I have Cancer :/ -- still doing well

[wiffleball 4,746]

So, you'll be wearing a sports bra for a while?

[jerryskids 6,012]

6 minutes ago, wiffleball said:

So, you'll be wearing a sports bra for a while?

I don't have moobs (a moob, since only one?), so if I need one after this, I'd say she found more than enough fat to fill it!   

[wiffleball 4,746]

5 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

I don't have moobs (a moob, since only one?), so if I need one after this, I'd say she found more than enough fat to fill it!   

Well, if you really want to protect that nipple, Id at least wear a pasty.

 

 tassels are always fun.

[Thornton Melon 580]

Good news, skids, but I would have asked for a 3rd nipple.

[wiffleball 4,746]

Can you request what kind of nipple? Because seriously dude  get one of those ginormous African frisbee-sized areolas with the 5-inch nipple.

 

You'll look like a f****** lawn dart.

[jerryskids 6,012]

9 minutes ago, Thornton Melon said:

Good news, skids, but I would have asked for a 3rd nipple.

I actually have a little baby 3rd niplet already.   

5 minutes ago, wiffleball said:

Can you request what kind of nipple? Because seriously dude  get one of those ginormous African frisbee-sized areolas with the 5-inch nipple.

 

You'll look like a f****** lawn dart.

They are moving the one I have, which is spectacular.

[DonS 3,211]

Shouldn't this news about you getting "top surgery" be in one of the threads about trans kids? 

[Strike 4,604]

10 minutes ago, DonS said:

Shouldn't this news about you getting "top surgery" be in one of the threads about trans kids? 

I think we've been very consistent in those threads in saying that we support adults who want to transition, so if that's what Jerry wants I'm behind her 100%.

[jerryskids 6,012]

It occurs to me reading about cancer in a few other threads that I am overdue for an update.  All is still good.  Had my last scan about a month ago and again no changes.

I see I mentioned my chest surgery above.  That went... meh.  I had a lot of downtime and some new scars for what was overall not much improvement IMO.

The interesting news is that at my appointment last week, my PA broached the subject I knew would eventually come -- stopping treatments.  I've been doing Keytruda for 25 months now, and it seems that 2 years is the "typical" regimen.  It's hella expensive so I'm sure that the insurance company would appreciate it.  And at some point, you need to find out if maybe all of the cancer is indeed gone.  I do have that one small nodule that's been sitting there the whole time which is too small to biopsy, and perhaps that could justify continuing the treatments, but if I play armchair oncologist (which I often do) I would guess that that nodule is non-cancerous.  

The PA did say that if the cancer returned I could restart immuno and/or chemo, which obviously were effective in the past, so that takes a lot of the concern away.  Still, it's scary.  I'm already nervous at my quarterly scans, although if I'm being honest I've been more confident as time goes on.  If we stop treatments though, I'll be somewhat of a wreck as the scans approach, for a while anyway.

Still, it would be nice to not get poked like a pincushion every 3 weeks.  As I type this I'm looking at several bruises on my forearms from blown veins from failed IV attempts.  My veins are shot and could use a rest.

The internet says that the 5 year survival rate for patients who do 2 years of Keytruda is 81%.  That's amazing, and even more so because I think that includes all deaths, including natural causes.  Immunotherapy is somewhat binary -- either your cancer responds or it doesn't, and if it doesn't you don't generally make it to 2 years of treatment.  Before such treatments, you could never get rid of my type of cancer once it metastasized, and it was just a matter of time until it (or the chemo) killed you.  Now though... this stuff is still quite new, so who knows?

I have a few more treatments scheduled then meet the oncologist after my next scan which is in 8 weeks, so we'll discuss it then.

Hope all is well with you and yours.   

[RaiderHaters Revenge 3,950]

good to hear Jerry

[Wade Garrett 155]

1 hour ago, jerryskids said:

It occurs to me reading about cancer in a few other threads that I am overdue for an update.  All is still good.  Had my last scan about a month ago and again no changes.

