I'd already contended with colon cancer 2012-2017, and had been diagnosed cancer-free near end of 2017.
January 6, 2023: Visited emergency room at Seton Hospital -- Downtown Austin, complaining about vomiting, headaches, balance issues and loss of appetite. Waited over 8 hours to be seen. Finally got some IVs. MRI performed early-morning January 7. A 5-hour cranial procedure followed on January 9 to relieve pressure on my brain.
On January 12, 2023, I was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer, a glioblastoma (6% survival rate), while lying in the ICU bed. A sobering experience, no doubt, comparable to a death sentence, and read to me by my oncologist who treated me 2012-2017. Doctor initially gave me 12-18 more months left in life.
Screw cancer. My loony *** gonna fight this SOB until hell freezes over and and then continue fighting out on the GD ice. I'm not giving it up. Hell no. I feel great right now, better than I've felt in many years.
Key takeaways so far:
- diet and exercise. Really loading up on Omega-3s and anti-oxidants. Little bit of weight training. Lots of long walks. Loving oysters, salmon, mackerel + other seafood I should have been eating earlier before this started. Also indulging on some walnuts, pecans and peanuts.
- radiation treatment: received first treatments Feb 16. Barfed violently and experienced massive pooping simultaneously during early morning after first blast. Only other time something so dramatic ever happened to me came after a mortar attack in Iraq back in early 2006 when my bowel and stomach acted crazy. Both instances scared the living hell outta me.
- chemo: I'm actually working remotely on my laptop while receiving infusions. Lucky to have a great director and fantastic support from friends, co-workers and family. Survived first week of chemo with just lightly upset stomach. Stay tuned for more reports from weeks to follow.
- stay focused: My cancer diagnosis not the end of the world, but rather a new beginning. Listen to doctors, watch what you eat and stress levels, and good things may happen. Remain optimistic!
Keep up the good fight and good luck