Labs, CT of chest/abdomen/pelvis, urine, meeting with the Oncologist. We reviewed my latest scans which indicated that the tumors in my chest and spine were stable, but there was some growth in one of the tumors on my pancreas that deserves some attention. My Oncologist met with his team (the doctors all meet on Mondays to discuss their cases) and decided I need a PET Dotatate scan. The radiology technicians inject me with a radioactive substance called a tracer. The tumors have what are called somatostatin receptors. These receptors are found in carcinoid tumors (in my chest) and myelomas (in the bone marrow) and light up when the positive emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) cameras are used. This helps the doctors see any changes in the cells and helps them decide which treatment might be best for me. Right now I am on an oral treatment plan with a chemo drug called Afinitor (Everolimus). This is a drug already approved by the FDA to treat neuroendocrine tumors. If the PET/CT scans show that the tumors light up (meaning they are active), we may need to switch back to a more traditional type of chemotherapy that will be infused through my power port (goodbye hair…again). I did not ask what the infusion drug would be. I should know more in the upcoming week and will post in the next update (which should be coming more frequently).
Sonja and I have spent the last week in Meridian, ID with my brother and sister-n-law. They have a gorgeous home and we had a great time catching up and just relaxing, laughing, and enjoying the company of family. Yesterday, my brother Steve and I, had an interesting conversation about my health and having to start over after your health goes south. It can be a real gut punch, especially after being in great shape prior to cancer. It can really get you down mentally; like all of your hard work was for nothing, and now you have to start over at square one. It is easy to get down mentally when you start training again if you try to go back to the same weights (lifting) or distances and intensity (cycling). The key is to just do something. Everyone who has done something great has had to start somewhere. Whether it is lifting weights, cycling, running, going back to school, starting a new career, etc. You have to start…just do something and build off of that. I have started lifting again to supplement my cycling and I had to use 10 lb weights to do squats. That is a long way from the 350 lb that I used to do, but can you imagine trying to jump back into that routine. I would stall out immediately and probably end up in the ER. My point is, don’t be discouraged. Nobody likes starting over, but every Elon Musk had to start somewhere…and so do I. So grab those ten pound weights and just do something.
Until next time…Just Keep Moving!
KG
Note: For the second year in a row, the organization that hosts my bicycle ride on the Tour De France route has had ton cancel. There seems to be an uptick in the number of Covid cases and they felt like they could not provide a safe ride. Ride Le Loop is a great organization and they have been more than fair with the way they have handled the situation. I sincerely hope I can do this ride with them in the near future. If you are reading, thank you Sarah and Kate! Hopefully next year.
If you donated to my charity, the William Wates Memorial Trust, the money is still going to them.