My apologies to anyone for which this is news. But no one gets out alive. Not my intent in any way to be dark or morbid. It just is. Lately, I have been feeling a tad like that carton of milk that sits on the inside shelf of your refrigerator. Sitting there waiting to be enjoyed for a period of time before that firmly stamped ‘Best if Used By” expires. I know - some of you are thinking - Nick, your -best if used by - was over 30 years ago. That is a discussion for another day.
Early on with my oncologist, Dr Kim asked me if I knew this was not a good cancer. I said I was aware. Of course there are no good cancers but mine is aggressive. He followed up with the fact he has a number of patients still going strong after 5-7 years. This was during a period when we were discussing care, treatment and expectations etc. and he wanted me to be apprised of all the implications which I greatly appreciated.
In the ensuing months this had not again been a topic of conversation. I had one MRI, CT scan that showed some shrinkage and the following ones have shown no growth or spreading of the disease. But I believe it was my May 1 appointment that Dr Kim brought up the 5 - 7 year group. I mentioned this to my long time friend, Kevin over breakfast. He said to tell the Dr. that you are well aware of the 5 - 7 year guys, you want to hear about the 15 - 20 year guys.
Anyway, at my appointment at the end of May, the good Dr. once again mentioned that darn group. Do not get me wrong. I love Dr Kim and my entire medical team. While oncologists can be direct I also feel they are some of the most compassionate. They are with their patients for the entire journey.
Perhaps this is simply his way of saying - Nick, live your life. On that note we do have an upcoming trip to Paris. I am at about the 9 month mark of this journey. I have spent the last few months regaining my health after some severe side effects from when I was on two drugs for the immunotherapy. I am now substantially better. While having gained the weight back my waistline is an inch smaller - to the good.
But the - live your life - is a valid comment for us all. Three simple words yet so complex. We are all at different places in our life but we all need to find the joy.
Stay Strong, Be Humble, Be Kind & God Bless!