The Miracle Deepens

My first information about the recent CT scan came from a telephone conversation with my oncologist. She was getting ready to go on leave and I had asked her to let me know how the scan looked before she left. On Thursday, I was able to pick up the radiologist's report and read it for myself. What a different picture it presents.

I have tumours disappearing all over and several others, including the one which interfered with my spine recently, are barely visible. The largest tumour remains stable.

It is actually difficult to process this information. My immune system is very busy destroying cancer in my body, one cell at a time. There is a lot of work for it to do. However, I have one more infusion to go, on December 19, and this may help it along. Who knows how much destruction can happen? Who knows how long this regression can last?

For now, I am resolved to eat well, sleep well and live well while the process unfolds. This is a time of renewed happiness and energy for me.

Peace and love to all.

Miracle on Tyee Road

'Tis the season of peace and good will. As the holiday season approaches, moods lift and we are more likely to give generously. We count our blessings and often notice our basket is overflowing so it is good to share.

I have excellent news to share. I had a CT scan on Friday and learned yesterday from the oncologist that my tumours are all stable at the moment, except for one, which has completely disappeared. I had been filled with trepidation since I have had pain and discomfort recently and feared the worst. Now I am filled once more with hope as I look forward to happy times ahead.

My disease is certainly taking an unusual and unpredictable course and I am glad and thankful for that. Thank you for every kind thought, every warm wish and every generous act you have offered up on my behalf. It is making a difference. 

Greetings of the season to all!

On with treatment

Hello again. What a long silence! No inspiration!

I had my third infusion on Thursday - only one more to go. My body got quite sick between infusions two and three but I have now recovered and am enjoying life again. This illness may be a good omen. A reaction to the medication is associated with an attack on the disease as the immune system ramps up. So, fingers crossed please! I know, your fingers may be tired already!

We have been enjoying very pleasant, dry but cool weather for the past while. We have rain this weekend but it is supposed to give way to bright and unusually cold weather next week. This is not my favourite time of year but I will make the best of it. There are lots of interesting activities available for mind and body. Best wishes to all as the days shorten some more!  Peace and love, Nigel

Philadelphia

Here I am on the High Line in Manhattan, seeking friends wherever I can find them. We are all in this together. We had a lovely day in New York and enjoyed the childrens' Hallowe'en Parade in Washington Square.

We travelled to Philadelphia at the beginning of November for a three day conference dedicated entirely to ocular melanoma.  There, for the first time, I found myself in the company of 60 people afflicted by this horrible disease. Two thirds of them have had a primary tumour in the eye but no metastasis to distant sites yet. They were attending in order to learn what help would be available in the event that metastasis comes their way. Genetic testing, which most people in the US can now have at the time of the primary tumour, can determine the level of risk and the vast majority of those people were at high risk. Twenty of us had varying degrees of metastasis.

The top doctors in the US who deal with this disease spoke to the conference about their work. They see many patients as most people end up being referred to Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Colorado.

There was interesting information available about how one gets into clinical trials of new therapies. There was a range of workshops on living with the disease. A lot of participants enjoyed being able to network with others affected.

In summary, there is little help available for someone in my situation. Great progress has been made in controlling at least temporarily disease in the liver. My tumours are almost entirely outside the liver. I enjoyed meeting with Dr. Tamaki Sato, perhaps the best known oncologist in the community. He spent quality time with me reviewing my health status. He approved of the decisions I had made to date and felt that there had been a net benefit from immunotherapy and it would be good to proceed with the reinduction I have already started.  He held out some hope for a clinical trial he intends to organize soon using a MEK inhibitor that has been shown to slow the progress of the disease for some people.

I am now home in Victoria and focussing on the present moment above all. 

Triumph!

Sunday, October 13, 2013 was a day to remember!

As the weekend approached, I learned that two more friends had signed up for my tenth anniversary marathon and celebration of the 38th anniversary of my arrival in Canada!  The fourth was not wearing the required shirt so was excluded from this finishing photograph!

As we stood on the start line at 8.45 AM on a perfect running day, cool temperature, bright blue sky and no wind, I had no idea what might lie ahead.  It was a miracle that I was standing there, ready to run, after a lead in that involved serious pain, heavy steroids and radiation just two weeks before. I determined just to have as much fun as I could on this beautiful day in the company of best friends.

