Aspiring to Glide

Some of my blood counts are still low so continue waiting for chemo to resume.  The good news is on Monday they remained the same from last Thursday and yesterday the counts went up from Monday.  Plan is to resume with Chemo Treatment #5 next Thursday (and counts seem to be agreeing with that plan).  Last Thursday, Ollie and his mother saw me leaving for what was supposed to be a chemo treatment.  We all exchanged "good mornings" and went on with our days.  The next day, Ollie's mother delivered 2 wonderful drawings that Ollie did at preschool.  He wanted to cheer me up and he certainly did.  One he calls "The Rainbow Tornado" and it is an aggressively colorful ray of light coming at me to attack the cancer and protect me.  Such a thoughtful kid.  :)

All settled in with no chemo to take.  Nichelle and I arrived at cancer center ready for my day of chemo infusion.  Blood drawn prior to admission of chemo showed low platelet count so #5 delayed a week to allow #s to rebound. So until Thursday, here are some pics of the awesomely comfy and clean infusion rooms at Frauenshuh Cancer Center.  Wonderful staff and facilities!

Started Tuesday off with double vision and dropping right eye.  Ct and mri scans of head showed cancer did NOT spread to brain and also ruled out stroke as possible cause.  After further research and testing it was determined that likely cause was immunotherapy treatment overly aggressively attacked right nerve in my face resulting in drooping right side of face, a rare side effect of medication.   To reverse effect, treated with aggressive infusion of steroids and protein antibodies to calm down immune system.  2 daily treatments later, vision and face are back to normal.  3 additional treatments will be done on out-patient basis st infusion center inside my cancer center located at the hospital.  This will affect my overall treatment for my cancer in some way, to be determined before next chemo treatment in 2 weeks. In meantime, glad to be back home with Nichelle and be able to go back to work to focus on other things. View of Minnehah Creak in St Lo...

So far so good.  Mid chemo treatment ct scan shows 50% reduction in lung masses.  Thumbs up on that.  Plan continues with bone strengthener added. Appreciate having Nichelle and Trenten with me on this journey and, of course, all you.  Your positive thoughts and prayers are much appreciated!

Been just a little over 1 week since latest treatment and each gets tougher...as my doctor informed ahead of time.  Super tire, in fact slept most of the weekend and weekdays get about 12 hours of sleep a day.  Get exhausted very easily so anything is a chore to do.  Outside of my work I still try to maintain the house so Nichelle can focus on work and own well-being. Good news is we have finalized our trip to Seattle to attend Trenten's graduation from college.  Just under 3 months away now and will be bringing Nichelle's grandmother with.  This is a nice goal for us to strive for as we continue follow our motto through this whole mess, "One day, one moment at a time..." Other than that, here is my new favorite hat that expresses my true feelings.  :)

Got to spend the whole Valentines Day with my awesome, caring, loving wife while I received Chemo treatment #2 at Frauenshah Cancer Center .  I don't know what I would do without her and Trenten! Dealing with some side effects again but will work through them as I did with first treatment. Biggest difference is now going through with this without hair.  Honestly hit me harder than I thought.  I realize it is superficial and will grow back after in remission and treatments are done but now it is another big reminder of everything.  We have to constantly go back to our motto, "One day, one moment, at a time..." A few pics from our Valentine Day chemo room: Nichelle and I as treatment #2 begins 💕   Nichelle holding her work meetings from chemo room (always busy working 😀) Never to be shown again, a pic of me without hair, only for you special people checking in on us here. Back with the cap on!  🤠 Increased side effects with #2: nausea, tiredness, neuropath...

Ups and downs for the 2 weeks since first chemo treatment but nothing meds and rest haven't taken care of.  Overall, main thing needed has been extra rest, several small meals a day and texts/calls/messages from friends.  Appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.  Chemo treatment #2 is Valentines Day, a different way for Nichelle and I to spend the day together.  :)

Had first chemo treatment Friday.  This is 1 of 6 total proposed treatments with 3 weeks between each treatment.  So thankful for Nichelle being at my side the entire day while receiving the treatment and the following days while dealing with side effects.  Proud of Trenten as he pushes forward with his education and still keeps tabs on his old man.  

So Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) results came back for primary source of cancer and diagnosis is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).  Not sure likely cause of this as have been a non-smoker all my life but goes to show life can be dangerous, no matter precautions taken. 2 weeks of radiation was just completed on Friday and cancerous lesion in pelvic bone seems much better.  Reduced pain in hips and legs where nerves were going through lesion.   Chemo therapy and immunotherapy begins this Friday with 4-6 treatments spaced 3 weeks apart. With this treatment a bone strengthener will be added also to help build back the break in the pelvic bone caused by the lesion and strengthener will also facilitate the regrowth of (hopefully) healthy bone where the lesion was. The chemo therapy/immunotherapy is aimed at killing off: 2 cancerous spots found on the tissue of my lungs cancerous cells in my right arm lymph node and any lingering cancerous cells traveling through my bo...

