Five months ago, I had surgery to remove a third of my colon.  Soon after that, I started chemotherapy every two weeks.

 

The goal, according to the oncologist, was to ‘improve my quality of life.’

I thought the quality of my life was pretty good, once the tumor in my colon was removed and I could breathe again.

Five months in, I recently had a CT scan.  That CT scan shows that the tumor (which had moved from my colon to my stomach, without my permission) has shrunk.  So, the chemo is working.

Am I still Mr. Positive about having cancer?  Most days.

Am I still going to fight tooth and nail and with whatever I have to beat this damn disease? Absolutely.

I’ve been blessed by the chemo treatments.  I’ve not had many of the side effects that other friends have had with their chemo treatments.

No loss of hair (didn’t really have any to lose, except on my back, which is all still intact.)

No loss of appetite.  I lost 30+ pounds after the surgery, but I am back to my fighting weight, plus (unfortunately, according to my oncologist).

No loss of energy for the most part.  I do get tired for a few days after chemo treatments are done, but that usually goes away.

I have neuropathy, where my mouth and fingers are effected by the cold.  I can’t drink cold fluids for a couple of days after treatment ends.

The only real issues I’ve had are with my white blood cell count (for which I am now taking a medication to help with),  and now I’m having some issues with my platelets.

To be honest, I didn’t know what platelets were before this whole cancer mess began.  I’m learning lots of new things.  Most of which I didn’t want to learn.  But it is what it is.

God has a plan.  So far, His plan seems to be that I stick around for a while longer.  My goal is to be around for at least 50 more years.  That’ll make me 102.  Same age as my grandmother when she passed away.  I think it’s a good goal.

Anyway, thought you’d all like an update.  Cancer is a pain.  I don’t recommend it.  But if you get it, or have it, remain positive.  I believe a lot of the non-issues I’ve had with treatment are due to the fact that I’m remaining positive.

Everyday is not positive.  Believe me.  For quite a while, I wasn’t sure if doing things that were ‘future based’ were worthwhile, because of the diagnosis.  But I’m past that point now.

I’ve got things I want to do.  I’ve got places I want to go.  I’ve got accomplishments I want to accomplish.  I’d like to see all my kids graduate from high school .  I’d love it if I got to see my grandkids graduate from high school as well.

Many of you follow along with me on Facebook.  Know that I appreciate each and every one of you and the love and support you have shown me, my family, my in laws and especially my wife.  It is greatly appreciated.  As my oncologist told me, they are my inner onion.  The one’s closest to me.

You, my friends,  are my outer onion.  I keep you close, and promise not to make you all into onion rings.  That’s all for now.