Last week Chelsea, Josh, and baby Rose moved out of our basement apartment so Chelsea could start her medical residency in Utah. The week before they moved, Jennifer and I cared for Rose 24/7 while Chelsea and Josh went on a well-earned vacation cruise. We loved having our granddaughter with us, but also realized why people in their 50's are not supposed to be new parents. The house seems much quieter with them gone.
Spencer quickly seized the opportunity presented by having the apartment vacant, and moved all his stuff downstairs. He says he's going to be buying his own food and try living on his own while finishing college. I think it's a great transition for him.
Meanwhile, this past weekend I hosted at our Lake Anna vacation home 12 people from the Potomac Pathways, the intensive outreach program where Spencer works as a peer mentor. I spent all day Saturday on driving the boat while the young adults were tubing, wake boarding, water skiing and tanning. I was sunburned and exhausted by the end of the day, and well worth it. It's a pleasure to be able to help struggling people have good, safe, wholesome fun.
The last few days of May, we hosted my older brother, his oldest daughter, and her 12 month old son, as they visited the area. I don't get that much time with my brother, as he lives over 2000 miles away, s it was nice to spend some time together. We visited a couple of the Smithsonian museums. (I'm embarrassed to say that the only time I go there is when out-of-town guests are visiting.)
When I see other people, they comment that I am looking well. My hair has grown back (although it's much curlier), I've gained weight since my last round of chemo, and I appear to have decent energy. In short, to others I don't look like their preconceived notion of how someone who has stage 4 metastatic cancer should look. I hope to keep it that way. Nevertheless, I remain cognizant of my tenuous physical condition, and am mindful and grateful for each day.
Each Monday, I receive an email from BCAN listing all of the recent questions posted on the discussion boards at inspire.com. I review the dozens of questions posted in the past week, and add my thoughts when I have something to contribute. Recently, a 39 year old woman whose father is dealing with bladder cancer asked:
I was just wondering of anyone else disagreed with the treatment choice
of their doctor? If so do we have a say or do we have to go
elsewhere???
I replied:
I am a strong advocate of the patient taking charge of his or her care. I
read a lot of the medical literature (my background in patent law has
helped my understanding), wrote down my questions in advance, frequently
recorded my interactions with my doctor so I could listen to them again
later, and explored all of my alternatives. I consulted with and
continue to be followed by doctors from Hopkins, NIH, GW, Fox Chase, and
U. Chicago. I've also consulted by phone and email with doctors from U.
Mass. and M.D. Anderson. I feel fortunate to continue to be followed by
some of the best BC doctors out there.
I've been Stage IV for more than 2 years, and there are no established
therapy regimen -- instead, each patient is treated based upon how the
cancer appears to be acting. Having such a team of doctors requires a
willingness to take responsibility for your own care, because the
doctors don't always agree with each other, and are quick to acknowledge
their biases and limitations. For example, when my BC spread to nodes
in neck, I had 3 of my doctors recommending salvage chemo, and two
telling me it wouldn't do any good. I've appreciated the frank advice
from each, and feel that I am managing my care with as much information
as possible.
Several of my doctors have told me that I am a highly unusual patient
because I read the literature, carefully explore the alternatives and
risks, but am not grasping at straws or wishful thinking. My docs tell
me that most patients just want their docs to announce the course of
treatment and do it. As most readers of these boards know, however,
depending upon the staging and co-morbidities of each patient, there are
a lot of different BC treatment options from which to choose. In my
opinion, it is better to know the options ahead of time instead of
having later regrets.
I know the odds are against my long-term survival, have updated my will
and advanced medical directive, and have found peace and joy in living
one day at a time. In the meantime, I blog about my life with mets BC at
http://kwbcancerblog.blogspot.com/. All are welcome to see if there is anything that might be of use to you.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Mets Days 768 - Little progress on a cure
Today I met with my GW oncologist, Dr. Jeanny Aragon-Ching. I go in every couple of months for lab work, have my port flushed, and see what's new in the world of metastatic bladder cancer. I asked her if there was any recent news or developments, and in particular whether there were any clinical trials that might be applicable to me. I also asked about a recent MD Anderson study (news article here) that reported that some bladder cancer mutations resembled breast cancer mutations.
