Clint Kicks Cancer

Stealthbelt chose me as their new Ostomy Belt Model, I am happy to announce! See below.(J/K, btw). I'm getting one of these bad boys to help support my ostomy (while I have it).

Had my second round of Chemo yesterday. A typical visit starts with a blood draw to ensure White Blood Count (WBC) levels are where they need to be to proceed. Then, a visit with the Oncologist follows the blood draw. It's scheduled for 20 minutes with the Oncologist. This visit took an hour! Here is a breakdown of what we learned:

1. This is a sporadic version of Colon Cancer, meaning it is not hereditary, with a 100% assurity.

2. I have a Micro Satellite Stable (MSS) version of Colon Cancer. This means that the current immunotherapy available for Colon Cancer is unlikely to have an effect on my type. Basically, my cancer cells do not look abnormal enough for my immune sytem to recognize them as a foreign body. Therefore, it will not attach the cancer cells, because it doesn't think anything is wrong (bad news).

3. I also have a KRAS mutation on my cancer cells. This means that the current therapies they have that they use to specifially target the liver mets, to further shrink the tumors, after this set of treatment I'm currently on, will not work on me (more bad news).

4. Gameplan is still in tact, we will continue with FolFox + Avastin treatment. He wants me to get a scan after my 4th treatment, and then meet with a Liver Surgeon at MD Anderson in Houston. The surgeon will determine if he believes I will be a candidate for resection after an additional amount of treatments in Utah. (THIS IS GREAT NEWS!) He will also, most likely, perform my ostomy reversal, at the same time. YAY!!!

So, some good news, and some bad news, but bottom line is that the gamplan still is in tact! We're going to shrink these liver mets down as far as we can and then cut out what is left!

I appreciate everyone's support, including Jamieson, who wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one getting blowouts in the family. "You're not cool unless you poop your pants!" he said, right before this picture was snapped.

Well, it's a little bit different than I thought it would be, in a good way!

Before we started the treatment this morning, we met with our Oncologist who shared some great news, with a little bit of sombering news.

There are no other signs of Cancer in any part of my body, except for the liver metastasis (mets) that we already knew about.

The problem is (at least from my seat), there are a large volume of liver mets, and a half dozen of them are quite large... could have been the resolution or zoom feature, but I was like "Dang Gina!"

Anyways, good new is we started Chemo today and the idea is that we freeze the number and size of the mets in their tracks, and start to shrink and eliminate them. The ultimate goal is to get my liver to an operable state.

I got to use my Super Power Port today, and this thing is awesome!

Again, although I appreciate all the wonderful and color comments about my chest, let's stay focused.

It took all but about 5 seconds to access it and draw enough blood for my labs. Then, 30 minutes of Avastin, which is a targeted drug that cuts off blood supply to the tumors.

Next, Oxaliplatin and Flouorouracil (5-FU), which destroy Colon Cancer cells.

Finally a pump is given to me to take home (Yay!) for 46 hours of continuous treatment as cancer cells are on a 24 hour resistance cycle. So, cells that are resistant today, are not resistant tomorrow, so there needed to be a prolonged treatment approach.

Fanny Packs and Man Purses are so hot right now!

There are too many side effects to list, but here are the highlights:

1. No hair loss - I wasn't scared cause I know I'd look good either way :)!

2. Sensitivity in my fingers, toes and mouth to cold. So, no reaching into the fridge for a can. I've tried a cold drink and it feels like I'm drinking shards of glass. This wears off after 3 days.

I repeat this cycle every other week for 12 total treatments.

More updates to come.

Thanks for all the love and support!

Wow! These Doctors don't mess around!

I met with my Oncologist on Tuesday. He introduced me to Danny, his Patient Advocate, who basically makes sure we don't get hosed by our insurance, among other things like getting me involved in support groups, yoga (nope...), and other cool things. There's even a fly fishing three day retreat in early June. I doubt I'll be able to go, but it's nice knowing they have a great support program at the Utah Cancer Specialists!

