From diagnosis to my recovery today, 4 1/2 months have transpired. In that time, we've gone through chemotherapy, radiation, many tests, a 10hr surgery and now we're winding down with a positive recovery period. This blog was titled "time to climb" in reference to rising above all this, overcoming these difficult, but not monumental challenges - it also shared meaning with some of my favorite hobbies - flying and mtn biking. "Time to climb" is a decision, one that can be selected each time life throws another obstacle in front of you.
At the end of every climb, comes the well-earned descent, whether losing altitude for a landing at our destination or cresting the mountain to find the sweetest singletrack trail to take us home, every climb is rewarded. As I look back on this recent climb, it was not without difficulty at times, but never did I find myself in a position that I didn't have the right gear to continue the climb. As a mtn biker, I've always been a fan of the short, technical climbs versus the long, arduous ones that continue on for miles. So I learned a great deal of patience on this climb, especially in the hospital. Good results are worth the wait. As with many of my epic rides, there was so much to take away from this journey. The outpouring of love, the shear number of people supporting me, concern from so many places I would never have expected - all of these added to my journey, to my climb, making the experience more rewarding. Know that your support - the prayers, emails, positive thoughts, therapy rides, texts, phone calls, cards, gifts - no matter how small to you, served as a significant motivating factor to me, when I needed it most. I knew I had many people to succeed for, too many to fail in front of - hence my focus through this.
I've heard the phrase "God works in mysterious ways", but I'm not a believer. There is no mystery to this - He never gave me more than I could handle and tested my faith through all of this. I hope He is proud of how I responded, never once questioning his motives or his plan. I accepted it and set out to do all that I could do to affect a positive outcome. There is indescribable peace that you feel when you consent to follow His plan, a peace that adjusts your outlook to the challenges ahead. It was this peace that made my journey through chemo, radiation and surgery appear easy to many of you. I placed my trust in Him and my stress and anxiety were almost nonexistent.
As this is my final blog, I wanted to give you an update on my condition. My cancer responded very well to the entire treatment plan. The chemo/radiation done before surgery successfully reduced the tumor and eradicated any cancer cells in the region targeted. The surgery removed 2/3 of my esophagus and 1/3 of my stomach to insure they removed any affected areas around the tumor. These were then successfully reconnected and the final results will be determined this Thursday, at which time I may part with my feeding tube - try not eating or drinking for THREE weeks! Hey, but I'm down to a svelte 180lbs!! C'mon - there had to be some benefit to cancer treatment :) Once the feeding tube is removed, I'll return to life as it was pre-cancer. So we're excited to be at this point. I will be tested every 6 months for the first 2 years and once a year after that to insure there is no change to my cancer-free status. No fears here - God's got it!
When I look back on this journey, specifically the day of the diagnosis on Christmas Eve, I never expected what I got. Through chemo & radiation, I never missed a day of work, rode my bike 3x per week and continued on with Ski Patrol. It seemed to last forever, but never had the impact on my body that I expected. Surgery was much longer than initially thought, but to think that within 24 hours after surgery I'd be up walking - well that wasn't expected either. Now to think that in less than 6 months I'd go from diagnosis to living a cancer-free life again....well, let's just call it short of a miracle. I'm so very fortunate for this outcome, but that is the one thing I expected - to be cancer-free again. I had too much going for me for any other result - God, great medical team, family and friends.
WE did it. Thank you with much love!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Just what the Doctor ordered
After spending 8 days in a hospital room, no matter the level of attention and concern from the staff, I had grown tired of looking out at the hills above Duarte only wishing for some time outside. So yesterday, with the temps hanging at a comfortable 85, it was the perfect remedy for my cabin fever. Even with limited mobility, due to being attached to my J Tube for feeding 20 hours of each day, nothing beats being outside.
We had friends stop by yesterday to check in on me and share the afternoon. I was taking a break from the tube feeding when they came by, so I think they were surprised to see me moving around so well a week after such a major surgery. I still have quite a ways to go in my recovery, but it felt good to be outside hanging out with friends. Much has been accomplished in the week after surgery and I'm ready for steady progress until things are back to work, back on the bike, back to contributing at home and back to doing all those things that give me such reward in life.
My pathological report came back Friday night after my last post. The prognosis is very good based on the results and my body responded well to their treatment plan. We'll have a testing schedule set over the next 5 years to manage and monitor any changes. No more chemo or radiation required!! At this point, despite a smaller stomach (2/3 size now) and shorter esophagus (1/3 size now), I'm ready to get back to normal life over the next 2, 3, 6 months. My eating and drinking habits will change, but that's actually a small price to pay to have life back.
More friends headed over today, more time to be outside today - another day in my recovery that will be better than the last!! Yup, just what the Doctor ordered......