I see I mentioned my chest surgery above.  That went... meh.  I had a lot of downtime and some new scars for what was overall not much improvement IMO.

The interesting news is that at my appointment last week, my PA broached the subject I knew would eventually come -- stopping treatments.  I've been doing Keytruda for 25 months now, and it seems that 2 years is the "typical" regimen.  It's hella expensive so I'm sure that the insurance company would appreciate it.  And at some point, you need to find out if maybe all of the cancer is indeed gone.  I do have that one small nodule that's been sitting there the whole time which is too small to biopsy, and perhaps that could justify continuing the treatments, but if I play armchair oncologist (which I often do) I would guess that that nodule is non-cancerous.  

The PA did say that if the cancer returned I could restart immuno and/or chemo, which obviously were effective in the past, so that takes a lot of the concern away.  Still, it's scary.  I'm already nervous at my quarterly scans, although if I'm being honest I've been more confident as time goes on.  If we stop treatments though, I'll be somewhat of a wreck as the scans approach, for a while anyway.

Still, it would be nice to not get poked like a pincushion every 3 weeks.  As I type this I'm looking at several bruises on my forearms from blown veins from failed IV attempts.  My veins are shot and could use a rest.

The internet says that the 5 year survival rate for patients who do 2 years of Keytruda is 81%.  That's amazing, and even more so because I think that includes all deaths, including natural causes.  Immunotherapy is somewhat binary -- either your cancer responds or it doesn't, and if it doesn't you don't generally make it to 2 years of treatment.  Before such treatments, you could never get rid of my type of cancer once it metastasized, and it was just a matter of time until it (or the chemo) killed you.  Now though... this stuff is still quite new, so who knows?

I have a few more treatments scheduled then meet the oncologist after my next scan which is in 8 weeks, so we'll discuss it then.

Hope all is well with you and yours.   

Congrats on getting to this point boyo.  Most here take cancer very seriously and wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I hope you have a complete recovery and never have to deal with it again. 

[MTSkiBum 1,620]

[dogcows 1,030]

1 hour ago, jerryskids said:

I see I mentioned my chest surgery above.  That went... meh.  I had a lot of downtime and some new scars for what was overall not much improvement IMO.

Can size?

Seriously though, glad things improved for you.

[Strike 4,604]

Thanks for the update.  Glad things are going well.

[GobbleDog 914]

RIP

[jerryskids 6,012]

22 minutes ago, dogcows said:

Can size?

Seriously though, glad things improved for you.

I typed a long, attempted-humorous response to this that just disappeared.  I'm too lazy to repeat it, so basically:  I still don't have a can which is part of why I said the surgery went meh.  I could repeat the lipo but each time requires 6 weeks of doing almost nothing physical, so I'll pass.

[Pimpadeaux 2,403]

[BunnysBastatrds 2,094]

Great news.

[TommyGavin 790]

F cancer. Good job ‘Skids. I couldn’t do it. I would of given up. 

[patweisers44 735]

Gotta admit i pause everytime i see this bumped.  But glad to see this update.

You are one of the dudes that makes this place bearable.

[jerryskids 6,012]

1 minute ago, patweisers44 said:

Gotta admit i pause everytime i see this bumped.  But glad to see this update.

You are one of the dudes that makes this place bearable.

Thank you.  Others have mentioned a similar reaction when they see this thread bumped, so I added the tag with the date and an "all good" to try to minimize that.   

[Reality 2,974]

25 minutes ago, patweisers44 said:

Gotta admit i pause everytime i see this bumped.  But glad to see this update.

You are one of the dudes that makes this place bearable.

True story.

[FrancieFootball 82]

What an amazing roller coaster of a story. Heartfelt blessings to you and your family for what you've been through and hopes and prayers for the years to come. 

 

[Thornton Melon 580]

 Happy to hear, jerry. Keep it up!

[jerryskids 6,012]

4 hours ago, Thornton Melon said:

 Happy to hear, jerry. Keep it up!

That's what she said!   