Dr. Aragon-Ching was aware of the MD Anderson paper, and said that even more recent papers had dampened any short-term hope that metastatic bladder cancer might be as amenable to treatment as some breast cancers have been. She said that the ability to identify the sub-type of bladder cancer was still preliminary, and there were no sufficiently powered studies as of yet showing that particular sub-types of bladder cancer responded better or worse than other sub-types. She added that there was still so much research to do, and not enough funding to do it.
We also spoke about clinical trials. She said that the most promising research was with regard to immunotherapy and inhibitors called PD-1 and PD-L1. The current clinical trials require the patients to have measurable metastases larger than 1.5 cm in size -- something I don't have. She said that she hoped that I would not get to the point of being eligible for such a trial, because such a metastasis would mean that my cancer is growing and spreading. I agreed that it was far better for my mets to be stable and not spread from my lymphatic system into my organs.
We also talked about my slow walk back to pre-ddMVAC chemo baseline. She suggested that I slowly ramp up some type of an exercise regimen to get back some of the stamina that was lost during last fall's chemo and recovery. I hope to do more racquet sports such as tennis or racquetball with my kids.
For now, I remain on the watchful waiting cycle. My next scan is in mid-July at NIH. Until then, the message remains to be grateful for each day, sharing love and laughter with family and friends.
Dr. Aragon-Ching was aware of the MD Anderson paper, and said that even more recent papers had dampened any short-term hope that metastatic bladder cancer might be as amenable to treatment as some breast cancers have been. She said that the ability to identify the sub-type of bladder cancer was still preliminary, and there were no sufficiently powered studies as of yet showing that particular sub-types of bladder cancer responded better or worse than other sub-types. She added that there was still so much research to do, and not enough funding to do it.
We also spoke about clinical trials. She said that the most promising research was with regard to immunotherapy and inhibitors called PD-1 and PD-L1. The current clinical trials require the patients to have measurable metastases larger than 1.5 cm in size -- something I don't have. She said that she hoped that I would not get to the point of being eligible for such a trial, because such a metastasis would mean that my cancer is growing and spreading. I agreed that it was far better for my mets to be stable and not spread from my lymphatic system into my organs.
We also talked about my slow walk back to pre-ddMVAC chemo baseline. She suggested that I slowly ramp up some type of an exercise regimen to get back some of the stamina that was lost during last fall's chemo and recovery. I hope to do more racquet sports such as tennis or racquetball with my kids.
For now, I remain on the watchful waiting cycle. My next scan is in mid-July at NIH. Until then, the message remains to be grateful for each day, sharing love and laughter with family and friends.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Mets Day 766: Milestones and transitions
This has been a notable week for my family.
Chelsea graduates from medical school tomorrow. This week we have attended a number of events marking her achievements: her induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, comprised of individuals who have been recognized for practicing patient-centered medical care by modeling the qualities of integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect and empathy; the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, the professional medical organization that recognizes and advocates for excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the profession of medicine; and GW's Kane-King-Dodek Obstetrical Honor Society. Tomorrow she will officially become an MD.
Chelsea and Josh have started packing up their stuff for their move to Utah. A moving pod will be delivered here midweek, and they have a couple of days to fill it up. They have a house under contract in Ogden and are scheduled to close (by mail) on Thursday. Next weekend, they will go on a cruise while we babysit Rose. In early June, they will move to Utah (Chelsea and Rose will fly, Josh will drive). Our house will seem much quieter.
Spencer also graduates this weekend with his Associates in Science degree from NVCC. He will continue his studies this fall at George Mason University. He's not yet sure of his major, although it likely will be in one of the hard sciences. It's great to see him continue his educational progress.
