No Radiation Equals Opportunity

I always like to be an active blogger the thing is coming up with meaningful content is at times quite a challenge, especially when the week past has just been well…everyday life. I’ve even run out of new content to put up on my YouTube channel, which will be remedied after next weeks seven day trip up to the Temagami Region. I’m even already packed up and ready to go, usually I pack up the day or even night before, so this just feels wrong, lol. With a down week here I was able to rest and prepare for what will be a busy August and I’m fully booked up. I had planned on another four night trip over the long weekend, but a reminder call about an echocardiogram put the brakes on that. This was the a routine scan and since my last one was about four years ago probably overdue. Seems to always be an appointment to go to and they are always untimely! It’s the Life…

Why This Type of Imagining is needed?

They do this because Neuroendrocrine cancer can throw your hormones out of whack, big time! I’ve mentioned this before but it’s called carcinoid syndrome and it can mean have flushing of the skin, fatigue, everyones favourite diarrhea (sometimes severe) and also can have damaging affects on the heart valve, along with other complications. That is why the scan is needed and it’s one of those procedures that is sometimes overlooked and important for the patient to ask the doctor about. Mine was done Tuesday morning and took only about fifteen minutes to complete and I’m pretty sure my ticker is the least of my worries given my blood pressure was 106/68 and a pulse of 46 bpm. She asked if I was on heart medication? “Nope, I just jog and exercise”, was my answer, this is one test I’m 100% will come back with no issues, although as a cancer patient I know it’s necessary and I’m fortunate to have doctors that feel the same.

What’s Next Up for Treatment

As you all know now after my case was presented to the tumour board twice and twice they came to the conclusion that radiation wasn’t necessary at this time. Besides going to my monthly injections (those will never stop) and I believe those shots, along with my lifestyle are the main reasons my body has been able to hold up this long. Although the radiation seems to be off the table for now the specialist from London has called to book a follow up CT scan to be done by the end of November. In his words he figures that odds something in that time will change drastically is very slim and if all is good I will just go back to my original medical oncologist and keep, keeping on. He also did say though that now they are familiar with my case I will be on their radar and I’m under no illusion that one day this treatment will be needed, but for now the summer plans will not be interrupted and between camping and keeping up with my YouTube channel and most importantly head out to Edmonton at the end of the month to visit my brother and head to the Metallica concert!!

Random Thoughts

It’s a funny thing after hearing news that the next stage in treatment isn’t necessary yet, while I’m very happy to know that my body is doing a good job on its own to ward off the disease I always am left now with the lingering thought of when it will eventually happen. Also, it’s also a major adrenaline and emotional dump, I was so sure that the treatment was going to happen that in my head I was already planning how to lay out the months ahead, having to isolate, how I would react and how it would affect my life going forward, there was a lot of unknowns that left me just wondering what life would look like afterwards. Some people say it had zero side effects, while others got pretty sick, it all depends on your make-up I guess? These are now questions I can put in the back of my mind until another day, hopefully years down the road. We all have battles in this life, how we choose to meet them is what will define you in the end. I have dodged a bullet for now and will do the best to make the most of this gifted time, whether it’d be travelling, seeing friends and family, exploring and doing my best to bring you along. There’s a lot of living and learning to do, I’m also sometimes a bit of a procrastinator, a label I’m trying to shed, even though it may seem I’ve always got something on the go, there is also a lot time I use thinking about what I should be doing, trying to flip that script is a tough one as doing things the easy way are just that too easy. Attempting to slowly edge myself away from the comfort is the only way to change and now that I’ve been granted a get out of jail free card for now, I will try to push myself even further from those comforts we all enjoy so much. Also don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel, so far there’s just wilderness travel, but I hope to add more content in the future.