[Thornton Melon 580]

22 minutes ago, jerryskids said:

That's what she said!   

I knew someone would catch that. Glad it was you!

[jerryskids 6,012]

27 minutes ago, Thornton Melon said:

I knew someone would catch that. Glad it was you!

I'm sure I've mentioned it here, but every night my wife gives me a lymph massage (it's a real thing!) because my lymph system was disrupted when they cut my haid half off.  During it we stream lighthearted shows.  We've done Schitt's Creek, The New Girl, Community, 1.5 seasons of Sunny (the only one we've quit on, it just wasn't the right vibe), and we are currently on The Office. Think of Parks and Rec next.  If you've watched it, Holly just returned and she and Michael are in love (season 7), and I fear we're reaching the part where Michael leaves the show.   

[Thornton Melon 580]

2 hours ago, jerryskids said:

I'm sure I've mentioned it here, but every night my wife gives me a lymph massage (it's a real thing!) because my lymph system was disrupted when they cut my haid half off.  During it we stream lighthearted shows.  We've done Schitt's Creek, The New Girl, Community, 1.5 seasons of Sunny (the only one we've quit on, it just wasn't the right vibe), and we are currently on The Office. Think of Parks and Rec next.  If you've watched it, Holly just returned and she and Michael are in love (season 7), and I fear we're reaching the part where Michael leaves the show.   

Sounds kinky. I should have my wife try that with me. (Or your wife, doesn't matter )

[artista928 6]

23 hours ago, jerryskids said:

It occurs to me reading about cancer in a few other threads that I am overdue for an update.  All is still good.  Had my last scan about a month ago and again no changes.

I see I mentioned my chest surgery above.  That went... meh.  I had a lot of downtime and some new scars for what was overall not much improvement IMO.

The interesting news is that at my appointment last week, my PA broached the subject I knew would eventually come -- stopping treatments.  I've been doing Keytruda for 25 months now, and it seems that 2 years is the "typical" regimen.  It's hella expensive so I'm sure that the insurance company would appreciate it.  And at some point, you need to find out if maybe all of the cancer is indeed gone.  I do have that one small nodule that's been sitting there the whole time which is too small to biopsy, and perhaps that could justify continuing the treatments, but if I play armchair oncologist (which I often do) I would guess that that nodule is non-cancerous.  

The PA did say that if the cancer returned I could restart immuno and/or chemo, which obviously were effective in the past, so that takes a lot of the concern away.  Still, it's scary.  I'm already nervous at my quarterly scans, although if I'm being honest I've been more confident as time goes on.  If we stop treatments though, I'll be somewhat of a wreck as the scans approach, for a while anyway.

Still, it would be nice to not get poked like a pincushion every 3 weeks.  As I type this I'm looking at several bruises on my forearms from blown veins from failed IV attempts.  My veins are shot and could use a rest.

The internet says that the 5 year survival rate for patients who do 2 years of Keytruda is 81%.  That's amazing, and even more so because I think that includes all deaths, including natural causes.  Immunotherapy is somewhat binary -- either your cancer responds or it doesn't, and if it doesn't you don't generally make it to 2 years of treatment.  Before such treatments, you could never get rid of my type of cancer once it metastasized, and it was just a matter of time until it (or the chemo) killed you.  Now though... this stuff is still quite new, so who knows?

I have a few more treatments scheduled then meet the oncologist after my next scan which is in 8 weeks, so we'll discuss it then.

Hope all is well with you and yours.   

Glad to hear all is well!

I'm 8 years out from diagnosis. I don't do scans anymore unless I complain of something that should be double checked. Labs are 3 x a year, onc 1 x a year, surgeon 1 x year since the bilateral implants has a recall on them for 3 years so making sure all's well & he's my mammogram, PCP 3 x yr... I still have a lung nodule now for 7 years. I don't do a chest x-ray anymore after 2 years as it would have shown up as malignant by then, according to my onc.