Kirsten recently returned home after completing her first year at CNU. After recharging her battery after finals, she decided she wanted to be a waitress this summer, and got a job at Paolo's Ristarante in Reston.
Last night, Garrett received his Eagle award in Boy Scouts. He's the first Eagle scout in our family. It was a wonderful Court of Honor, and a great way to recognize him for his years of scouting.
We were joined in our celebrations by my mom and stepdad, as well as Josh's brother, Micah, who has been attending some training in the DC area this month. These milestones bring joy and rejoicing in my posterity.
Meanwhile, this month marks two years since my radical cystectomy and neobladder, and the bad news that 12 of my lymph nodes were positive for metastatic cancer. It's been a long slog since then, and I'm grateful for each day that I can spend with my family.
Today I sold my Harley Davidson motorcycle. I had ridden it less than 100 miles in the past two years, and over the winter I realized that my riding days were over. I decided to pass it along to someone else who would appreciate it more. I enjoyed it for a season, then the season passed.
Chelsea graduates from medical school tomorrow. This week we have attended a number of events marking her achievements: her induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, comprised of individuals who have been recognized for practicing patient-centered medical care by modeling the qualities of integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect and empathy; the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, the professional medical organization that recognizes and advocates for excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the profession of medicine; and GW's Kane-King-Dodek Obstetrical Honor Society. Tomorrow she will officially become an MD.
Chelsea and Josh have started packing up their stuff for their move to Utah. A moving pod will be delivered here midweek, and they have a couple of days to fill it up. They have a house under contract in Ogden and are scheduled to close (by mail) on Thursday. Next weekend, they will go on a cruise while we babysit Rose. In early June, they will move to Utah (Chelsea and Rose will fly, Josh will drive). Our house will seem much quieter.
Spencer also graduates this weekend with his Associates in Science degree from NVCC. He will continue his studies this fall at George Mason University. He's not yet sure of his major, although it likely will be in one of the hard sciences. It's great to see him continue his educational progress.
Kirsten recently returned home after completing her first year at CNU. After recharging her battery after finals, she decided she wanted to be a waitress this summer, and got a job at Paolo's Ristarante in Reston.
Last night, Garrett received his Eagle award in Boy Scouts. He's the first Eagle scout in our family. It was a wonderful Court of Honor, and a great way to recognize him for his years of scouting.
We were joined in our celebrations by my mom and stepdad, as well as Josh's brother, Micah, who has been attending some training in the DC area this month. These milestones bring joy and rejoicing in my posterity.
Meanwhile, this month marks two years since my radical cystectomy and neobladder, and the bad news that 12 of my lymph nodes were positive for metastatic cancer. It's been a long slog since then, and I'm grateful for each day that I can spend with my family.
Today I sold my Harley Davidson motorcycle. I had ridden it less than 100 miles in the past two years, and over the winter I realized that my riding days were over. I decided to pass it along to someone else who would appreciate it more. I enjoyed it for a season, then the season passed.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Mets Day 747: What causes bladder cancer
Scientists have known for some time of an association between smoking and bladder cancer. But there has been little understanding of how bladder cancer actually gets started, especially because it can mutate so quickly. A just-published study out of Stanford claims to have definitively answered the question, however. The study, titled "Cellular origin of bladder neoplasia and tissue dynamics of its progression to invasive carcinoma", by Shin, et al., was published online in Nature Cell Biology on April 20, 2014. An abstract is available here. I could not find the full version of the article on a free website; fortunately, my daughter who is graduating from medical school next month was able to get the complete article and send it to me.
In short, the study says that all bladder cancers start from a certain type of stem cell in basal urothelium -- the lining of the bladder. The specific characteristic of the cancer-triggering stem cell is that it expresses a certain type of protein with the real, but incredibly stupid, name of Sonic hedgehog. The researcher chose the name after Sonic the Hedgehog, a character in the Sega video game. The abbreviation for the Sonic hedgehog protein is Shh.
