The End (and the Beginning)

The End: Treatment of my brain tumor is officially complete!  Radiation and the long grind of chemotherapy started over a year ago.  Early last week I had a MRI following my 6th cycle of chemo.  The MRI showed excellent results that the tumor is shrinking.  The past 3 MRIs have shown the same trend of decreasing tumor size.  It was amazing and reassuring to see the comparison of all 4 scans since December. We are really happy, to say the least.  The tumor is still there, it always will be.  The goal was to stabilize it and based on the scans, this is happening.  Personally, I am at peace with carrying this stabilized tumor with me.  The whole experience has brought me a different perspective on life that I want to keep in the front of my mind as life moves on.  This tumor in the back/side of my brain will help me keep that in mind.

Overall it is a relief to be done putting chemicals into my body.  It is wonderful that the uncomfortable-ness of treatment has paid off!  The last year plus has been insane, but I am truly grateful for all of the experiences.  We brought Rosie into the world.  We learned a lot about life and love.  I come out of treatment with a different perspective on life and feeling proud of Kim, Rosie and myself.  As we have said before, the love and support from all of you has been key.

The Beginning:  The treatment has worn my body down.  Right now, my blood counts (platelets, white blood cells) are very low and I am fatigued.  First, I need time for my bone marrow and immune system to recover.  As that occurs over the next few months it will start a new phase: recovery.  I look at this next phase as finding a way to thrive with a tumor.  I want to find a sustainable way to live with a chronic disease. This is the beginning.

I will get MRI scans every 10 weeks for a while, and the doctors will continue to monitor me more or less frequently based on the results.  Separately, I will be working hard to improve my left leg weakness with physical therapy and activities that I love.  I will ramp back up to full-time work, and will generally figure out what post-treatment life is for Kim, Rosie and me.  With all that we have learned over the last year, I know that this life will be a wonderful one.  We love you!

Obliteride!

My cancer treatment is winding down and I should get final confirmation later this week on if I will need any more treatment or if we go into monitoring mode.  I will provide an update on this blog later.

Right now I want to let you all know about Obliteride.  It is a bike ride to raise funds for cancer research at Fred Hutch in Seattle.  Fred Hutch is one of the leading cancer research centers in the world.  Obliteride is cool because they have good sponsors to support the race overhead and 100% of donations go to research.  I'm riding a 25-mile ride with friends.  Please think about supporting our team here:  OBLITERIDE

Additionally we set up an Obliteride Edition of the Be Positive t-shirt.  We have had some requests in the past year for these shirts.  This is a chance to get one, so forward on to any friends or family that say where did you get that cool shirt.  And generally spread this link around as all funds raised go directly to Fred Hutch for cancer research.  Link:  https://www.booster.com/be-positive?
Many thanks to my friend/co-worker Stephanie Pride for organizing the Booster campaign and designing the shirts.