6 Years

There was never a day when I was "officially" diagnosed with cancer in a  devastating moment like they show on television - whether a commercial for the latest and greatest drugs or the countless medical dramas

It was a slow movement from one thing to the next.  So I have a couple of dates which could qualify as a cancerverssary,

It started with a suspect shadow.  Which was followed up by a couple of scans, with one indicating looks like cancer.  

It was followed by a consult with the surgeon that would  do a biopsy.  He told me half the time the scans are misleading.  Often it was not cancer.  And even if it was cancer, it looked like it was minor.  I would not even need chemotherapy.

When I woke up from the biopsy 6 years ago today, he told me that I needed to find a surgeon immediately.  This was based on just the visualization of what was happening.  The results of the biopsy were still a couple of days away...

 Looked at the CT of chest, abdomen and lungs.  Looks like last scan.   There is so much there that it is difficult to tell.  

Each image slice is 1.25mm and it is difficult to line up exactly.  Some stable, some might have grown, some might have shrunk. 

The one that marked is one of the larger ones.  Close to impinging on my airway.  We were considering radiation for it last year.   

Also have been having a ton of back pain since late summer.  3 months of PT really didn't help.  So had a MRI of spine the same day.  I cannot read those at all 

Still awhile before I get a report or speak to the doctors.  The only thing of a bit of concern is that I had an appointment scheduled with the radiation oncologist when I looked at the portal.  It was added since I had the scan.

I have not had an appointment scheduled with them after any of my MRIs of my spine since I had radiation treatment.  That is at least 4 MRIs I think.  Could be nothing.  And I will try to be patient.  

But....

The New Year and Good-Bye To 2020

2020 is now in the review mirror. I wanted to make sure it was gone in each and every time zone.



Every real life race for me was cancelled, but I kept on training. Trying to do enough to keep in shape so I would not have to start over from the beginning.


1360 Miles biking
205 Running
40 miles swimming
80 days taking chemotherapy pills
Countless days of PT for whatever back issue is happening.


Started 2021 on the treadmill - a mile walk, 1.5 mile "run." It is something, but the last week or so, been congested. It is difficult not to think that the tumors in my lung, particularly the one that is close to impacting my airway (about 6.5 x 6.5 cm) may be causing issues. But that is one of the things about cancer. Way too often the aches, pains or physical impact brings up the thought of "cancer"


Then you do your best to shake it off. Tomorrow I plan to bike. Swimming is going to take a hit this year, because I probably will not be able to swim until I can tether in a backyard pool, health clubs still a bit of a risk for me.


So more immediate goal is beating 2020's running and biking totals.


#itri4acure #embracetheslow