Cancer Journey Blog
Science, Real Science
October 23, 2020 - This afternoon, I completed my second round (infusion) of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) at West Cancer Center's main campus. Keytruda, as I've explained previously, is an immunotherapy medicine - meaning it boosts the body's natural immune defenses in...
Another Twist, Another Turn
October 1, 2020 - Today I started a new treatment regimen: immunotherapy. For those of you following my blog, a lot has happened since my last post (The Verdict Is In). Needless to say, we've taken a new path in my melanoma journey; hence, the title of this post.A...
The Verdict Is In
September 12, 2020 - Bottom-line: melanoma has spread to my right adrenal gland. While, initially, this news was distressing, it didn't come as a complete shock. All summer, we've been wondering what caused the sizable blood mass in and around my adrenal gland...
The Waiting Is the Hardest Part
September 5, 2020 - Much of our August was spent at the West Cancer Center: blood tests, CT scans, an ultrasound, another CT scan, and, finally, a wonderful needle biopsy. Throw in a couple visits with my oncologist, further lab tests, along with a PET scan, and...
In the Eye of the Storm
August 28, 2020 - Earlier today, Facebook alerted me to a memory from 2017. I'd almost forgotten about the post until today's notice. What I haven't forgotten, unfortunately, was the crappy comment that came from a former high school classmate.Note: Yes, on Facebook...
Barbara (Billett) Jeffrey: In Memoriam
August 24, 2020 - We lost my Aunt Barbara earlier this month. She died August 4th around one in the morning. According to my family, her cause of death was kidney (renal) failure. Aunt Barbara was in the hospital at the time due to COVID-like symptoms and a...
Doctor Doctor, Gimme the News
July 6, 2020 - I finished the last of my scheduled doctor's appointment this afternoon - annual physical. Everything was fine according to my internist. I've been with this same doctor for perhaps 25 years. He knows as much about my health as I do. After last year's...
They Say It’s Your Birthday!
May 22, 2020 - To say that my birthday (May 20th) helped restore my faith in humanity would be a bit hyperbolic. I would say, however, that the outpouring of well wishes and Happy Birthdays from friends, colleagues, and family meant so much to me. Obviously, I enjoyed...
Corona Blues (A Picture of Quarantine) – Part Four
May 18, 2020 - Here's the fourth (and final!) installment in my pictorial journey through self-imposed home quarantine. As I said in my first post (see Part One), I wanted to keep this light with some humor thrown in. These last four weeks, however, have...
Corona Blues (A Picture of Quarantine) – Part Three
April 25, 2020 - Here's the third installment in my pictorial journey through self-imposed home quarantine. As I said in my first post (see Part One), I want to keep this light with some humor thrown in. However, as the pandemic wears on, my mood has become much...