The early going was easy, effortless and already fairly fast. By the end of the first mile the pace was set for 8.5 minutes per mile, a good bit faster than I thought my body would give.  The route is very beautiful, along by the coast with splendid views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the towering, snow clad Olympic Mountains. An army of eager volunteers and several bands ensured our comfort and ease of mind as we progressed. Distractions were everywhere when needed. Inward focus was easy when required.

We sailed effortlessly to the 20 mile mark in Oak Bay Village. My Garmin started to tell me that I was slowing down. I accepted that, with six miles to go, this was how it was.   My friends, probably astonished that I had got that far, never complained. At times they ran ahead, sometimes slightly behind, and from time to time, one or other of them would run right by my side. I have no idea whether they had a plan or whether this was just how things turned out. They are all capable or running a marathon under 3 hours so this was a long slow run for them for sure. Their equanimity, kindness and patience were a blessing for me on the day.

Despite the effort of the last few miles, the glorious downhill along Dallas Road down into the city loomed ahead. The fabled seven turns at the end were upon us! As we came to Belleville Street for the finish, we could hear the cheers of the happy welcoming throng and we ran side by side, now at a pace under 8 minutes per mile, to cross the finish line in 3 hours 55 minutes. 

I leaned heavily on my friends until I was sure I could stand alone. A caring medical volunteer tried to insist I visit the medical tent but I was having none of that. As we walked through the finishing tunnel, we were greeted by happy friends and supporters.

Given the length of time we had been out on the course, it did not occur to me to check for podium times. Several hours later, it emerged that I had finished in third place in my age category.  Who knew that old people run so slowly?! I have emailed the organizers to apologize for my rudeness in not attending the awards ceremony. It has always disappointed me to see empty spaces on stage as awards are given out.

Now, four days later, my body is recovering nicely and today I go back on immunotherapy in the hope to stalling the growth of the enemy within. I am happy to have overcome several serious challenges in being ready for a return to treatment. May it all turn out perfectly.  I am so happy to have completed another marathon.  In a sense, the battle against cancer is proving to be a marathon too. I just don't know where in the race I am.  I need to keep the pace going for now.  Peace and love to all my friends.

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving.  I arrived in Canada on Thanksgiving Day 1975. On my first day here, I delighted in turkey dinner with all the trimmings and of course, pumpkin pie, for the first time. This memory, along with so many beautiful family celebrations over the years, reminds me to be very thankful for all of Canada's generosity to me. It was a very lucky day for me when I landed on these verdant shores.

Also, on Thanksgiving weekend in 2003, I ran a marathon for the first time.  I recall all of the preparation over months, the excitement of racing, the excellent company of friends and the sweet taste of success.  Ten years later, to the day, I will go out on that same course again and attempt to run the distance one more time.  My life is very different now.  I am assailed by illness. As recently as last week I was in hospital again with pain I could not handle.  I had radiation during this week to slow a tumour interfering with my spine.  Perhaps my body will not be able to complete the feat. Perhaps I can do it. 

A large group of friends is coming over to Vancouver Island, just like ten years ago, and we will celebrate our passion for running together. Some friends will run with me, and another group will run with my son who is running his first half marathon.  This will be a very special day!

Along the route, we will pass this statue of a Canadian hero who died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 22.  Every September, people in Canada and throughout the world do the Terrry Fox Run and contribute to cancer research to honour his memory.  His story has inspired our nation and over
$500 000 000 has been raised for cancer research.  If you are in a giving mood at this time of giving thanks, please donate to his foundation (Terry Fox Foundation) or to the BC Cancer Foundation.

WELCOME!

Welcome to this space, perhaps temporary, perhaps not, just like life.

I have had some difficulties with my previous blog and I know that visitors get frustrated when they can't find updates.  On my return from Africa and Europe in June, I was unable to post pics that I really wanted to share and other issues then crept in as well.  To date, Shaw has been unable to sort this out so I must move on. So here we are together again! Thank you for visiting!

As summer gives way to fall, I hope to provide a place where friendly readers can keep up with my news as it emerges. Each day is a new day.  No two days are ever the same.  Today is the best day there is.

Here I am at the top of Mt. Finlayson  celebrating the end of summer 2013.