Hopefully eventually cancer will take up less space in your mind as you go forth cancer free. Stay blessed. The experience has impacted me positively as well. I'm a better person from it, so for that I feel grateful.

xx

[jerryskids 6,012]

24 minutes ago, artista928 said:

Glad to hear all is well!

I'm 8 years out from diagnosis. I don't do scans anymore unless I complain of something that should be double checked. Labs are 3 x a year, onc 1 x a year, surgeon 1 x year since the bilateral implants has a recall on them for 3 years so making sure all's well & he's my mammogram, PCP 3 x yr... I still have a lung nodule now for 7 years. I don't do a chest x-ray anymore after 2 years as it would have shown up as malignant by then, according to my onc.

Hopefully eventually cancer will take up less space in your mind as you go forth cancer free. Stay blessed. The experience has impacted me positively as well. I'm a better person from it, so for that I feel grateful.

xx

Thanks, and glad you are doing well.  I don't know what the long term plan is for me, because until recently nobody needed a long term plan with the cancer I had.  I look forward to blazing those trails with my onc.   

[wiffleball 4,746]

Friggin rocks buddy. 

[Voltaire 4,817]

5 hours ago, artista928 said:

Glad to hear all is well!

I'm 8 years out from diagnosis. I don't do scans anymore unless I complain of something that should be double checked. Labs are 3 x a year, onc 1 x a year, surgeon 1 x year since the bilateral implants has a recall on them for 3 years so making sure all's well & he's my mammogram, PCP 3 x yr... I still have a lung nodule now for 7 years. I don't do a chest x-ray anymore after 2 years as it would have shown up as malignant by then, according to my onc.

Hopefully eventually cancer will take up less space in your mind as you go forth cancer free. Stay blessed. The experience has impacted me positively as well. I'm a better person from it, so for that I feel grateful.

xx

 

4 hours ago, jerryskids said:

Thanks, and glad you are doing well.  I don't know what the long term plan is for me, because until recently nobody needed a long term plan with the cancer I had.  I look forward to blazing those trails with my onc.   

Glad to hear the good prognosises for the both of you.

[artista928 6]

On 6/27/2023 at 4:31 PM, Voltaire said:

 

Glad to hear the good prognosises for the both of you.

Thank you Voltaire! Hope all's well with you and your family!

[Bill E. 698]

On 6/27/2023 at 2:12 PM, artista928 said:

Glad to hear all is well!

I'm 8 years out from diagnosis. I don't do scans anymore unless I complain of something that should be double checked. Labs are 3 x a year, onc 1 x a year, surgeon 1 x year since the bilateral implants has a recall on them for 3 years so making sure all's well & he's my mammogram, PCP 3 x yr... I still have a lung nodule now for 7 years. I don't do a chest x-ray anymore after 2 years as it would have shown up as malignant by then, according to my onc.

Hopefully eventually cancer will take up less space in your mind as you go forth cancer free. Stay blessed. The experience has impacted me positively as well. I'm a better person from it, so for that I feel grateful.

xx

 

On 6/26/2023 at 2:02 PM, jerryskids said:

It occurs to me reading about cancer in a few other threads that I am overdue for an update.  All is still good.  Had my last scan about a month ago and again no changes.

I see I mentioned my chest surgery above.  That went... meh.  I had a lot of downtime and some new scars for what was overall not much improvement IMO.

The interesting news is that at my appointment last week, my PA broached the subject I knew would eventually come -- stopping treatments.  I've been doing Keytruda for 25 months now, and it seems that 2 years is the "typical" regimen.  It's hella expensive so I'm sure that the insurance company would appreciate it.  And at some point, you need to find out if maybe all of the cancer is indeed gone.  I do have that one small nodule that's been sitting there the whole time which is too small to biopsy, and perhaps that could justify continuing the treatments, but if I play armchair oncologist (which I often do) I would guess that that nodule is non-cancerous.  

Glad to see you are both doing well!!

[Voltaire 4,817]

On 7/2/2023 at 1:17 AM, artista928 said:

Thank you Voltaire! Hope all's well with you and your family!

