Stanford Medical- Mele Kalikimaka

As happens on journeys things can change direction at the last moment and flexibility has always served us well. Our plan to enjoy a few weeks of getting to know our surroundings and have some fun shifted to immediately starting a round chemotherapy upon the advice of our oncology team.  This is an 'extra' chemo round while I am waiting for the radiation treatments to begin mid-January. The doctors are hoping that a strong course of chemo while I am fit and strong will reduce the tumors before the main treatments begin.

I now look at this ‘bonus’ course as training for the marathon that will be ahead of us when the next rounds begin. *swimming metaphor, I am not jumping into that freezing pool with the Amazon women of Stanford* 

My super charged 'bonus' round punched a wallop but I am happy to report ‘all things considered’ I have weathered it very well.  Now I will have about 3 weeks to rebuild and be more prepared for what lies ahead.

We always prepare before a hurricane hits and I felt strong but definitely scared as this one approached. I knew I would feel bad physically but it didn’t occur to me that there would be a big psychological and emotional component to it. Breathing and meditating to help stabilize underlying fears of mortality as they edged their way to the forefront were completely dashed once the fluids started coursing through my veins. I believe that the much-needed steroids pushed me over the edge, my mind went haywire with uncontrollable racing thoughts, my body felt like constant ‘static-electricity’ all the while the tears never ceased to flow. Alas, now that the steroids are through my system I feel 'back' and myself again and am breathing with ease with no more static-electricity.

 

Whew, 3 consecutive days of chemo and 3 more of mania and I’m back. I have 3 weeks to train for the next rounds and this time I will know what is coming, we can do this. I say we because it is not just Janet and I on this journey, we both feel everyone holding and supporting us during this time, every one of you is helping Janet and I through this marathon.    

Here are 2 screen shots of scans showing my tumors before any treatments had begun. You can also see how cancer is navigated during Covid via tele-med. It's wonderful because both Janet and I can be together safe and sound in the comfort of our own temporary nest during each appointment.  Treatments are different, I must go alone. They allowed Janet to accompany me for the first treatment only. 

The Cancer center is very quiet and peaceful with only patients and medical staff and exquisite artwork everywhere, I feel completely supported at Stanford and am so happy to be here.

So let's all join in a toast to say good riddance to this miserable year! I with a laxative and Janet with a sedative to a new year of world health, high hopes, renewed vigor and a breath of fresh air in the White House!

Maui to California- Stanford Medical Center: Another Life Journey

Who knew that fishline would start our next life journey? Fast forward from the severe headache created from too many enthusiastic dives down to untangle a coral head to getting several scans at the ER. Turns out my head is just fine but scan of my neck just happened to include the top of my lungs. Here the bizarre twist of fate began when a mass appeared at the top of my right lung.

"May you live in interesting times." I think navigating a new lung cancer diagnosis during the Covid pandemic qualifies. I am choosing to jump over the weeks of shock, tears, angsts, anger and frustrations but they were all very present and wove in and out of our everyday life. Not being our first or even second journey down this cancer path both Janet and I have some idea what lies ahead, albeit the stakes feel much higher this time. So, this time rather than being caught in the distracting downward spiral of 'cancer' I am choosing to focus on the surrounding love and support of our Ohana and the beauty that is ever present in our world. I seek to keep the balance of being present in the beauty and love of this life while undergoing my cancer treatment and all that it entails. 

Here we go...After some phenomenal swims with all our ocean loving friends we wrapped up our lives in Maui to travel to Stanford Medical Center for treatment. 

 So we suited up and left our beautiful island of rainbows and landed on the campus of Stanford amongst the rainbow of autumn leaves.

 

Through well connected dear friends, a Covid vacancy and perhaps some good karma we landed in the perfect light filled cosy apartment right on Stanford campus, only a 6 minute drive to the medical center.  

In the week that we have been here we have enjoyed exploring the beautiful but eerily silent and empty campus. California is in serious Covid lock down and the usual 30,000 students faculty and staff are now only here virtually. 

Shortly after we arrived I got my pre-procedure Covid test, the level of care and protection for the staff and the public is impressive. 

My EBUS Endobronchial Ultrasound bronchoscopy biopsy followed 2 days later. Once again I am impressed with the efficiency, professionalism and care I am receiving here at Stanford. Yesterday we met with our Oncology team (tele-health), we are all still awaiting the final pathology report but they did give us an approximate idea of the diagnosis and treatment journey. They believe it is the most common lung cancer for a non-smoker; non small cell adenocarcinoma. The treatment will most likely be 6 weeks of radiation with 2 concurrent chemotherapy treatments followed by a year of bi-monthly immunotherapy. This will all start in about 4 weeks while I have more tests and the specific treatment course for me is formulated. 

As is our tradition after 'big' medical appointments we headed to the best local ice cream parlor we could find. We had several choices which I am sure will all be tried eventually!  Accompanied by our traveling family we all enjoyed the treat enormously. 

 

Photo Credit: Thank you Don Bloom for all the beautiful Maui ocean photographs. 

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