Rocky Road of Life

2 years later

2009-11-30T10:38:00.001-05:00

Today is the two anniversary of the day I got the "yes you have cancer".

So glad that I am better and that one worry can be in the back of my head.

Keep up the fight to stop cancer.

missing tests

2009-06-18T11:16:00.001-04:00

I think I have had it with these expensive tests. Going to stop going in for a long while...

Just too much

MSK again...ugh

2009-04-01T08:51:00.000-04:00

off to another checkup - blood etc this Thursday...almost forgot, I guess that is good!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T10:19:00.001-04:00

Check out Livestrong.org

2009-03-03T10:02:00.003-05:00

Someone you know dealing with cancer? Do them and yourself a favour and check out the LiveStrong web site. There is lots of help for those with cancer and their family/friends...

www.livestrong.org

Aunt Mary R.I.P.

2009-02-18T11:40:00.000-05:00

Praying for Aunt Mary who passed on this week.

Why be healthy?

2009-02-11T10:09:00.000-05:00

Watch CBS Videos Online

Hate CT Scans

2009-02-10T10:46:00.003-05:00

Not excited about CT Scan this week...hoping insurance company will make me delay it...Although they never pay anyway...

Ciaran Happy B-DAY

2009-02-04T14:05:00.000-05:00

Latest Check-up

2009-01-29T10:23:00.002-05:00

Always annoying to go to doctors and be told you need more tests and they will not have results until I see them again in April...

That being said, all well at today's appt...next CT Scan follow-up in a few weeks...next doc appt in April .

MSK Hunted me down

2009-01-12T14:10:00.002-05:00

With a lot of help from the wife, the staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering hunted me down to come back in. Since they treat everyone like a cog in a big machine, I assumed I could just sneak off and never come back....

SO I WAS WRONG.

Back for more blood and xrays later this month...I just wanted to forget about the whole thing...

Happy Birthday Candace

2009-01-06T09:50:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday !!!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

Aunt Mary

2008-12-22T10:35:00.002-05:00

Sad news as my aunt Mary ha been diagnosed with cancer. Hers is far more advanced and it is beating her body hard. I pray she has a good Christmas with her children...

1 Year Later

2008-11-30T08:43:00.001-05:00

So Nov 30th is the 1 year anniversary of my diagnosis with TC. I have to be happy with how things have gone. I am still cancer free and hoping to only visit Sloan Kettering once and a while for follow-ups.

Bad news that came the the week, my aunt has cancer. She is off to see an oncologist on Monday to see if there is any chemo or radiation even for some short term improvement in well being...Prayers with her.

Three Ways to Give This Holiday Season

2008-11-27T09:20:00.000-05:00

What a year it's been. With your help, we've accomplished a lot in 2008. We got both presidential candidates on the record about their plans to fight cancer. We raised awareness through LIVESTRONG Day events in cities across the country. And we united thousands of people through the LIVESTRONG Challenge.
In 2009, we have even more great things in store. We'll promote the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Initiative, Lance will raise cancer awareness globally by participating in several cycling races around the world and we will continue to stand up for the 20 million people around the globe who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Please watch this video and consider giving to the LAF in one of three ways this holiday season:
Give a donation
Buy LIVESTRONG merchandise
Forward this video to your family and friends.
We need your help more than ever. Unite and fight cancer with us this holiday season.
LIVESTRONG
Doug UlmanPresident/CEO, Lance Armstrong Foundation

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T12:08:00.000-05:00

Everyone have a great turkeyday!!

skipping Doc visits

2008-11-18T08:35:00.003-05:00

I must be feeling better as I can't stand to go to the factory that is MSK...I'll go back after December...I have had so many x-rays/CT scans I think I'm starting to glow...

CT scans ---ALL CLEAR

2008-11-03T12:40:00.002-05:00

Last week I got the results of the latest CT Scans...All clear! The lymph nodes in my lungs and admen that are enlarged have not grown. The glassy marks in the lungs are gone..

That and the continued news of the tumor markers in normal ranges makes it look like all is well...

