Update May 1st 2010

I'm not going to be writing about my trip in this update, for reasons that will be clear as you read on. If I feel better I will try to write about it later on...

I had an MRI of my brain because of the severe pain I was having (headaches, trouble seeing, etc.) and it was discovered that I have several small tumors outside my brain, one of which is behind my left eye. I will have to have surgery to remove them. This coming Monday I have an appointment with an eye surgeon; and as I know more I will let you all know.

That's it for now. More to follow.

Update April 30 2010

I have a lot to say, both about my recent trip and what's happening now, but I may not be able to get it all in because I'm not feeling all that well at the moment. I will try...

As far as what's happening now, right before I went away I began to experience severe pain in my right shoulder and arm. This is what happened to me before I went to San Francisco. I was in pain the entire trip, unfortunately, which did not preclude me from having a great time. The pain, as it has done before, traveled through my neck and is now centered in my left shoulder and arm. I have also been getting headaches and experiencing trouble seeing; things like a lack of depth perception, double vision, etc. Yesterday I had a brain MRI to see what is going on. As soon as I know I will post it here. I'm going to stop now, I'll try to write more later.

Update from the 42nd Floor April 1th 2010

I'm sitting at my friends Eileen & Ira's kitchen table, which is on the 42nd floor of an apartment building on Manhattan's West Side. I can see Central Park and Lincoln Center and the Hudson River and the Jersey Palisades. The view is identical from the bedroom where they are letting me stay for the next few days. It was hard to sleep last night because I felt the pulse of the city below me, both a physical and audio vibration. I'm Home. I'm in New York.

The flight out of Burbank couldn't have been better; we actually got in a half hour early. Once I got in I went directly to my friend's apartment. I was quite tired so I slept for about a hour before heading down to 14th St and Ave. A to my cousin Alison's house for dinner with her, her husband Mario, my Aunt Vicki, and our mutual friend Melissa. The dinner and conversation was wonderful. It was hard to comprehend that I was actually here...

Today I am supposed to go to the eye doctor and then meet my Aunt Vicki for dinner and the theater later tonight... More to follow!

Some amazing news from the oncologist Update April 16 2010

I went to see Dr. Ed Wollin at Cedars, who is the Neuroendocrine tumor specialist who recommended I go down to Houston. After reviewing the test results from the first week in March (just before my second treatment), here's what he had to say:

Apparently there is no area in my body where the disease shows any progression from December 2009 t0 March 2010. In other words, based on these tests evaluating my progress from the end of the first treatment, but BEFORE the second treatment. the cancer in my body shows signs of either stability or actual shrinkage. It is possible that the tumors in my soft tissue (liver, etc.) may in fact never shrink, but as they are not progressing it may be they are dead or dormant. He said this is the first positive indication that any sort of treatment is working.

I am still digesting this news. It's quite stunning, but it appears I may actually beat this goddamn thing. As you all know, there have been times in the recent past where I wasn't sure if I would make it past six months, so to get this kind of news is both quite a different medical experience and a real life changer in terms of looking at how I'm setting up for a future which now is possible in reality.

I'll have more to say but I'm still completely stunned and processing this wonderful news!

East Coast Dream Trip April 12 2010

I'm going on my dream trip to New York and Boston next week! This goes to show just how much better I feel this time around after my treatment in Houston... it will be five weeks this Friday since I had my high dose of Iridium, and next Sunday April 18 I will be off for ten days to NYC and Boston. I am so excited!!

I will be attending a Red Sox game while in Boston... Sunday 4/25 vs. Baltimore. If all goes well I'll be sitting in the Right Field Roof section of Fenway Park. That alone has been a dream of mine, but throw in a week in NYC - well, it can't really get any better.

I want to thank my amazing family and friends for making this possible, particularly Eileen & Ira who are allowing me to stay with them in NYC. Thanks to my wonderful Aunt Vicki I will be attending some Broadway shows while I am there :) I will also hopefully be able to indulge my other favorite sports team obsession while in NYC and attend a Liverpool F.C. game at the 11th St. Bar (L.F.C. fan headquarters in the U.S.A.). I think my schedule will allow for me to do this - wow, Red Sox and L.F.C. in the same trip! Next stop: Anfield, Liverpool :)

Update March 14 2010

I'm in a good, positive place today. The sun is shining, I'm pretty much pain free (other then my left knee but I can deal with that), and all seems right with the world :)

Had a wonderful breakfast yesterday with a couple of old friends and workmates. Always nice to talk about sales processes and gossip with you guys :) Far better then talking about being sick.

Nothing much else to say... just hope this peaceful, contented feeling lasts a while longer.

Post Houston Update March 9th 2010

Dad and I got back from a week in Houston last night. Overall this trip was much better then the first time, primarily because I wasn't as sick as I was the first time. I'll cut to the chase and give you the update and prognosis:

The doctor believes the treatment is having an effect on the cancer. The overall impression is mixed. There are some places where the cancer is less severe, such as the primary tumor in my presacral area, which has shrunk significantly. There are some places where the cancer is stable, and there are some places where there is new cancer. There are more places where the cancer is less severe and stable then there are places where there is new cancer. My previous prognosis was three to six months, without treatment. My current prognosis is 18 to 24 months, and will probably increase since I had a second treatment. So overall, things are going in the right direction.

I am not jumping for joy. I am far more stoic and sober about this then I am jubilant. This is a very serious aggressive disease which is not going to go away quietly. Two years is far better then six months, but it's still two years, not the so called 'rest of my life' whatever that means (although there is a major part of me who thinks the whole prognosis thing is full of shit; I didn't believe it when they told me I had six months and I don't believe it when they tell me I have two years. I think I'll be around a lot longer. But what do I know?) What I do know is that I intend to spend the rest of my life making a difference, being around people I love and who love me, and having a fucking good time for as long as I can. In short, the same as I was before I went to Houston :)

If you have any questions about the above, please send me an e-mail and I'll get back to you some time before Columbus Day :)