When I started down this journey, nearly every doctor I met said something to the effect that I had two months treatment, high cure rate, I'd be fine. Only one - the radiologist (I'm not sure what to call him) basically said something along the lines of "Hah hah...uh. no. More like three years". Damn … Continue reading SitRep Year 3: Can I wrap this up? →

It's been nearly two years since I finished treatment. I had a scan this month, which was clear. Again. And I'm gearing up to cut loose a slew of my medical entourage. Partly because they provide nearly no value, and partly, thanks to my insurance, I pay more out of pocket. So, I'll be cutting … Continue reading Two years on. SitRep… →

I'm a big fan of the "Deadliest Catch" series on Discovery. Catching crab in the Bearing Straits is a crazy way to make a living, and there are some compelling characters on the show. Sometimes, they offer some really good lines. For instance, at one point the late Capt. Phil is stuck in the harbor … Continue reading Epilogue: How does this story end? →

"Hey! Look at you! You made it!. Got through all your treatments, didn't end up having to go to the hospital. You're looking good!" So said one of my doctors on a follow up visit a few months after therapy. I had no idea that it was special not having to check into the hospital … Continue reading Tips for surviving cancer therapy →

Months after this ordeal I'm still getting used to the "New Me". Like I said on the last post, every few weeks or so something starts working or working better. I still can't taste anywhere near like before. For instance, I can't taste sweet. But to some extent, I can taste salty, bitter, savory. Earlier, … Continue reading Where am I today? →

After I started eating again, things moved pretty quickly. It seemed like only three weeks or so and all of a sudden I noticed the pain was gone. There was probably a good reason for this, which I'll get into in a bit. After a month I went back to work. Probably too early since … Continue reading Climbing the hill →

When I started treatment, my radiation doctor said I'd have a three week "honeymoon" where I'd feel OK, like nothing was going on. But I'd pay for that in spades when treatment finished. He wasn't kidding. I started right before the July 4th holiday, but the radiation folks didn't have what they needed before the … Continue reading Weeks 7-10. Devastation. →

I really meant to post more during this sad saga, but somewhere after the first month fatigue, apathy, pain, and a complete loss of my sense of humor happened. My days consisted of getting up and going to treatment. Each week consisted of daily radiation, one day of chemo and two doctor visits somewhere in … Continue reading Weeks 5-7. The Slog. →

When I started treatment, nearly every doc said that week three, maybe four, was things would start going pear shaped. The wheels of the car would wobble and fall off. Nice analogy saying basically, the hardcore pain was due. Honestly I felt lucky and figured it would happen more towards the 4th week side. In … Continue reading Weeks 3&4; The wheels fall off and the dragon sings →

I heard a term that resonated with me awhile back; Infantile Omnipotence. It basically means, since something isn't happening to me or anyone I know, then it won't happen to me. I don't have that. I know I'm in for a difficult journey, but I'm getting a tough time wrapping my head around logistics and … Continue reading Week 2; The wheels on the taste buds don’t go round. They wobble and fall off. →