I'll start only going to Sloan Kettering once every few months soon. As those doctors love to keep testing you...I feel the worst is all behind and now I am going to pretty much put the cancer behind me!! Great feeling..

Thanks to all my family and friends for their prayers and thoughts.

Hard to believe it's been 7 years

2008-09-11T08:17:00.003-04:00

Never Forget…God bless our friends and neighbours lost on 9/11

going well

2008-09-07T08:54:00.001-04:00

x-rays in Aug were clear; blood markers in "normal " range. So hopefully thr ct scan brfore was nothing....xrays again in Sept ; then ct scan in Oct...that should show all clear for now!!!

Pictures of the boys

2008-08-15T14:58:00.003-04:00

So whenever your feeling like life is kicking you in the balls (er, ball) I can look at the boys to make myself feel better!!

XRAYS on Tues

2008-08-15T14:54:00.002-04:00

So X-rays on Tuesday coming up , then the results on Thursday. Hopefully the mysterious spots etc on the lungs will be gone and we can focus on other stuff!!

All is well...hopefully

2008-07-21T09:25:00.003-04:00

Last week I found out that the CT scan showed a "spot on my lung". Doctor at MSK said it was probably a cold or pneumonia. Since I was not sick, not the best answer...They checked my breathing, all clear...so they are not overly worried. Xray next month will tell if something is still there...

Nice that a lot of people care and are always praying...that is why there will be nothing there next month...

The only thing that worries me is that TC moves to lungs and then brain...they keep telling me that is the area they look at and now something shows up..

CT Scan

2008-07-11T12:02:00.001-04:00

another month,,,another CAT Scan...

updates good

2008-05-21T09:57:00.002-04:00

So I continue to visit MSK in New York every month. They call it aggressive monitoring (kind of a pain, but if anything shows up they will know right away).

I am getting multiple blood tests and X-Rays every month; every third month I'll also get a CT Scan (love them, UGH)!

The good news is the tumor markers are down, and in normal ranges. All the tests, X-Rays etc say there are no new tumors (Great news). Still have a few side effects from things, but not life threatening and vs the possibility of more surgery or Chemo it's no big deal.

2008-04-08T12:35:00.001-04:00

Forward to a Friend Donate LIVESTRONG.ORG LIVESTRONGBlog.ORG

I'm coming to you

Dear Peter:

Read Lance's op-ed piece

-->
Every good fight needs a good team, and the fight to make cancer a national priority is no exception. That's why I will join more than 500 organizers and the entire LAF staff to make our voices heard on LIVESTRONG Day – May 13, 2008.
As part of the team, I will travel from coast to coast to attend four LIVESTRONG Day events in New York, Ohio, Nevada and a yet-to-be-determined location, the winner of the LIVESTRONG at School contest. As I cross the country, I look forward to uniting with you to spread the critical message that the leading killer of Americans under 85 deserves some attention.
Through 500+ community events on LIVESTRONG Day, we will demonstrate that we are united to fight cancer.
If we work together, there's nothing we can't accomplish. Join me on LIVESTRONG Day. Do your part and register an event today. Large or small, every LIVESTRONG Day event can help make a difference.
LIVESTRONG,Lance
P.S. – Please pass this message along to others who might be interested.

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

2008-03-07T13:58:00.002-05:00

More good news, I guess you know you are doing well when the main(top) doctor does not even come in to talk to you during your monthly monitoring appointments. Keep them coming!!

