Score So Far: Joe 2, Cancer 0

It's hard to describe my experiences over the past few months.  Cancer is such a loaded term with many meanings to so many different people, that saying, "I have cancer"  isn't really a good descriptor of what I actually had to go through.  On the other hand, getting overly technical isn't very effective either.  Most of us aren't really equipped to have a discussion about the finite differences between a"Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma with a proliferative index >95%, and a more understandable, Burkitt's Lymphoma.  A conversation about the specific origins of a chemotherapy agent, or the specific genetic mutations that contribute to my disease, I've found, are a good way to make people bored with the conversation, or make them wish they paid better attention during high school science class.  

I'm a firm believer that there is very little in life that can't be made better with a sports analogy, so for the past few weeks I've been trying to figure out what the best analogy would be.  Baseball???  kind of like cancer in that you spend a long time waiting for a little bit of action.  One could probably say something about how both baseball and cancer are nearly impossible to explain to someone who has never played the game.  have you tried to explain baseball to someone who's never played.  "so there is this guy named the pitcher, and he throws a ball to a batter, who tries to hit the ball.  He get's three chances or he strikes out.......  It's complicated.

I tried coming up with an analogy about cancer and ice skating, but slipped. (did you see that pun there?) 

I finally settled on an analogy between cancer and a boxing match.  In the imaginary boxing match of Joe vs Cancer, the score so far appears to be Joe 2.  Cancer, 0.  This isn't to say that cancer didn't get some good punches in.  At the end of this most recent match cancer took a fair amount out of me.  I'm 34lbs lighter now than when I started.  I have a distinctly bald head, and even my impressive eyebrows have started to thin out.  I think I have the strength of a 12 year old girl, and some ongoing tingling in my fingers and toes.  In what appears to be cancer's final blow to the midsection, I found out today that I have a Deep Vein Thrombosis embedded near my jugular.  Nothing too serious, but it does mean that I get to be on blood thinners for a lot longer than I originally anticipated.  Interestingly, the DVT was found today when I went in for my Final CT scan.  

I've had to cancel my knife fighting classes that I had scheduled, as well as cancelling my bouts as an ultimate fighter.    Touche cancer.

Despite having been put through the ringer in this latest bout, I can say with elation that I think I whooped this thing.  

I'm very happy to say that not only was I able to do this almost a decade ago, but I was able to do it again.  

Joe: 2                    Cancer: 0

The bell appears to have rung in this most recent round, and I appear to be the victor.  I'm hoping that I will be able to hang up my gloves and retire from this fight for good.  

Without belaboring the analogy too much, I will say that this whole endeavor would have been much more difficult without the numerous people in my corner.  I don't know a lot of people who have the ability to compare cancer experiences within themselves, but I can definitely say that this cancer has been waaay better than the last cancer.  I think a lot of that has to do with the amazing support system that has been there to help me and my family.  My sincerest thanks go out to each of you.    

I'm not sure what this space is going to become in the future.  I anticipate that in the short term there will still be some cancer related stories and news that I might want to share, but long term.... who knows.  I've found that I have liked writing this blog, and I've heard that some have found it entertaining if probably not that informative.  If I were less lazy I'd take up blogging as a hobby and use it to hone my writing skills.  I am lazy though, and therefore, unwilling to commit to anything.  Maybe I'll find something compelling to write about and that can fill this space.  We shall see what the future holds....