Rock 'n Roll

My dad’s back home and doing well after his latest trip to Boston, where they detected no major problems and are contemplating his next round of treatments, etc. He is still very tired and not 100% but my folks are relieved that there are no major complications with that previous procedure and they can now focus on what’s next in the treatment pipeline – looks like possibly Erbitux again or another round of Chemo, no rest for the weary!

I have now completed 5 of 8 treatments, am feeling physically strong and ready to push hard to the finish line and put this chapter of my life behind me. I felt great all day today; spent the day over at our new location in Falmouth getting things set-up for our opening on Monday – lots of lifting, moving, cleaning, etc. and I really felt strong. Went and got my shot of NeuLasta after I got done there and am looking forward to a great weekend, with some great friends.

At the outset we believed that the Chemo had a cumulative effect, meaning it was presumed I would slowly degrade as the treatments wore on, however now that I am over halfway done it appears to me that my body is actually getting used to the treatment and the drugs and I am actually feeling better with each successive treatment…knock on wood with that statement but I really can’t believe how good I have felt.

So tomorrow it’s another full day of work and then hopefully a cookout at a friend’s house tomorrow night, followed by golf on Saturday with the boys from BC (Bugbee, Neil, Dave) and then we meet up with the ladies for an afternoon on the Cape. Sunday may squeeze in a little more golf and then it’s time for our weekly drubbing in Softball, though I can feel a win coming in the not too distant future, maybe that will be my good news to report from the weekend?

Hope all is well with all of you, talk soon…Gary

CT Results

"No traces of anything abnormal..."
Great news, we're out to dinner celebrating!
Cheers, Gary

Update

My dad had to go back to Boston, via ambulance, again yesterday as he was coughing up blood and no feeling well at all…they are scheduled to do a bronchoscopy this morning and get some better images so they can determine what the problem is and what they can do to help things along.  I spoke with him yesterday evening and he still sounds remarkably upbeat; I think he was just incredibly happy to have made it through all the festivities of the wedding weekend without any affects of the procedure, and though this isn’t what he wanted to be doing, at least it didn’t happen in Newport and he was able to really enjoy himself the entire time.

We’re very busy here at work preparing to open our new store in Falmouth next Monday and I am very excited to get to the oncologist this afternoon and learn about the CT Scan results.  Treatment is tomorrow morning at 9am (which I’m dreading) and I’ll have plenty to do to keep me busy for the remainder of the week.  I have some friends from BC coming down this weekend (Bugbee, Katie, Dave, Bridget, and Neil) and I’m really looking forward to having a good time with them.

So, per usual, things are a little less than ideal, but overall we’re very pleased with how things are going and hopeful that things will improve with my dad and we can get him home by the middle of the week.  I remain upbeat about my condition and am already looking forward to the things I may be able to do following my treatments; ways I could give back to the community and help support other individuals who will share a common diagnosis and struggle with me.  This disease, and my dad’s, have opened my eyes to the thousands of people who struggle every day to get through life, and I have to believe that there are things I can do in the future to help, ways to give back, and a mechanism for me to thank the numerous caregivers who have done so much to help and comfort me throughout my diagnosis and treatment process.  What can I do?  I don’t really know yet, but I’m working on it and I look forward to making something positive out of this challenge and am confident I can.

I’ll post something quick this evening about the results of the scan and I truly appreciate all of your heartfelt support and thoughts…I continue to be wowed at how many people come here, read this stuff about my life, and actually enjoy it – thank you all!  Gary

Wedding and Weekend

What a weekend…we had a blast in Newport with the beach, rehearsal dinner, golf, the wedding, the reception, the after-party, the brunch – it was incredible!  I should have some pictures ready to post soon and will write more then.

Saturday night we went to another wedding here on the Cape (Chuckie and Gina for those of you who know them) and had a great time, though we cut that one a little shorter as we were pretty tired at that point.  Last night we were at the Cape & Islands United Way “Best Night of the Year” and had a great time there as well…the evening ended with an incredible fireworks display over the 18^th fairway at Willowbend – it seemed a fitting end to our weekend and to the evening.

Blood work is today, tomorrow at 4:20p I should get the CT Scan results and I am excited for the news there, which I expect to be overwhelmingly positive; then it’s treatment #5 on Wednesday.

I’ll put more up on the weekend and the wedding when I have time, and I will be sure to put a post up tomorrow afternoon as soon as I get the news from Dr. Aviles on the CT results. 

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekends, Gary

Big 2-9

So, I survived the night and am now officially 29, which means I have one more year until I am officially “old.”  Quick joke to start the day – no offense, but I’m quite sure I’ll get some juicy feedback for that line.