2008-02-20T12:35:00.000-05:00

the following is from the Livestrong blog on Livestrong.org

Ms. Angelo’s 4th Grade Class
February 18th, 2008 by Brooke McMillan (LAF Staff)
I have the distinct pleasure of talking to cancer survivors and Lance Armstrong Foundation supporters on a daily basis, but I got a really special call from a woman named Deb that I wanted to share. She was asked to speak to Ms. Angelo’s 4th grade class about her fight with cancer. Ms. Angelo was teaching a special unit on cancer survivors! Way to go Ms. Angelo! Each student was asked to bring in a picture of a cancer survivor before, during and after treatment and then interview him/her about what it was like. Deb had never shared her story in this manner before, but was up to the task. The LAF sent underwritten youth-sized wristbands to hand out to the class and I sent a letter thanking Ms Angelo for teaching her kids about survivorship. So, I just wanted to thank Ms. Angelo again publically for teaching this special unit, her kids for participating and Deb for sharing her experiences with others. Way to go!
If you have a kid K-12 in your life and would like to have him/her learn about cancer, cancer prevention and survivorship, take a look at our new school curriculum for teachers called LIVESTRONG at School. Go to www.livestrong.org/school for lesson plans, downloadable worksheets and conversation starters. This would be a great way for schools to participate in LIVESTRONG Day!
Ms. Angelo’s 4th Grade Spring Hope Elementary School in Spring Hope, N.C.

So you are feeling better

2008-02-19T16:27:00.002-05:00

I was all excited to start working out again, and even (maybe) staying with it for a while. However, guess what?

Hint: It's February Vacation week

Answer: Kids off of school, so WE all must get sick!!!

The lovely flu......

Someone please tell me why kids always get sick on vacation!!!

More Good News

2008-02-11T08:27:00.001-05:00

Another good appt at MSK on Thursday. The X-rays of the chest are clear and tumor markers are all in normal ranges...All good news.

I asked about chemo and they said that the operation would be the first plan of action if we were to do anything (with the one lyph node enlarged). They want to stay on "aggressive monitering". So hopefully some normalcy back in our lives.

In three weeks back for more x-rays and blood tests and then another CT Scan in April to see if the lymph nodes have changed at all.

To Chemo or not to Chemo

2008-01-27T17:43:00.001-05:00

So now everyone (well a lot of people) are jumping up and down while asking why I have not at least had Chemo yet?!

I was feeling like the "just wait" plan was the best way to go. Well, now people from Boston to New York are all saying I should be pushing to have chemo...like I want to push to get sick and lose hair...

WHAT TO DO??????

Thanks for the thoughts

2008-01-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone for the good thoughts and prayers....it seems they are working...we are in observation mode now...good news I hope...

Off to see the surgeon today; hopefully all is well there and I can start to get back to "normal"...i guess that means wife won't be carrying the trash out every week anymore.. :(

So, just when I started feeling better about the diagnosis I look at the calendar and I'm almost 40. UGH!!!!

Good news?!!

2008-01-04T00:39:00.000-05:00

Met with doc at MSK yesterday, he said the CT scan looked good. One lymph node is enlarged. So with my tumor markers going down he wants to wait and watch...

I am happy to watch for a while...going to keep getting blood tested and x-rays again in a few weeks..But, for now it looks good...

Now if I can just get to feeling 100%

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-02T22:22:00.000-05:00

Be great in '08 !

CT Scans suck..probably the worst tasting drink ever....

Feeling good?

2007-12-26T09:09:00.000-05:00

So you have a good couple days, enjoy Christmas...almost forgot all the cancer stuff...then you look in the mirror and notice your are lopsided!

LOL

At least no-one on the trains this morning....

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-24T08:43:00.000-05:00

SILVER BELLS

2007-12-21T15:47:00.000-05:00

....or BELL?

soon it will be Christmas day....

Love that insurance red-tape!!!

2007-12-20T08:44:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought it sucked enough to have cancer; then you have to fight with the stupid insurance idiots in order to get better...

AGH!!!!

2007-12-18T16:30:00.000-05:00

At least the market is quiet everyday!!!

So of course night was worse!

2007-12-17T21:13:00.000-05:00

So as I said this am it was icy and cold...so on the pm train we changed tracks at GTC (never a good sign) by the time I hobbled over there guess what? Yup, no seats...so I stand...no biggy; except the train stops and starts all the way to Stamford when we have to get off and go to a third train (more problems) and still no seats...

Needless to say I was tired and sore as crap on first day back in city...

Back to Commute

2007-12-17T07:55:00.000-05:00

Love to take the train...bloody freezing cold and icy as crap...all I'm doing is wondering when I am going to slip and pull a stitch...

