world of cancer, the answers are not always as black n’ white as one would like. And if you have done like I have, the internet is zero help unless your goal is to have the crap scared out of you. I highly advise staying away from the internet for cancer info. What I have is Adenocarcinoma, which is a type of non small cell lung cancer (it is the slower growing of the 2 types). As you all know, the larger cancer growth on my spine, we are treating that with radiation. Then there is the small growth in my left lung and about 6 more small growths on my spine. There will be one treatment / one combo of treatments for attacking these, both lung and spine will get treated / attacked as one (this is what I hope to learn about later today at the Oncologist Dr. Appt). I also know a PET scan is to be done soon. Cause after all, 3 CT Scans and an MRI is not enough. : )
Dr. Bessudo (oncologist) is who this afternoon’s appt is with. As it was put yesterday, he will be my quarterback for my team. Both Mo and my parents will be joining me for this appt.
Some have asked what stage is my cancer in? What are my chances of beating this? You know, the fun questions. I learned that “Stage” of the Cancer is an antiquated term based on how cancer was fought in the 70s and 80s. As you can imagine, there has been so much advancement in fighting cancer in the last 30-40 years, so “stage” is not as applicable as it once was decades ago. As far as beating this? I am a young and strong man. I am 47 years old and other than this back pain that came on one week ago, I have not had any symptoms. I have my full strength. Everything I have been through to date has not been difficult. I know difficult times are to come. But my point is this, I am young, strong and I know I will beat this. Every person has a personal blueprint. And every blueprint will react differently to every drug / treatment. Be great if the first treatment we try is the successful one, but no way of knowing that until we get going. Each treatment will be a matter of months before we know if it is working. This is where my patience is going to get tried. It is over these months we will learn how my body reacts to these treatment(s).
Again, today’s appt. is a big one. I hope to learn a lot in this afternoon’s appt.
My day ended yesterday back on the baseball field. Devon had a baseball game and while I am not supposed to be coaching right now, it was great to get out there, see friends and watch my son play a great game of baseball!
I wanna give a HUGE shout-out to my beautiful wife who is now my chauffeur and personal nurse. She has been a rock star! And thank you everyone for all of your support. The dinner circle thing has been perfect. Zoie getting walked 2x a day by a dog walker has been awesome! Thank you everyone! And thank you to my parents for being so active in helping me with this fight! We are very blessed to have such a great support team.
Thank you everyone!
Much love for you all!
And of course, F’ Cancer!