Cancer Free

For the past week friends have been asking, “What’s your status?” I’m cancer free and no more chemotherapy. It’s actually taken me a little longer to write this post than I wanted. I think its mostly because I’ve been happy to get back to the normalcy of life — work, shuttling the girls to practices, chores around the house, etc.

Next week Shannon and I celebrate our birthdays together and I can say that it has been a great year. We beat cancer.

For the past six months I’ve felt the love of a community that has made meals for our family, helped with chores around the house, sat with me during chemo, sent me care packages, listened to my rants when I was down and most importantly just sent me daily words of encouragement.

The only way I can ever think to pay all of you back is to be a resource for others going through similar battles. I’ve said this a many times over the past six months, I played against the JV team and other people I know are facing much tougher fights against this disease. You all have taught me and if I can do anything to make their lives a little easier, I’ll do it. A meal, a phone call, a simple text message that says, “I love you.” You name it. I’m in.

What’s next? A big party? A trip?

For me, going back to every-day life and staying connected to all of you is my reward. I truly have a great life day-in and day-out. The girls have another six weeks of school and I’m looking forward to summer vacation — playing in Tahoe, Camp Sac, visiting family and friends. I’m up for any adventure. If you have something in mind, let me know.

I started back to work on a regular basis and it brings me great pleasure to see so many frolleagues (I made that word up by shipping friends and colleagues). I get tired in the afternoons, so I have to plan for a nap, it really is a habit I could get used to.

The doctor tells me it will take about as long as the chemo treatments (18 weeks) to feel normal again. I hit the gym again this week. While I did my best to walk and stay active during treatment I didn’t get my heart rate up and my body is pretty weak. I’m hoping to be in good enough shape to do my annual flume trail ride over the 4th of July.

Speaking of doctors and treatment. I was extremely fortunate to get incredible care at MD Anderson in Houston. I would encourage anybody with cancer, and is able, to consider pursuing their treatment at a research hospital — Stanford, UCSF, UCLA, MD Anderson, etc. Only 3% of Americans with cancer are on medical trials and that is how we improve treatment for future patients.

As I’ve mentioned a number of times, many trials are not risky “moonshots” but just small improvements and that is how breakthoughs happen. My analogy is that its like upgrading to the latest iPhone (for me that would be a huge jump). In my case they were testing the latest version of a protocol drug and adding another medication to the treatment that might prevent relapse. Why wouldn’t I do that?

How do I get in and what about cost?

Most of these cancer centers have a “become a patient” button on their home pages. There might not be a medical trial but they also provide “routine” care and if thats the case you are in a place with the best medical teams in the world. I think for most people diagnosed with cancer, if there is time, they should get a second opinion. We have a HealthNet PPO and going to MD Anderson was in network, so our healthcare bills will be the same as if I went anywhere else. We didn’t have to pay for anything that was in the “trial” phase — you’re doing them a favor.

For me, Spring has arrived; the fig tree has its leaves; and this is my fight song.