Setup 2 weeks (M-F) worth of radiation treatments (10 treatments total) Doctor is hopeful pain will reduce after 2 or 3 treatments (could be 2-4 weeks though) Kill cancer cells in pelvic bone lesion and hopefully healthy bone will grow back in Still waiting on results from NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) testing to finalize chemo formula

Right arm lymph node biopsy performed on Monday produced qualifying samples for NGS testing (Next-Generation Sequencing) to hopefully determine source of cancer.  Testing should take about a week to complete.  Based on results, chemo treatment plans will be finalized (weather known source of cancer or unknown). 

 This week: Inside of stomach, small intestines and esophagus checked and no tumors found Further blood tests done and results are all normal (like all other blood tests to date) Radiation scheduled for end of December Biopsy on right arm lymph node scheduled for Monday morning Oncologist is putting together proposed chemo therapy formula (could change based on further test results) Have regained about 5 pounds for the 15 pounds lost the past few months (this is good news) Handicap permit received Search for source of primary cancer continues... Where I am at: It has been great to begin training for my new position with UnitedHealth Group as a manager of software engineering.  It has been over 3 months since being a part of a work team and am anxious to get my team together and begin making positive changes for the health of those serving in the military.  This is truly my dream job and am so excited to get going full speed! Meanwhile, tt has been tough but necessary to p...

 Let the games begin... Since last post, I have had a PET scan and urology appointment.  Nothing additional found except can rule out bladder cancer and prostate cancer.  Search for source cancer continues... Next steps this week: Radiation to begin on lesion in pelvic bone (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bone-cancer/treating/radiation.html) Ear/Nose/Throat  (ENT) appointment to check for stomach or throat cancer Biopsy for swollen lymph node in right arm pit to confirm cancer More blood tests Meet with oncologist to review additional steps Where I am at: Down and frustrated over not being able to find the source cancer. Walking out after urology appointment was definitely my lowest point emotionally.  So tired of all the tests and being poked & prodded; realize all needed to determine source but so tiring and invasive.  Don't know what I would do without Nichelle being with me to keep me looking forward and up.  Also, talks and texts from friends h...

 Living in new reality... As we continue with tests, as well as internal speculation between Nichelle and I, it hit me yesterday that reality is setting in...living in the reality where the term "cancer" is a norm.  It is just a given.  Went to Nuclear Medicine Dept (yes, that is the name and just learned about it a few weeks ago) yesterday for my PET Scan and they now recognize me, almost expecting them to shout, "BRYCE!!!" when I walk in (80's Cheers/Norm reference).  What hit me yesterday was that now in discussions about tests, the terminology is no longer "if cancer" but rather "your cancer."  Tough to hear but it is a reality now along with "stage 4" added in for added scare.  What is inspiring to hear are stories acquittances share of people they know (present tense) that have (present tense, again) Stage 4 and have had it for 12 years (huge thanks to my barber, Spencer, for lifting my spirits the other day with this!); have ...

 Details...to date (12/4) Symptoms have stabilized and most pain controlled so doctor wants to find source of cancer to better target with treatment.  If unable to determine source cancer then treatment will be done with certain formula of chemo. Tests to date: Multiple MRIs (lower back/pelvic/neck) Bone Scan CT/CAT Scan Many blood tests (all bloods tests come back as normal results) Biopsy of pelvic bone (several 18 gauge samples removed on Black Friday) Findings determined on 12/2: Lesion in pelvic bone: found to be metastatic cancer and to be treated with radiation at appropriate time Swollen lymph node in right armpit: found to be metastatic cancer and treatment to be determined Cancer cells found in bone from biopsy were found to be dying off so could not determine source but still determined to be cancer. Source cancer: UNKNOWN Summary: Since metastasized in more than 1 area of body, advanced cancer-likely Stage 4.  Port for chemo and any other IV or blood samples w...

  Day One ( December 2nd, 2021) ~ Diagnosis: Metastatic Carcinoma Cancer Better-half and I met with doctor and I was diagnosed with Metastatic Carcinoma cancer.   More testing next week to determine source of metastasis' so categorized as "Unknown" for now.  Per Doc, likely advanced and likely Stage 4 but further testing will confirm.   Symptoms are controlled so this allows time (maybe a couple of weeks) to test further.   Chemo will be part of treatment and radiation also. December 14th is next big date to meet with doctor to review additional test results and have a treatment plan proposed. What does "Metastatic" mean?  cancer.org   Overall day's feeling: Continue to literally limp along but so thankful for my much better-half for her being next to me every step of the way, reminding me of better days ahead and putting up with me.  Also appreciate my friends for listening and just being there.  Hanging in there and continue to dream and as...