Hello Family and Friends
I guess what I'm saying in the Subject is the affect that my cancer diagnosis has had on me has been much like a Yo-Yo. Without stateing all the ups and downs that I, or to put it more correctly, Sue and I, have endured since the cancer diagnosis was given to me last September, I'll just let you all know that it has been 3 months since my last chemo treatment and C-Scan, a time table that I am very thankful for. Although I was told ther was "No Evidence of Disease", I was also told that there is no cure for Thymic Carcinoma cancer. This is when I am also usually told that a bus could run me over tomorrow. Or, when it's your time to go... and on and on. But, with my wife and I happy that we might have some relatively enjoyable time to spend together this summer somewhere other than at the Dr.s office, clinic, chemo room, getting blood sucked out of me or at the pharmacy or any of the other medical things that can be dreamed up. Instead: We did the motorcycle ride to Nova Scotia, Canada and had a great time. It did whoop my butt, yup I was beat. But I am so glad I pulled it off. I have been doing more around the house, again, very tiring and seems to take for ever, I feel like I'll never catch up, but, then I see just how much I have done and realize that if I didn't have the surgury last November, I wouldn't be here to do any of it. So, to be real clear, I am very thankful to be here and be busy even at a slower pace than I would have ever believed could become my norm for me.
On July 12 this year I had another one of my contrast C-scan s done at the VT VA Hospital. For me this is now a fairly routine scan to be done every 3 months. This time however, cancer showed up in three places, 1, the upper lobe of my right lung, My right lung is the lung that already had the cancer and lower lobe removed. 2, At the split of my wind pipe between my two lungs, not the best location there is I'm sure. And last, at my trachea, not a good spot either. I enjoy being able to swallow and talking is something I also enjoy. lol I was called by the VA Hospital to come in and see the Doc. It looked like I was headed for another regimen of a stronger chemo cocktail, but a trip to Boston VA Hospital for another C-Scan and a PET Scan was the new plan. To my surprize, Monday July 19th was the day that an appointment was squeezed in for me. Well, I got the call today from the Doc. The cancer had grown for sure, but, amazingly enough, it wasn't or isn't growing at the very aggresive rate suspected, but rather a much slower pace. Thank God. What's even more great news, I don't have to start chemo now, unlike like first planned. It seems that at my next C-Scan it will be decided if chemo should start. This is great news for me, I have my summer back, I can ride some more and if I need to start chemo in three months, well that's October and riding season is on it's last leg then anyway. "So there," cancer, you blew it again. That's YOU to the mat three times now, my hope is that you give up on me and leave. But know this, until you leave, I'm on guard and I have some pretty good doc's that know what thier doing and I have so many friends and family that are praying and thinking of me That I must say I'm surprized that you don't move on to where you might find it a bit easier for you.
I don't think I'm going to make it to Alaska this year, because I can see I still have a ways to go before I can take on a road trip like that but I have been in the wind and enoy it as much as ever. On a more positive note, I got a hair ct today. First one in a long long long time.
I'm a very lucky man to have so many folks from close and far that care about me. Your thoughts and prayers have done more for me and Sue than any of us may ever know in full. But I want you all to know this, I and Sue are more thankful for you as my family and friends then either of us could ever express.
Sorry I rambled on. I should be hacking zzz by now
good night and good dreams to you all
Sam aka chappy
ps no spell check tonight lol
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Topic: I might be down, but I'm not out! (Read 249468 times)