Uh no, sadly. Things blew up horribly. The Chinese governemt destroyed the entire private eduction sector and I got caught up in that. Hopefully the ship gets righted at least come September such that I'll be teaching in a classroom in Florida. It could all be delayed, my wife still isn't legally able to work in the US because there's such an enormous backlog of visa.

[artista928 6]

On 7/2/2023 at 1:32 AM, Bill E. said:

Glad to see you are both doing well!!

Thank you Bill! My shark tooth is my good luck charm! Hope all's well with you!

[artista928 6]

On 7/3/2023 at 4:33 AM, Voltaire said:

Uh no, sadly. Things blew up horribly. The Chinese governemt destroyed the entire private eduction sector and I got caught up in that. Hopefully the ship gets righted at least come September such that I'll be teaching in a classroom in Florida. It could all be delayed, my wife still isn't legally able to work in the US because there's such an enormous backlog of visa.

Oh nooo, so sorry to hear! Prayers that all will come together by September and you and your family are back here in the US.
Xx

[Bill E. 698]

On 7/4/2023 at 5:53 PM, artista928 said:

Thank you Bill! My shark tooth is my good luck charm! Hope all's well with you!

It is..  I hope you are well too.  

[jerryskids 6,012]

All is still good, but I wanted to talk about tomorrow (7/26), which is my 56th birthday.  56 is a seemingly unimportant age, but to me it is a big milestone.  My dad passed away in 1985, two months shy of his 56th birthday.  His dad died at a young age as well, long before I was born.  As such, I've always had this little tickler in the back of my mind that thought "man, I hope I can make it to 56."  Sometimes it was somewhat of a joke, like duh, of course I will!  Other times it had some seriousness, during times in my life where I didn't exactly treat my body like a temple.  But still, 56 in this day and age, barring an accident or a congenital issue, it should be expected, right?

Then three years ago come early August, I got the cancer diagnosis.

Weird thing was, I was oddly confident at first.  I took the route most likely to get all of the cancer, a laryngectomy, even though it basically ended my life as I knew it.  But a new life would emerge.  Through multiple surgeries, two months of radiation, and complete silence throughout, I took solace that my sacrifice would eradicate the cancer and I would live to see my kids graduate, get married, have my grandkids, and be there with my wife through it all.  That's more important than speaking.

Then a scan showed metastasis.

In addition to the disappointment that I had given up my voice and still had the metastasis, this was the first time I thought "dang, I'm really going to die from this."  My medical team felt the same.  The historical 5 year survival for my case was, well, let's just say single digits.  It was basically when, not if.  I was 2.5 years away from my 56th, and I laughed for fear of crying, thinking "I can't believe I'm really not going to make it to 56."

And yet... here I am.  Immunotherapy is new and has been a game changer, for those like me who are fortunate to respond well to it.  I've also done some stuff to improve my health as well and potentially assist with the cancer fight, at least I like to think so.

Years ago I listened to a meditation called something like "the last time."  It talked about how everything in your life will happen for a last time; for those with children for instance, there will be a last time picking them up, a last time telling them a goodnight story, the last time coaching a team, etc.  The idea is to treat more events like it might be the last time, to be present and enjoy them.  I try to do that, but it is quite hard.  My advice is that you try to do it as well.  Even without cancer, there will be a last time...

My wife knows this is a big deal for me.  She took the day off from work; we'll sleep in (wink wink), head to the DBacks day game vs. the Cards, then have dinner with my kids, where my wife got me a tomahawk steak.  I've got two very nice bottles of wine I got 5 years ago when out at Napa for our 25th anniversary (visite @Bier Meisteron that trip); I'll open one of them.  This was something else I heard recently -- we keep things like the nice wine forever and never drink it; why?  Wine is for drinking and sharing with those you love.  

Anyway, for those who made it this far, thanks for letting me rant, look at MEEEEEE$#@!  

[bostonlager 2,661]

Glad you’re doing well. Happy birthday, Jerry