We had friends stop by yesterday to check in on me and share the afternoon. I was taking a break from the tube feeding when they came by, so I think they were surprised to see me moving around so well a week after such a major surgery. I still have quite a ways to go in my recovery, but it felt good to be outside hanging out with friends. Much has been accomplished in the week after surgery and I'm ready for steady progress until things are back to work, back on the bike, back to contributing at home and back to doing all those things that give me such reward in life.
My pathological report came back Friday night after my last post. The prognosis is very good based on the results and my body responded well to their treatment plan. We'll have a testing schedule set over the next 5 years to manage and monitor any changes. No more chemo or radiation required!! At this point, despite a smaller stomach (2/3 size now) and shorter esophagus (1/3 size now), I'm ready to get back to normal life over the next 2, 3, 6 months. My eating and drinking habits will change, but that's actually a small price to pay to have life back.
More friends headed over today, more time to be outside today - another day in my recovery that will be better than the last!! Yup, just what the Doctor ordered......
Friday, May 3, 2013
Mixed Feelings
Just walked into the house - a full 8 days after leaving for my surgery. Had this date clearly noted on the calendar - said "Surgery done, hospital recovery complete". It had a small footnote..."cancer free". That's how big this day was supposed to be for me, like cresting a long hill climb to the view of a sweet singletrack decent. In mountain bike parlance, a tough effort followed by an epic downhill ride! That's what I had in mind for today, a celebration of sorts that all the hard effort was behind me, and now I just had to be patient while my body got back to shape. It wasn't the fact that the pathological results are still due, so I can't honestly conclude "cancer free" yet, but I couldn't muster the excitement of the day.
You see, I received a message this morning from my very good friend that his wife was diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous tumor adjacent to her brain - 40, great lady, strong physical shape, loving family, just relocated to be near more family - DAMN! This wasn't part of their plan or on the radar. Cancer doesn't discriminate - it wants everyone. I've got to get beyond the initial punch in the gut, like I'm sure they have experienced this week, and then become a true friend and offer them the same love, care and prayers they offered in my support. But I know firsthand that their resolve will be much stronger than mine and I will be there with them through it. I never set out to speak 'firsthand' about cancer, but if I can help just one person know with a strong support group, good research on your own, a great medical team and through God's mercy, there is hope for ANYTHING. God thinks on a much larger plane that we do, so we can't think so limited when there is always hope.
On a positive note, the theme that I was prepared to center my day around, my 7-day stay in the hospital following my 10-hour surgery was very productive. Despite my 12 tubes/wires, I was up and walking the day after surgery. The medical staff was so supportive and caring, and each day we made progress together until all of the tubes, except my feeding tube, were gone. On day 1, I was in ICU doing almost nothing on my own, relying solely on my doctors and nurses to function. Sleeping was an impossibility with the twice/thrice-hourly interruptions around the clock. As the days went by, the tubes got less, and I was doing much more on my own, including walking the shine off the floor tiles. By the end, I was back to independence and ready to get out of the hospital to continue my recovery, which happened a few hours ago.
Thanks to those who respected my wishes of waiting until I arrived home before visiting. My voice is still rough, but having this singular focus allowed me to really maximize my time in the hospital with the medical staff. I learned a lot about me and about my cancer, in this limited- distraction environment. My road to recovery is far from over, but I like where I'm at. I've now got to help a friend get through this. Thanks for all you've done for me!!
You see, I received a message this morning from my very good friend that his wife was diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous tumor adjacent to her brain - 40, great lady, strong physical shape, loving family, just relocated to be near more family - DAMN! This wasn't part of their plan or on the radar. Cancer doesn't discriminate - it wants everyone. I've got to get beyond the initial punch in the gut, like I'm sure they have experienced this week, and then become a true friend and offer them the same love, care and prayers they offered in my support. But I know firsthand that their resolve will be much stronger than mine and I will be there with them through it. I never set out to speak 'firsthand' about cancer, but if I can help just one person know with a strong support group, good research on your own, a great medical team and through God's mercy, there is hope for ANYTHING. God thinks on a much larger plane that we do, so we can't think so limited when there is always hope.
On a positive note, the theme that I was prepared to center my day around, my 7-day stay in the hospital following my 10-hour surgery was very productive. Despite my 12 tubes/wires, I was up and walking the day after surgery. The medical staff was so supportive and caring, and each day we made progress together until all of the tubes, except my feeding tube, were gone. On day 1, I was in ICU doing almost nothing on my own, relying solely on my doctors and nurses to function. Sleeping was an impossibility with the twice/thrice-hourly interruptions around the clock. As the days went by, the tubes got less, and I was doing much more on my own, including walking the shine off the floor tiles. By the end, I was back to independence and ready to get out of the hospital to continue my recovery, which happened a few hours ago.
Thanks to those who respected my wishes of waiting until I arrived home before visiting. My voice is still rough, but having this singular focus allowed me to really maximize my time in the hospital with the medical staff. I learned a lot about me and about my cancer, in this limited- distraction environment. My road to recovery is far from over, but I like where I'm at. I've now got to help a friend get through this. Thanks for all you've done for me!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)