The Stanford article details how the researchers isolated the Shh protein and showed that the mutations from Shh-expressing stem cells were solely responsible for all bladder cancers in mice, which closely mimic human bladders. Once those Shh-expressing stem cells start cloning themselves, they rapidly displace all other types of cells in the lining of the bladder. Amazingly, once the cells start forming tumours, they lose their Shh-expressing characteristics. This is why mature bladder cancer tumours do not reflect their origin in Shh-expressing stem cells.
Figure 8 of the study contains a graphic that details the progression from normal cells lining the bladder to bladder cancer tumours. (Figure 8 can be viewed in the abstract by clicking through the figures under the "at a glance" tab.) The concluding paragraph of the article says:
The article does not suggest how patients with existing metastatic bladder cancer can be cured. Mature bladder cancer tumours, both within the bladder, and metastatic, have a number of mutations and characteristics that make it a very hard cancer to kill. But by identifying the definitive pathway by which bladder cancer starts, this study is an important step forward for diagnosing and treating early bladder cancers, and eventually learning how to prevent the cancer from forming at all.
In short, the study says that all bladder cancers start from a certain type of stem cell in basal urothelium -- the lining of the bladder. The specific characteristic of the cancer-triggering stem cell is that it expresses a certain type of protein with the real, but incredibly stupid, name of Sonic hedgehog. The researcher chose the name after Sonic the Hedgehog, a character in the Sega video game. The abbreviation for the Sonic hedgehog protein is Shh.
The Stanford article details how the researchers isolated the Shh protein and showed that the mutations from Shh-expressing stem cells were solely responsible for all bladder cancers in mice, which closely mimic human bladders. Once those Shh-expressing stem cells start cloning themselves, they rapidly displace all other types of cells in the lining of the bladder. Amazingly, once the cells start forming tumours, they lose their Shh-expressing characteristics. This is why mature bladder cancer tumours do not reflect their origin in Shh-expressing stem cells.
Figure 8 of the study contains a graphic that details the progression from normal cells lining the bladder to bladder cancer tumours. (Figure 8 can be viewed in the abstract by clicking through the figures under the "at a glance" tab.) The concluding paragraph of the article says:
The events of carcinoma initiation and progression are summarized in Fig. 8, and begin with accumulation of mutations in Shh-expressing urothelial basal stem cells, the cancer cell of origin. These mutations allow the progeny of a single cell to sweep through and colonize an extensive portion of the urothelium and form a CIS precursor lesion. Within this lesion, Shh-positive basal cells accumulate further mutations, leading to further clonal expansion and ultimately to trans-formation and invasion of the stromal and muscle layers of the bladder. The latter stages of this process are consistently accompanied by loss or attenuation of Shh expression, and further studies will be required to establish the significance of this loss. One of the key features of our findings is that progression to invasion occurs in the context of a precursor lesion with pre-neoplastic changes that aggressively spreads through most if not all of the urothelium. Resection of invasive carcinomas, even if complete, thus may leave in place urothelial cells that already have taken several early steps along the path to invasive tumour formation, thus potentially accounting for the frequent recurrence and high morbidity of invasive human bladder cancer.I've never smoked, so there is no obvious explanation of what caused my bladder cancer. But now I know it's because of a mutation in my bladder stem cell gene called Sonic hedgehog.
The article does not suggest how patients with existing metastatic bladder cancer can be cured. Mature bladder cancer tumours, both within the bladder, and metastatic, have a number of mutations and characteristics that make it a very hard cancer to kill. But by identifying the definitive pathway by which bladder cancer starts, this study is an important step forward for diagnosing and treating early bladder cancers, and eventually learning how to prevent the cancer from forming at all.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Mets Day 746: Days of future past
As I find common in my life, these past few weeks have had no momentous happenings; rather, the steady pace of life marches on day by day. I give thanks each morning for another sunrise, and thanks at the end of the day for another day with my family. During the weekdays, I get to spend time with my granddaughter, aware that she, as well as my daughter and son-in-law, soon will be moving 2000 miles away. We've already booked out flights to visit her (and a few others) in early July.
