The last time I posted on my blog was over four months ago, a couple weeks after my latest colon cancer surgery. Recovery from the surgery was without incident. Since then, although I’ve tried writing about my cancer journey, the words just wouldn’t come to me. Writer’s block is a real thing.
Starting January 18, 2024 I got the first of what will be seventeen immunotherapy infusions. I’m on a surprisingly strict schedule of getting an infusion every three weeks for a year. This story is about what my oncologist told me about 10 – 15 minutes before I got my fourth Keytryda infusion.
To set the stage. It is March 21, 2024 at about 2:00 in the afternoon, which is like an hour before I get the actual immunotherapy infusion. They do a blood draw through my port. Take a deep breath, hold it and, then when they say to let it out, they stick the needle through my skin into the port. It stings a bit as the needle gets inserted but not enough where saying ouch is appropriate.
The nurse drew four tubes of blood and put a label on each showing me my name and birth date on the label. I’ve noticed that pretty much everything done at my oncologist facility is done very carefully. They double check everything.
It’s been quite the journey. Four cancer surgeries with three different types of cancer in five years. My life has been doctors, CT scans, more blood draws than I can count, six colonoscopy preps in the past 18 months, five iron infusions, several medicine adjustments, follow-ups, genetic tests, add to that normal check-ups and by now why doesn’t everyone feel sorry for me.
During those five years we have taken a few vacations, and my life has not been all about cancer. Life goes on, the trash needs to be taken out, we go to plays and dance performances. So don’t feel too sorry for me. I’ve had no pain.
Being treated for cancer takes time and energy. Every surgery requires a pre-op physical, a multiple day prep, a four to six day stay in the hospital and an extended recovery with a six week, ten pound, lifting restriction. FYI – for several months after the six week lifting restriction you still need to take it easy on lifting stuff.
While my life has not been all about my cancer, dealing with the various aspects of cancer has been a very big part of my life for these past five years.
So back to getting ready for my fourth immunotherapy infusion. I get sent to the waiting room while they analyze my blood. Once that analysis is done they call me into an exam room and take my vitals.
Then my oncologist comes into the room. She is going over my blood work numbers, which looked good. I’m asking about this number and that number. It is not my first rodeo. To be honest, I was feeling like I was a member of my care team, not just a patient.
I’m bringing up every minor thing that may or may not be anything. My oncologist is listening carefully and responding with, true, however, that is not this nor is this that other thing. All of a sudden she stops talking and sort of stares at me.
Then after a couple beats and these are not her exact words but close: She says: I recommend you let us worry about how you are doing. Maybe it is time that you worry less and just move forward and live your best life.
She explained I am being monitored very closely. The immunotherapy will very likely continue to work, thus preventing future cancers and if it doesn’t, they are monitoring me closely and will do what needs to be done. In the meantime, she said by the numbers, by our observation and by your own admission, you are doing good. It is time to move forward from your cancers.
I must have had a puzzled look on my face. As kindly as she could say it but as directly and clearly as she could say it: it was time to move on with my life and leave being a cancer victim in my rear view mirror.
Yes continue my immunotherapy, yes keep being checked for this or that. However, at this point those are just checkups and preventative measures. It is time to move forward.
So it turns out that it is hard to just stop thinking about my cancer. However, I am taking her advice. I’m in moving forward mode.
As near as they can tell I’m cancer free. I am undergoing the most advanced preventative measures known, immunotherapy. I’m having no side effects. I’m feeling really good.
If you are reading this it means I was able to write it. Which means my writer’s block about how I am doing has been overcome.
I’m feeling great. I’ve been walking seven to ten thousand steps most days. I’ve been using the elliptical machine at the Shoreview YMCA a couple times a week. I’ve been listening to audio books and thoroughly enjoying them while I walk or am at the Y.
Life is good. I recently connected with a couple old friends and that has been great. I’m taking several “senior citizen” classes at the U of MN. (Check out OLLI if you want check on taking classes)
Forward is the direction I am headed. Time to close this up. One of my classes is on the best albums ever, which has been fun. My philosophy class is called “ Unpacking Free Will”. It is deep, I’m a bit over my head. Thinking about deep philosophical stuff is good for the brain.
The closer you look the more you see.