By the end of my appointment, my Dr. had me scheduled for a minor surgery to insert a "power port" and a PET Scan, all within a few days of leaving his office.

I have to say that I'm increasingly amazed at how our Heavely Father, Universe, or whatever you want to call it, puts us in positions for success, if only we're looking for it and prepared to capitalize on their offerings. I was blessed to meet my team of doctors, just when I thought I couldn't be in a darker place...

So, I have a Power Port. What's a Power Port you ask? It's an easy way for the nurses, doctors, and technicians to administer my medicines to me without poking my arm every time.

Out of the box, the Power Port looks like a small bottle cap, with some sort of silicone top. A thin tube comes off one side of it. After getting sedated, the surgeon places one end of the tube into my jugular vein, and the other end he threads back down my chest about 6 inches, where he makes about a 2 inch incision and puts the Port under the skin, and attaches the tube. I got sewn back up, and released within a couple of hours.

Don't be jealous of the chest hair...

The idea is that round after round of chemo can destroy your veins in your arms. This will also allow for quick access for those trained to use the Port to extract blood for labs and quickly give doses of medication if needed.

It makes me feel like a super human!

Two days after my Port install, I had my first PET scan. A PET scan is a much more in depth CT scan. I laid under the machine for about 20 minutes while it took pictures. It should be noted that I did have to get some type of radiation injected into me prior to the PET scan. Enough where no one else could be within 6 feet of me for 45 minutes.

The PET scan will measure the tumors on my liver so we can see how well I'm responding about 3 months into my treatment by taking another PET scan and comparing it to my first scan.

The PET scan will also allow us to see if there is any cancer in any other part of my body, from my eyebrows to my kneecaps.

Honestly, I'm getting a little nervous for Tuesday (first day of chemo), but I know this is what is best for me, right now.

I appreciate all the support I've received. Everyone I've talked to says "let me know how I can help", which is awesome! I wish I had something for everyone to do. If anything, please keep my family in your prayers and thoughts. Please send good vibes our way. Believe me, it helps.

I'll updat after this first round... wish me luck!

Easter 2017 ended up being "one of those days". Now, I'm not talking about one of those days where you run out of gas, or leave a bag in the shopping cart after you've paid for it, or both...

I'm talking about one of those life changing days.

We've all had them. I know I've had my fair share of joyous, life changing days. The day I got married, the birth of my first child (and two more births), a big promotion at work...

I wish I could say Easter 2017 was like one of those days... It was life changing, but it was nothing remotely close to joyous.

I've had a few of those days in my life as well. Instant, raw emotion would say there is nothing good about these kind of days. They're just bad.

I'd argue, based upon experience, that these days can become some of the most positive and impactful days of our lives. These are the days you'd never wish on your enemy, but never give up for any amount of money.

May 8, 2009, as an example, was the worst day of my life, to that date. I lost my boy, my flesh and blood, to the State, because of a bad substance abuse problem that was affecting my ability to raise him as he deserved.

This is another story for another blog, but my point is that after years of hard work and determination, many triumphs and defeats, good days and bad days, I can honestly say that May 8, 2009 was one of the best days of my life, because it has had the largest positive impact on my family and I. Curious as to why I feel that way? Just ask, I'm happy to discuss it.

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer on Easter, April 16, 2017. Like I said, it was one of those days...

There have already been some bad days since. I've had a hemicolectomy procedure and two inpatient stays at local hospitals. There will be many more bad days with chemotherapy starting in a week or so to shrink the tumors on my liver.

There have been great days as well! I've had family come up and/or call, neighbors rally to help, friends and coworkers that have offered their love and support.

Yep, one of those days...

We're still learning about all of this. I've become a citizen of "Colontown", which is a great community of Colon Cancer patients, survivors and caretakers that share their knowledge and encouragement.

Kim and I are optimistic! We'll do everything we can to beat it, and when we do, oh what a beautiful day Easter 2017 will be!!!

Even on the darkest of nights, the stars shine bright...

Stumble forward - RW

Sorry, had to throw one last picture in. Kim and I think Jamieson looks just like Chris Farley in this one:

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