This evening my younger daughter returned home from her first year of college, and immediately went to bed. I suspect she will stay there for several days as she recharges from finals. It will be nice to have her home for the summer. Meanwhile, my youngest son is learning how to drive, and I'm bracing for the financial hit that comes when a 16 year old male is added to the car insurance.
April 11 marked the date in 2012 that a CT scan revealed that my BC had metastasized into my lymph nodes, and the day that I started my "mets day" count in the titles of each blog. I've thus entered my third year of mets BC. This puts me past the median of historical durations for overall survival. Every day is another little victory in my personal battle. I keep count in each blog post as a way of reminding myself, and perhaps others, that there is ongoing hope.
Each Monday, I get an email from BCAN with links to questions from people about bladder cancer. Sometimes its the patient, sometimes its a relative of a patient. I look through the questions for those that I might be able to add something. About 70% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer have a relatively minor type that can be treated by TURBT procedures and BCG washes of the bladder. While many of those patients are freaked out at the idea of a cancer diagnosis and are coming to BCAN for information and reassurance, they are the lucky ones. I ignore their questions, and instead plunge into those dealing with chemotherapy issues, or recovery from radical cystectomy (bladder removal) surgery, or dealing with neobladder troubles, or confronting a diagnosis of metastatic cancer. I usually spend several hours each Monday answering questions from my perspective, adding links to my blog, and inviting one-on-one follow-ups. I know how difficult it was when I was going through all of those challenges, and found comfort in the collective wisdom from others in the BCAN community. I try to add a little light to the community, in hopes that it will aid and comfort others. I usually get several follow-up emails each week from my postings.
Last week, one of the people who reached out to me was a patent attorney from Ohio with whom I had done some work several years ago. He said he had read through most of my blog before he figured out who I was, and reached out to me. It's a small world.
As an aside, yesterday one of my friends emailed me and said that I was named in Sunday's Washington Post Magazine as a "Super Lawyer" for 2014 in Intellectual Property Law. I was amused to learn that, since I haven't had a consistent legal practice for a while. I was aware that I had been so listed last year, but didn't think it would be continued. Maybe I was so named because slowing my practice has raised the average for other IP lawyers.
This weekend is the BCAN walk -- if you're still reading, it's not too late to make a donation by going to this link. For those of you who have made donations, thank you.
This evening my younger daughter returned home from her first year of college, and immediately went to bed. I suspect she will stay there for several days as she recharges from finals. It will be nice to have her home for the summer. Meanwhile, my youngest son is learning how to drive, and I'm bracing for the financial hit that comes when a 16 year old male is added to the car insurance.
April 11 marked the date in 2012 that a CT scan revealed that my BC had metastasized into my lymph nodes, and the day that I started my "mets day" count in the titles of each blog. I've thus entered my third year of mets BC. This puts me past the median of historical durations for overall survival. Every day is another little victory in my personal battle. I keep count in each blog post as a way of reminding myself, and perhaps others, that there is ongoing hope.
Each Monday, I get an email from BCAN with links to questions from people about bladder cancer. Sometimes its the patient, sometimes its a relative of a patient. I look through the questions for those that I might be able to add something. About 70% of people diagnosed with bladder cancer have a relatively minor type that can be treated by TURBT procedures and BCG washes of the bladder. While many of those patients are freaked out at the idea of a cancer diagnosis and are coming to BCAN for information and reassurance, they are the lucky ones. I ignore their questions, and instead plunge into those dealing with chemotherapy issues, or recovery from radical cystectomy (bladder removal) surgery, or dealing with neobladder troubles, or confronting a diagnosis of metastatic cancer. I usually spend several hours each Monday answering questions from my perspective, adding links to my blog, and inviting one-on-one follow-ups. I know how difficult it was when I was going through all of those challenges, and found comfort in the collective wisdom from others in the BCAN community. I try to add a little light to the community, in hopes that it will aid and comfort others. I usually get several follow-up emails each week from my postings.
