My Cancer Fight Returns

Daily Quote: "My cancer scare changed my life. I'm grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life. ~Olivia Newton-John

I sadly posted this update at my favorite running forum, About.com Running & Jogging Forum:

"Howdy!

Yesterday, I received the results of my routine cat-scan from last week. My cancer has spread to my back spine and my previous nodule on my chest in now twice the size. BUT, my neck and throat is still clear! I have more radiation in my near future. I'm waiting for the radiologist to call me and set an appointment...my radiation treatments will be five days a week, Monday through Friday. I don't know how the spine radiation will affect my driving a cab for 12 hours. The doctor stressed that additional chemotherapy would cause more harm than good at my current stage, therefore all I need to suffer with is radiation therapy now.

Also, I broke a left rib last Friday night from lifting a heavy toolbox into my cab. The only thing the doctor can do is give me pain pills (OXYCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN) and advocate icing and rest. I won't take pain medications when I'm driving. It'll take 3-4 months for my rib to heal. Currently I can barely walk with the pain, not alone run, but plan on returning to running when I'm healed.

Needless to say, currently I'm pretty depressed, but striving to be more positive. I must emphasize that my wife has been absolutely fantastic in her support of me...I am blessed.

I need to update my running blog once I'm in a more positive frame of mind...a spin on my mother's saying, "If you can't say anything positive, don't say anything at all."

Oh yeah, just discovered a link here had already started about me...you guys and gals are simply amazing!!!

Happy trails, Bruce"

I feel better today, I'm now back in my "Cancer KickAss Mode!"  I'm still waiting for a call from my new radiologist (my HMO has found a cheaper radiologist), but Dr. Parks already told me radiation treatments will be for five days a week, Monday through Friday; I only need the time and place.

The pain medicine OXYCODONE/ACETAMOPHEN does help with the sharp rib pain, but also causes me to feel tremendously nauseous.  I'm going to have to find a good solution to fight this nauseous.

Today is going to be a day of complete rest, although I tend to research spine cancer and will undoubtedly study and play chess too.