My Cancer Journey Continues

Six months ago, on July 16, 2021, as a surgeon, I biopsied my own right thumb nailbed because I was suspicious for melanoma.  Just a few days later, on July 21, 2021, I received a call from one of our pathologists that melanoma was confirmed, an acral melanoma, which is an aggressive type. The tumor was also very deep, typically a sign of advanced disease and decreased survival rates. For those of you who have been following my cancer journey, you know that my life changed suddenly at that time. I underwent amputation of half of my dominant right-hand thumb, underwent a sentinel node biopsy, and now am receiving a year long course of infusions of a drug called Keytruda. As a physician, I tried to explain these procedures in earlier blogs to help other melanoma patients understand the process better. My life has also changed in many ways to a simpler life, focusing more on wellness and spiritual transformation. So where are we now?

Six Months Later and Some Good News!

This week was a big week for me. I underwent CT scans of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Lots of friends and family were praying for me because there were some small liver lesions that were found on my last set of scans. However, the great news, and answered prayer, is that those lesions were stable and unchanged! Overall, there is no evidence of any metastatic disease (recurrent tumor) in my chest, abdomen, or pelvis. My scans are clear…except for healing rib fractures related to the bike wreck I wrote about 2 blogs ago! I am doing well 6 months out from my diagnosis! All my lab work came back normal as well, with some values improving with my new anti-cancer diet and exercise regimen (more to come).

Infusion Time

After the imaging on Wednesday of this week, I had another infusion of Keytruda on Thursday.  This is my 6^th infusion out of ten planned infusions.  I had a blood draw and three separate IVs this week (one infiltrated), so my arms look like a war zone. And there is nothing like getting cancer therapy in the middle of a pandemic. I see many Covid positive patients each week in my own clinic, and one concern I had was potentially getting Covid from one of them, which would delay my treatment. But all went well, and I continue to tolerate my infusions well without any of the serious complications associated with this medication.

 Moving Forward

Unless you have experienced it, it is hard to describe how the diagnosis of cancer impacts one’s life. It is hard to describe the anxiety of the night before further testing, and the feeling you have laying there in the scanner wondering what the imaging is discovering. It not only affects you, but also the lives of those around you: your family, your friends, your coworkers. My wife Kellee and both of our families have felt the emotional impact of my diagnosis. Those of you who follow this blog continue to walk through this journey with me and support me. My relationship with my patients has deepened, and I have learned the power of the human body to adapt, helping me to return to the clinic and the operating room. God continues to give me the mental, physical, and emotional strength to ride out this stormy season of my life. He has drawn me closer to Him, to a different way of life more focused on things of eternal worth. He has given me this platform, and a testimony. I hope that my thoughts, words, and actions moving forward are pleasing to Him.

So many people have reached out and touched me with their love and warmth. Just this week, Sally, mother of our son-in-law, brought Kellee and I dinner after my infusion; and one of my nurses, Kerri, made some of my favorite treats as well. It amazes me the generosity that continues many months after my diagnosis.  I pledge to do the same for others going through difficult seasons in their lives.

Coming up, I plan to share some aspects of my anti-cancer diet.  I will also share some generalized medical advice, based on sound science, for those fighting cancer and for those interested in healthier lifestyles and preventing cancer.   I also plan to share some patient stories. Thanks for following my story in real time as it continues to unfold.

I have been writing this blog to give my perspective of a surgeon becoming a patient, to give some perspective to other cancer patients, to share my faith, and to allow my friends and patients to keep track of my progress.

Battling Bitterness

This past year has given me more trials and adversity to date than I have ever faced in life. As you know, I decided to share it all with you. You guys have walked with me through a diagnosis of malignant melanoma after I biopsied my own thumb, through a surgery in which I lost part of my dominant hand thumb, through ongoing immunotherapy infusions , through the process of learning how to see patients and return to the operating room, and through a major bicycle wreck with polytrauma including a pneumothorax. I am thankful for the unconditional love of my wife Kellee. I am thankful for the endless support of my immediate and large extended family; I could not have made it through this year without you. Thanks Pastor Jack…you are family also. Thanks for the love and support of Pastor Tom and my church family at Brook Hollow Baptist Church, as I consider you family also. Thanks to the other doctors in my medical practice and all the staff that have supported me so well. I love all you guys!

Pastor Alistair Begg relates that “suffering in and of itself does not lead a person into a deeper relationship with God. In other words, suffering will either make us run to God or away from Him. In the midst of trials, we must ask ourselves, “Is this trial making me bitter and callous, or is it making me loving and gentle?”  As a human, I continue to feel the battle oscillate within me between bitterness and a Christ-like attitude. I will continue to trust in God that He has greater plan for me, and that He loves me so much that life altering circumstances are drawing me closer to Him. He is giving me a testimony to share with you guys.

New Year’s Resolutions

I would like to share my experience with New Year’s resolutions last year. Every year I would make some “New Year’s resolutions” and rarely take them very seriously. However, last year in 2021, I decided to put in writing my goals for 2021, which would be a first for me. Then, I shared them with several close friends to keep me accountable. As all of you know who are actively following my cancer journey through this blog (now several hundred), I have been completely transparent. So…. here were my goals for 2021:

1. Slow down and simplify
2. Daily prayer time
3. Limit information from phone
4. Daily exercise
5. Eat well and healthy (decrease sweets)
6. Read at least 12 books (one per month and not related to my medical reading)
7. Goal weight 215
8. Connect with friends

Well, I would love to say that through my own perseverance and discipline that I accomplished every one of those goals, but I cannot take any credit. I spent much time in prayer asking for the discipline to accomplish my goals. Folks, be careful how you pray, because sometimes your answered prayer does not always look the way we envision it. If someone had told me in early 2021 that I needed to work less, sell my home and downsize, focus more on wellness, and greatly simplify my life, I likely would have laughed at them. However, the diagnosis of cancer was the impetus that effected my behavioral change.

Mission Accomplished

For those of you who have been following my blog, you know how all those actions came to fruition. As I continue to undergo treatment, Kellee and I have moved, and I have lessened my work schedule. I cannot control everything about my cancer diagnosis, but I have worked hard on the activities I can control. I spend time in prayer and in the word of God daily, some days for hours.  I am eating healthy meals that provide immune-boosting ingredients that provide my body with what it needs to decrease inflammation.  This diet helps me fight cancer, heal better, counter side effects of chemotherapy, and hopefully will help me to have a more successful outcome.  I continue to exercise daily.  The diet combined with exercise helped me drop 17 pounds to 210, 5 pounds below my goal weight. I also read 14 books this year, 2 over my goal; but I could not keep up with my Kellee, who read 85 this year! Aside from spending more time with family, I made a commitment to spend time with my friends, some of whom I had gotten in the habit of just texting.  And you guys know who you are….just to name a few….Worrick, Dwight, Pat, James, Ronnie, Lee R., and Lee H.

2022

Moving forward in the new year, my wish is that this blog comforts just one other cancer patient or brings peace or comfort to any one of you!  Then, I will consider this endeavor time well spent! I have repeat scans this coming Wednesday, January 12, and another infusion of Keytruda next Thursday, January 13. Feel free to lift me up in prayer. You are a part of my story that is still being written!