Last week, one of the people who reached out to me was a patent attorney from Ohio with whom I had done some work several years ago. He said he had read through most of my blog before he figured out who I was, and reached out to me. It's a small world.
As an aside, yesterday one of my friends emailed me and said that I was named in Sunday's Washington Post Magazine as a "Super Lawyer" for 2014 in Intellectual Property Law. I was amused to learn that, since I haven't had a consistent legal practice for a while. I was aware that I had been so listed last year, but didn't think it would be continued. Maybe I was so named because slowing my practice has raised the average for other IP lawyers.
This weekend is the BCAN walk -- if you're still reading, it's not too late to make a donation by going to this link. For those of you who have made donations, thank you.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Mets Day 721 - Join Team Kbros
Please join with me in this year's Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) Walk for Bladder Cancer, on Saturday, May 3, on the National Mall in Washington DC. I've set up a Team Kbros page to collect donations and register those who want to join the walk. I've set a goal to raise $2500 for BCAN in the next 30 days. Please click on this link to join my team, or just to make a donation. You can donate anonymously, if you want.
While I do not expect researchers to find a cure for bladder cancer soon enough to help my metastatic cancer, every step forward helps build a greater foundation of understanding. Although bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the US (and fourth most common in men), it is near the bottom in the level of federal cancer funding.
Thank you for support!
(By the way, here's what I put on my team page):
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer on November 22, 2011. This walk will mark two years since my cancer metastasized. Currently there is no cure for metastatic bladder cancer. I'm walking to support the research for a cure, and to celebrate the hope and joy of life.
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer.
While I do not expect researchers to find a cure for bladder cancer soon enough to help my metastatic cancer, every step forward helps build a greater foundation of understanding. Although bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the US (and fourth most common in men), it is near the bottom in the level of federal cancer funding.
Thank you for support!
(By the way, here's what I put on my team page):
I was diagnosed with bladder cancer on November 22, 2011. This walk will mark two years since my cancer metastasized. Currently there is no cure for metastatic bladder cancer. I'm walking to support the research for a cure, and to celebrate the hope and joy of life.
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer.
I
was diagnosed with bladder cancer on November 22, 2011. This walk will
mark two years since my cancer metastasized. Currently there is no cure
for metastatic bladder cancer. I'm walking to support the research for a
cure, and to celebrate the hope and joy of life.
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer. - See more at: http://dcwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1097721&supid=404648548#sthash.421hhuue.dpuf
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer. - See more at: http://dcwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1097721&supid=404648548#sthash.421hhuue.dpuf
I
was diagnosed with bladder cancer on November 22, 2011. This walk will
mark two years since my cancer metastasized. Currently there is no cure
for metastatic bladder cancer. I'm walking to support the research for a
cure, and to celebrate the hope and joy of life.
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer. - See more at: http://dcwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1097721&supid=404648548#sthash.421hhuue.dpuf
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer. - See more at: http://dcwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1097721&supid=404648548#sthash.421hhuue.dpuf
I
was diagnosed with bladder cancer on November 22, 2011. This walk will
mark two years since my cancer metastasized. Currently there is no cure
for metastatic bladder cancer. I'm walking to support the research for a
cure, and to celebrate the hope and joy of life.
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer. - See more at: http://dcwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1097721&supid=404648548#sthash.421hhuue.dpuf
This year, 73,000 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. 15,000 people will not survive their bladder cancer journey this year.
Bladder cancer is the 6th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. It affects both men and women of all ages and races, although men are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed. Women, however, have higher mortality rates due to delayed diagnosis.