Playing in the New England Medical Equipment Dealers (NEMED) Golf Tournament today and am excited to catch up with some industry folks from around New England who I haven’t seen in quite a while.  We’ll talk about the standard stuff; new commode models, the hot adult-diaper upgrades for ’08, etc.  NEMED is a wonderful organization; I just know a lot of you wonder what we get into at these industry events, conferences, etc. and I’m well aware that several of my college friends are fascinated by some of the equipment and products we deal in.  The events are great for networking and talking to other providers about what’s working in their area and catching up with the vendors on what they’re doing and putting together for the future – then there’s the inevitable legislative discussions focusing on the woes of dealing with Medicare and what they’ll do next to stifle our industry.  But I’m quite sure many of you say, “a medical equipment dealer’s conference…that must be a blast,” and truth be told it is.  There are some really great people in our industry and we manage to have a good time when we can get together.

Tonight it’s dinner with the family and then we’re off to Newport tomorrow morning.  We have another wedding on the Cape Saturday and then the Cape & Islands United Way Best Night of the Year on Sunday. So it’s a busy weekend and I’ll be AWOL for a while…physically I feel wonderful and my spirits are very high as I look forward to getting back CT Scan results next Tuesday from Dr. Aviles.

I thank everyone for their wonderful words of support for our entire family, particularly for my dad, who is home and doing very well and is VERY excited for the wedding and all the festivities.  I look forward to some good news next week and hope everyone has a wonderful weekend…Gary

Cat Scan

This morning I had my mid-term exam - the CT Scan to see how the treatment is fighting the cancer. Of course I failed to get or drink the solution last night so the 15 minute procedure turned into a 3 hour process of going to the hospital, finding out I was supposed to drink the stuff (Barium shake), leaving with said stuff, drinking it (the vanilla isn't that bad), and coming back a few hours later for the scan. I sneezed again during the scan so I had to stay for "observation" - in this case observation means sit in the waiting room with an old issue of Time Magazine until the technician tells you it's okay to leave...I was fine.

So, next Tuesday (6/26) I will meet with the oncologist for our usual night-before-chemo meeting, where we will also learn the results of the CT Scan - which I am confident will be good.

My dad is on his way home now and feeling very well...I spoke with him this morning and he's excited to get back home and then head down to Newport for the wedding - which we're all really looking forward to, it's been a bright spot for our family for many months now and we're all very excited to get down there and have a big celebration. Kevin and his girlfriend, Katie, are home already and we're all getting together tomorrow night for me to bid adieu to 28...I head into the last year of my twenties tomorrow and am looking forward to mom's lasagna and a great night at my folks house with the family.

All else is well and I'm excited for a few days off in Newport - talk soon, Gary

PS - That is our cat in the upper corner, "Precious Girl," so named by her loving mother Kristina...this is the same cat that DID NOT give me "cat scratch fever."

Weekend Update

Weekend was kind of wild; Friday afternoon my dad was transported, via ambulance, from Falmouth Hospital to Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. He had a Bronchoscopy done in Falmouth where they found a tumor obstructing one of the airways going into the lung...there was a danger that if they let things go and he was to catch an infection that he would risk serious damage. Unfortunately he ended up sitting in the hospital for the entire weekend with no progress; he wasn't even on antibiotics or anything. He is scheduled to go into surgery shortly, 10am Monday, and should be able to return home to rest for the wedding this afternoon or tomorrow at the latest.

Kristina and I went up to visit him yesterday for Father's Day and he was doing pretty well - in good spirits considering everything he had been through. Kevin flew in last night for the wedding and Mike picked him up at the airport and they went over to catch the end of the U.S. Open with my dad. Not an ideal Father's Day, but through the last year I think our family has learned a lot about making the best of things and I think we were all happy enough to be able to spend some time with him yesterday and celebrate Father's Day with our dad.

I felt pretty well over the weekend and got in a lot of activity...Friday night Kristina and I headed out to a benefit for the Alzheimer's Association of the Cape & Islands, then went to a comedy show with the Cape Cod Young Professionals...it was a late night for me but I ran into a lot of people and was happy to be out and about. Saturday I played golf in Easton with a group of guys I play with once a month, and had a great time. I was having a nice round until the 15th, when I wanted to curl up in a ball and go to sleep in the fairway...I just flat ran out of steam - shot +9 on the last 4 holes and ended up with an 87. I was in great position to have a great round - but I blew it. When I told my brother he said, "sure, blame Chemo," tough crowd in my family - but obviously we all still have our sense of humor about us. Saturday night we headed out to dinner with another couple and Sunday was Father's Day in Boston, and then our weekly beating in softball...this week we managed to drop both games of a doubleheader - couple of late inning rallies fell short - oh well, we'll win one someday.

