6 weeks at a time...
It has been one year since I started clinical trials. I have had a CT scan every 6 weeks for the last year. Yesterday as I laid in the CT machine, I said to the technician, "the results from the next 5 minutes determines my life path for the next 6 weeks." I am so grateful to qualify for clinical trials, but at the same time they are a lot of work. With a trial you are monitored very closely, and often. In the past two months I have had 22 doctor's appointments and a surgery. That definitely puts a crimp in my "Get Busy Living" routine. But I am here, I continue to qualify for the ever-changing science world, and the results from my scan yesterday show that my treatment is working. A few of my tumors have shrunk in the last six weeks and there is no new growth. Qualifying for a clinical trial when you have cancer is like winning the lottery. (that's life in the cancer world) So, for the next 6 weeks I will continue to receive intravenous chemotherapy every other week and then we will scan again. I am also incredibly grateful that my side effects tend to be minimal and overall, I have a pretty awesome quality of life.
Fall has been fun for our family! Last weekend we had a half marathon run\bike along the shore of White Lake with the beautiful fall colors. I borrowed a friends e-bike which was a total blast! E-bikes are a game changer. While I might be able to pedal 13 miles, it would definitely put me in bed for a few days following. With cancer, you have to learn your boundaries. That is one of the hardest things about having cancer and the side effects of cancer treatments. You are not able to do things you once did. If you learn one thing from me, don't take the things you are able to do for granted, because some day those things might change. I can't get up and go for a run like I once did. I can bike, but I have to be prepared to pay for it in the days following. I must say though, it was pretty fun cruising up the hills on the e-bike flying by my friends pedaling their hardest to make it up hill. :)
Pictures of the half marathon participates.
I was also able to sneak away for 6 days and drive with my snowbird friend Michelle down to Naples. We had a great time during our car ride, laughing about old stories, talking about life, being real about our feelings, listening to audio books and crime stories. I cherish those car rides with her every year, and I hope I am able to continue our tradition for years to come. This year we spent a few days in Huntsville Alabama with Michelles Uncle Bob. Huntsville is a great town, and it was awesome to get to know Uncle Bob and hear about Michelles childhood.
The kids are great. Bryce is a Senior already; he will graduate in December 2023 with a Bachelors in Exercise Science. Brooke is a Freshman at GVSU and off to a great start! Peyton is taking a semester off of school and is working as he decides what he wants to do. They are all healthy, happy and I am still here to watch them grow and succeed.
Keep the prayers coming, they are working! We praise God every day!
Get Busy Living!
Love and Peace,
Chris
