Nov. 19, 2017 (Sunday)
Update:
OK, here we are, only the 5th day of officially knowing I have cancer. Still in the WHAT THE FUCK phase, I am sure this phase will last a long time. Today will be 5th session of radiation (out of 10 sessions). I met with the Oncologist on Friday. Heard of lot of facts and info, it was a “heavy” meeting, thus probably why no update yesterday. I am now taking pain pills (for my back) every 8.5 hours instead of every 4.5 hours (for the pain in my back). So this is good. Anyone who has taken pain pills, knows they don’t help the whole pooping scenario, but I know you are all on the edge of your seats … yes, I am taking a stool softener and yes I am pooping!
The Oncology Appt. on Friday, it was a lot of info / a lot of facts. It was also 3:30pm on a Friday,. I am currently trying to decide if this is the dr. I want to be my quarterback or not. It was not an easy meeting. I am not sure when it will ever get easy for me to hear that I have cancer. But to do our due diligence, we have been looking into what dr. to get a 2nd opinion from – after all, something this major, we should get a 2nd opinion. There is a doctor from UCSD that has been suggested 2x as far as recommendations, so I will reach out to her.
So Step 1 – we are doing the Radiation for that one tumor on my spine, the bastard that caused me all of that pain last week and resulted in the drs. knowing I have cancer.
Step 2 – get a PET Scan … this just gives us some add’l info on my cells that apparently 3 CT scans and a MRI has not yet given us. I know there is more to why I am getting the PET scan, just can’t find it in my notes at the moment.
Step 3 – I will go on a medication that will strengthen / harden my bones so that the cancer in my spine does not have the ability to move / spread as easily (I am sure the dr. said it way more educated-like … but this is the basics on this). And yes, feel free to add in a joke about my bone needing hardening. : )
Then Step 4 – waiting for add’l info in the biopsy that they did in the hospital … waiting to see if my DNA markers match one of the 3 medications that can be used for my treatment. Either I am a match for one of these 3 or I am not. It will be that simple. If I am not a match, then we go to a chemo / immunotherapy route. Regardless of the route, we will kick Cancers’ ass … but the pills would be nice. While I do need to lose some lbs., I prefer to not lose some hair along with it … but hey, gonna do what I gotta do.
Like I said, the last couple of days have been tough … but thank you all for the continued support! Thank you to my beautiful wife! She continues to be my rock as well as my chauffeur and my personal nurse. Thank you so my parents too, thank you for all you are doing to help me through this. And thank you to all of my family and friends.
On a non-cancer note … last night I went to Logan’s Thunder baseball game. While I am not supposed to be throwing a ball, swinging a bat, those kinds of things right now, it was great to be out there with the guys. Hanging with the other coaches, the players, my friends and famiily. Logan went 3 for 4, double and 2 singles. Had 3 RBIs and scored 2 runs. We won 5-4. It was a great game and a great distraction.
And on Friday night, Devon had 2 Friday Night Lights Football games (playoffs and all). Devon’s team won the first game (Devon had an interception) but then the Tigers came up short in the 2nd game – been a great season!
Today, Devon has his last Fall Baseball game of the season today at 3pm, looking forward to that.
That is all for this update — thank you everyone — love you all — and of course, F’ Cancer!