Through innovative programs such as the Bladder Cancer Think Tank - the only scientific symposium dedicated solely to bladder cancer, BCAN is helping to change these odds.
Walk with me or donate and help us beat these odds!
$25 gives 50 people educational materials to navigate their bladder cancer journey
$50 will help produce a webinar about bladder cancer research
$100 helps a Young Investigator attend BCAN's Think Tank
Thank you for stepping up and helping me change the lives of those impacted by bladder cancer. - See more at: http://dcwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1097721&supid=404648548#sthash.421hhuue.dpuf
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Mets day 720 - Holding Steady
I was supposed to meet today with Dr. Aragon-Ching, my oncologist at GW. We had scheduled the appointment more than a month ago, anticipating that the results of my scan would mean that we'd need to consider additional treatment options. When she learned that the scan detected no new metastases, she emailed me and said that we could cancel our appointment. I was not disappointed.
This past week we've had a rolling celebration of Jennifer's 51st birthday. Over the weekend we gathered with several of her friends for dinner, and also went to a Christopher Cross concert at the Birchmere. His first album was the soundtrack to our courtship in the early 80's, so it was a lovely trip down memory lane.
I think spring has finally arrived in the DC area, although I can't be sure, since it was snowing two days ago. Yesterday I was walking around the yard, taking inventory of things that needed to be addressed. I fixed two leaking gutters corners, noted several plants that didn't make it through the winter, and turned on the water to the sprinkler system and pool, only to discover a split in a copper riser supply pipe by the pool. I'm going to have to dig around in my workshop for my solder, flux and blowtorch to patch it.
Last week Chelsea learned that she had matched to a medical residency program in Ogden, Utah -- the town where Jennifer grew up, and the closest city to Huntsville, where I grew up. According to Chelsea, the local hospital in Ogden has one of the best family practice residency programs in the country, and she's excited to be training there. They'll move in early June. It's bittersweet news for Jennifer and me, because it means that Chelsea, Josh, and granddaughter Rose soon will be 2000 miles away. We've already made plans to visit them in late June and early July, and Jennifer and I have told each other that we'll be making lots of trips to get our grandparent fix. Meanwhile, we still get to care for her during the days while Chelsea finishes her classes, and we cherish spending time with her -- even when she's crying because she's teething, or is overtired, or just fussy. Enjoy each moment, I tell them, and I'm walking the talk.
This past week we've had a rolling celebration of Jennifer's 51st birthday. Over the weekend we gathered with several of her friends for dinner, and also went to a Christopher Cross concert at the Birchmere. His first album was the soundtrack to our courtship in the early 80's, so it was a lovely trip down memory lane.
I think spring has finally arrived in the DC area, although I can't be sure, since it was snowing two days ago. Yesterday I was walking around the yard, taking inventory of things that needed to be addressed. I fixed two leaking gutters corners, noted several plants that didn't make it through the winter, and turned on the water to the sprinkler system and pool, only to discover a split in a copper riser supply pipe by the pool. I'm going to have to dig around in my workshop for my solder, flux and blowtorch to patch it.
Last week Chelsea learned that she had matched to a medical residency program in Ogden, Utah -- the town where Jennifer grew up, and the closest city to Huntsville, where I grew up. According to Chelsea, the local hospital in Ogden has one of the best family practice residency programs in the country, and she's excited to be training there. They'll move in early June. It's bittersweet news for Jennifer and me, because it means that Chelsea, Josh, and granddaughter Rose soon will be 2000 miles away. We've already made plans to visit them in late June and early July, and Jennifer and I have told each other that we'll be making lots of trips to get our grandparent fix. Meanwhile, we still get to care for her during the days while Chelsea finishes her classes, and we cherish spending time with her -- even when she's crying because she's teething, or is overtired, or just fussy. Enjoy each moment, I tell them, and I'm walking the talk.
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