Let it snow, let it snow....

2007-12-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

So it's finally winter!!

And I can't shovel, don't want to blow the other nut...LOL

Doc said no heavy lifting for 6 weeks post surgery... luckily Amstel only 12 oz...

More Doctors

2007-12-13T22:17:00.000-05:00

So I think I've seen more doctors in the last two weeks than I've seen in the last 20 years!!

Went to Memorial Sloan Kettering today. Guess what? More tests...only blood today, but my arms feel like a pin cushion...I actually am starting to appreciate a good Phlebotomists. Had one on Monday; not a good one Thursday...How stupid that I'm writing about that...

Anyway, new Doc seems real positive and wants more CT scans, etc before the decide if I need to get more treatment... May need operation or Chemo or NOTHING but watch levels in blood....Guess which one we want??????

Doc office

2007-12-10T18:33:00.000-05:00

So doc #1 of the week is over. Post surgery looks good. Now on to the beginning of countless blood tests looking at cancer markers. The game plan looks like then on to NYC oncologist and the test will begin all over again.

Good news is that the main tumors are gone; and it looks like surgeon got them all; bad news is the uncertain for the future. The final answers as to more surgery and/or chemo will be talked about on Thursday; I'm sure no final answers then...Hearing they will need blood markers from like 5 weeks post surgery to tell if my levels are back to a normal level...SO....WE Wait and test and retest...

Did I ever mention that I never go to doctors? Well I guess that is going to change...

Patriots continue to roll

2007-12-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

With Brady and gang continuing the run (13-0) we can all take that winning attitude with us in our everyday life...

Sappy cliche...

2007-12-08T09:21:00.001-05:00

What a cliche; a guy gets cancer and starts a blog...like who gives a phuck what I have to say? No-one hopefully: I just figure I can use a blog as a way to have verbal diarrhea... Not to be sappy (and if anyone falls upon this blog and thinks it is; do me a favour and keep moving) just puke down some misspelled, bad grammar rants...

So on a bright side: I have determined in the last few days that American television is crap...there may be nothing good on at all...thank God for ESPN...

this sucks

No secrets

2007-12-07T13:47:00.000-05:00

It's a weird feeling when everyone seems to know about your problem. When somebody out of the blue comes up or calls/emails that they have heard I have Testicular Cancer, I feel like...WOW does everyone know about my bad ball?

LOL

Must keep humour up!

I am very thankful that it is a highly curable type of cancer, and I know I will be fine!! I also am VERY thankful for all the good wishes and offers of help. I truly can't believe how nice everyone is....and mostly ---my wife is the best!

Rocky Road

2007-12-06T13:11:00.000-05:00

So it has not even been a week and things are moving so fast!

As I guess a lot of people, I decided to write down on these stupid blogs my thoughts, feelings etc of getting cancer. First I'm still in shock.

I had some pain and a hard, enlarged testicle. I'm the type of guy who just always gets better. I never really go to the doctor. So I thought things would just get better... a month goes by and it does not get better. It gets larger and starts to hurt more....My wife, Candace, says enough and gets me to sign up with a GP and see a doctor. Well the General Practitioner immediately looked at it and got serious...He thought it was testicular cancer.

That was last Wednesday night...he sent me to a urologist...guess what? Cancer. That was Friday morning. He sent me for ultra-sounds; blood work; then CT scans; x-rays; EKG's; more blood...I knew I was in trouble when they moved me through these medical tests in rapid time....Never heard of anyone never having to wait days or weeks for a CT scan, etc...

Then doctor said "yes, it was cancer" surgery on Monday!!! No time to let it sink in...

Operation went well; initial CT scans and ultrasounds looked good...I was thinking it was going to pass quick....too soon!! Saw an oncologist and it looks like some cancer moved to some lymph nodes...this means more surgery and maybe chemo (it all depends on how high blood marks will be next time I get them done).

Good news is that Testicular Cancer has a great cure rate; just a Rocky Road ahead to get there!!