1st.... 2nd.....3rd.....

Well I had my 1st Port-a-Cath installed on Monday this week. I  have been hoping for some time now to have my PICC line removed as it is quite annoying. I also got rashes and itchiness due to a reaction to the dressing used to cover it, nothing seemed to really help it. Having a port-a-cath will also provide me with so much  more independence. With the PICC line I couldn't have a full bath and even had to have Michelle help me to cover it when showering.  It will also mean that I will be able to go swimming too! Our pool opening is set for early May so I will be ready to go by them. For those of you wondering, a port-a-cath is an implanted device which allows for easy access to the veins:  for taking blood samples, giving intravenous fluids and medications. Although I wish that I didn't need either, I am happy that this option was made available to me. This procedure provided short term pain for long term gain!

This week also means my 2nd biopsy in as many months. You might recall that I recently had a biopsy done. Newer samples are now needed for the study that I am on. Although a fairly non invasive procedure, it still means going under sedation and can have some complications. 

For the record, I have been in three different Toronto hospitals all in one week! Toronto Western on Monday, Princess Margaret on Thursday and Toronto General on Friday. Amazing really. We are so fortunate and lucky to have a world class medical system right here in Ontario. That is why I am supporting both Southlake Hospital through Richard's Roadrunners Virtual Challenge and have supported Princess Margaret Hospital through the purchase of a few of their Home lottery tickets. Who knows, I may be the lucky winner of both excellent care and treatment as well as a win a new home, car or cottage!

Well believe it or not this week already marks my 3rd week of treatment in the new trial. So far so good!  I had to spend another overnight stay in the hospital this week and will hopefully only need to do that one more time. I am pleased to say that I seem to be tolerating the treatment quite well with no immediate side effects to report. Another CT scan is now booked for the end of April. This is already starting to create some SCANxiety.

1st...2nd...3rd, sometimes it feels like it's three steps forward, and two steps back, but I hope through this journey, that I will at least be a step ahead of where I used to be. 

Richard

Negative/Positive

Negative- Well my biopsy results finally arrived this week after some delay. After double checking the tumour samples gathered from my liver biopsy, the tumours continue to grow, and my remaining treatment options are limited. More disappointing news for me and my family. Disappointment is something that we as a family are starting to get used to. We will however, as a family, always remain hopeful and optimistic-- but I must admit that our resilience level is starting to take a big hit. I keep asking myself, why is my body doing this to me? Why can I not catch a break? I must officially and publicly declare that I hate cancer!

Positive- One thing that is for sure is that I will not let cancer take away my hope, our hope. We will continue to press on despite these limited options, despite the fact that cancer is winning at the moment. I really want to be here to experience all of the life moments with my family including future weddings, grandchildren etc. There is still so much that I want to be apart of in the lives of my children. Michelle and I have so much more  that we want to do as a couple. If  mental perspective, determination and attitude play a role, I'm drawing new battle lines.  I will not give up!

A new journey/path begins....

My next journey centres around a new drug trial at the Princess Margaret Hospital. I am in the process (again) of having final tests completed to confirm my eligibility in a existing phase one trial. If confirmed, and we have our fingers crossed, treatments would begin next week. It  is unchartered waters, but what else can we do?  I'm not liking the alternative - doing nothing.  The ball is rolling and gaining momentum. Action at least is something, right?  I've never been in a clinical trial before, so at least this will also be interesting.

This new path involves overnight stays at the hospital and intense monitoring and vigilance to watch out for any possible side effects that may occur due to the treatment.  We shall see how this all plays out. My hope is that I will once again, have minimal side effects, as was the case for my past three treatment options and that this new treatment will slow or stop my cancer in its tracks. 

Isn't there a saying something about when one window closes, another one opens?  Well here's hoping that with this negative news, we are balanced off with some positive opportunity and the trial "opens a window" for us.

So we move on to our Plan "E", and as I see it, there's many more letters where that one came from and we'll just keep cycling onward!

Richard

B is for Biopsy

This week brought me back to Southlake Hospital in Newmarket for a liver biopsy.  Although the hospital was fairly quiet, I was still quite surprised to see fairly large numbers of people in the day surgery waiting room. The entire procedure from start to finish was about four and a half hours, although the procedure itself seemed to take less than half an hour. Surprisingly quick and painless, mind you I might have been sedated, so it could have taken a little longer than it seemed. I have to take it easy for a few days (no easy for the Energizer Bunny, but I am trying!).

This biopsy was scheduled by my oncologist to get a better understanding of what is happening with my liver.  This biopsy will hopefully provide us with some much needed new information about the tumours in my liver. Those three stubborn tumors that seem to be resisting all forms of treatment and continue to grow. How dare they! They may be stubborn, but I'm just as stubborn as they are!  Hopefully the results will show some biomarkers and results, that will open up some clinical trials options.   

In the meantime, life goes on! I'm going to try and take it easy for the next week and heal up.  This weekend brings both  Valentines Day and Family Day! Both centre around love and taking a little time to pause and recognize those we love, especially our families. I am so fortunate to have a wife and family that love me. I love them more than words can say. They are my life! I don't know what I would do without them. Michelle is my sweet valentine. She provides me with unconditional love and support. She masks her concern and worry very well, but she has had a few sleepless nights, keeping watch over me as I recover.  We are looking forward to getting some rest this weekend!  Our three kids are the best thing that ever happened to us. We are so proud of each of our children.  I hope they know it.  Family Day gives us that special reason to let them know, and to pause and show how happy I am to have them and our family. This weekend we celebrate love. We celebrate family. 

B is for biopsy, but it is also the "B" in Be my Valentine.

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend. Enjoy your family and spread some love!

Richard