Light at the End of the Tunnel!

Last Thursday, I saw Dr. Fisher for my regular, monthly appointment. As expected, the chemo has started to build up in my system and my neuropathy has become worse—my arms tingle when they are stretched out, my fingers are fairly numb, the skin on my feet has become very dry, and (although it’s hard to believe) I’m getting fairly fatigued. So, even though I only have two cycles of chemo left, the doctor made the decision to reduce my chemo pills by 1, lowering the dosage to 6 per day. This week I am taking the pills, next week I am off and the following week will be my last week of chemo.

I can’t believe I have come this far! When I received the cancer diagnosis and started accepting what chemo was going to mean to my life, I never thought that an end would be in sight. Although the symptoms are slightly worse, just knowing that I’m nearing the end makes it not seem so difficult.

I asked Dr. Fisher about when they will be able to declare that I am cured. He hesitated with that question. He told me that as the years go by the likelihood of recurrence drops. I asked him about the 5 year marker (which is what everyone talks about in the cancer world). He said that with colon cancer, once you pass 5 years, the likelihood of recurrence is less than 5%. Sounds like pretty good odds to me! But, he reminded me that we are a long way from 5 years out.

By the way, I was wrong about the colonoscopy – I don’t have to have another one for a year. Although I would have been fine with having one in 2 months, since it is NO BIG DEAL!

My next appointment with Dr. Fisher is not for two months. In the meantime, once I finish chemo I will have a CT scan and more blood work to determine if I have gone into remission. Once the labs and CT scan come back showing all’s clear (which I fully expect them to show), then I will be able to remove my port and start the next 40 years of my life.

I can’t wait!

And now, a colonoscopy

I have a confession to make. I have been a little disingenuous.

Since getting colon cancer I have been a tireless advocate for people taking time to get that colonoscopy that they have been putting off. Colon cancer is one of the most avoidable cancers—and it can be detected early with a simple colonoscopy.

So, how have I been disingenuous?

Until last week, I’d never had one.

You see, when I was in Iowa, they did a flexible sigmoidoscopy and came across the tumor and scheduled immediate surgery. At home, Dr. Fisher had ordered CT scans for me, but had told me that we wouldn't be doing a full colonoscopy until mid-way through my chemo cycle. Which brings me to last week...

Like many of you, I had heard horror stories about the preparation for the colonoscopy, so I was dreading the procedure. After enduring the endless medications, surgeries and chemo I’ve gone through this year, I was mostly upset about the prospect of drinking gallons of Go-lytely.

Do I have news for you—they now have an alternative to Go-lytely! Don’t get me wrong, they don’t hand it out very easily, but through the persistence that you all know me for, I was able to secure it. I took 32 pills in a 12 hour period, but I avoided the drink!

Between the pills and an incredible GI specialist, I had a very, very easy colonoscopy. I couldn't believe how simple the whole thing was. When I walked out of the colonoscopy, my first comment to Pat was – "Well, that was no big deal."

And here’s the even better news--the doctor found only one polyp which he removed and tested for cancer. It was negative!

As I'm sure you are all aware – there are many, many people out there who have not had their colonoscopies done, although they turned 50 or have a history of colon issues in their families. While I've been telling anyone who will listen to me to get one (including a poor local rabbi who only called me to see how I was doing), I’d always felt a little awkward telling people that a colonoscopy was no big deal. But I’m telling you today, that IT IS NO BIG DEAL!

My next colonoscopy will be after I complete chemo—in just over a month! And for those of you who have not been tested and should be (you know who you are), please call your doctor today and set up an appointment to get it done.

Trust me – it's much better than chemo.

Prime Time!

Very exciting news coming out of our house last week! The girls and I were taped for a Channel 7 news segment that airs this coming Friday. Here’s the long version of the story:

• Several weeks ago, the guys over at the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) were talking about me and other folks that they know who either are currently battling cancer or have faced it previously.

• They were struck by how many people have cancer and how great the need was to cure it. So, they decided to tackle this problem head on.

• They came up with a tremendous idea – establish a movement, centered on Father’s Day, in an attempt to inspire people to give to cancer research instead of buying ‘just another’ Father’s Day present.

• The Father’s Day Fund encourages people to donate to cancer research in their father’s name in lieu of a gift.

• It’s simple, but powerful.

• So – these guys created an amazing website, www.fathersdayfund.org. They do not even touch the money that is given, they just inspire people to give and link them to top notch cancer research institutions.

• Channel 7 was excited about their efforts and will be running a segment about it next Friday – featuring the guys from PMSA, me and the girls. We’re pretty thrilled!

As for my dad, Pat's dad and Pat – this Father’s Day they will be receiving a lovely certificate indicating that funds have been donated in their honor to Stanford Cancer Center. It won’t be a tie, but perhaps the funds that we give will bring us a little closer to the eradication of cancer. I can’t think of a better present.

Happy Father’s Day to all!