So, our thoughts right now are with my dad and we're very hopeful the surgery will be a success and he'll recover in plenty of time to tear it up at the wedding. I'll update when I know more - thanks for coming by and Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there! - Gary

Halfway Done

Treatment went well today and marks my halfway point in the treatment process – which is a big mental hurdle to cross.  I have begun to really dread going and the subsequent feelings of extreme fatigue and other associated symptoms.  The days of looking at treatment as a quiet few hours to myself seem like a distant memory at this point as the reality of the process has sunk in a little further…but I remain positive about everything and hungry to continue beating this disease and being able to live some semblance of a normal life in the process.

I came home from treatment and managed to sleep for the remainder of the day, that felt great and I got up and went for a walk with Kristina – always nice to get a little fresh air. 

Looking forward to this weekend and to getting in a few rounds of golf, one with my dad on Father’s Day, and getting my youngest brother home on Sunday…he’s coming in with his girlfriend for the wedding a few days early, so it will be great to get together with everyone for more than just a few hours at the wedding.  I’ll only know tomorrow how I will feel for the next few days and am hopeful that I can get in and get some much needed work done before the weekend comes and then next week will be short as we head down to Newport, RI for Mike’s wedding.

So, halfway done…it’s a big deal for me and I cannot wait to get 100% complete with the chemo process, get some time off and then prepare for the radiation, which should be much easier than chemo.

Cheers,

Gary

# 4...Tomorrow

Attended my oncology appointment this afternoon and things remain good, in terms of my blood results and the normal course of treatment. The doctor remains positive about how things are progressing; we will have some CT Scan results by our next appointment, which should show us how the treatment is affecting the cancer. I am even more confident that things are going well and that my body is reacting well to the treatments...time will ultimately tell how things are going but I am confident and comfortable that everything is going to plan and I will be Cancer free in the not too distant future.
I moved back my treatment time for tomorrow to attend a meeting, in an advisory capacity, with the VNA of Cape Cod and do a tour of the new wing of Cape Cod Hospital. This new tower at the hospital marked a continuing commitment by Cape Codders and Cape Cod Healthcare in continuing to advance the level of healthcare services and facilities available here on Cape Cod. I look forward to seeing the new tower and taking in what I hear are amazing views of Hyannis Harbor.
As someone who is currently benefiting from the level and scope of services available right here on the Cape, I am tremendously thankful for the innovative environment present here and further believe this innovation will need to continue for the next generation of Cape Codders to receive and benefit from healthcare services closer to home. There is also a confidence issue for many to overcome; there are still those who believe the services available here are sub-standard and that one is much better off turning to the academic hospitals of Boston to receive their care. While Boston is undoubtedly a premiere healthcare center, I feel that many people underestimate the level of service and expertise here. I have first hand experience with my own and my father's treatment, as well as with my fiance's mother's open heart surgery at Cape Cod Hospital last year...the care here is of a very high quality and continues to get better and I feel very fortunate to be able to go through my treatments so close to home, family and work.
So, tomorrow will get me to 50% complete and I am very happy to be where I am in this process and to be handling things so well to this point. Thanks again for coming by, the support has been tremendous and I am so happy to have so many wonderful people in all different areas of my life.

Why don't I write about Cancer anymore?

The weekend has been good so far, as we celebrated my mom's birthday yesterday with a movie and dinner and I was able to catch up with some friends Friday night for dinner as well. This morning we're planning on heading out to brunch, relaxing for the better part of the day and then playing softball tonight.

The Falmouth Chamber event was a great time on Thursday night as we headed over to Vineyard Haven, Oaks Bluff and then back to Falmouth. Same some familiar faces and met a number of new people as well...Falmouth is a large town and often gets a rap that it's closed off from the rest of the Cape. Many people don't like to go there and others don't like to leave (driving issues primarily), so it becomes a very distinct Cape community where folks all know each other very well and do quite a bit of business in their own town. We're looking forward to becoming a part of the fabric of the town and working hard to be a trusted provider of services to the residents there.

It has occurred to me lately that I am writing less and less about Lymphoma, and more and more about business and life; that has sort of been the trajectory of my cancer to this point. At the beginning it was a very consuming diagnosis; I spent all of my free time researching it and trying to learn more about it and how it may affect me. As time and treatments went on it became more just a normal part of my life, another few appointments to fill my weeks.

I have grown very comfortable and at ease with living with my disease, and remain focused on the rest of my life and my work. I have the good fortune of having fairly benign side-effects from my treatment, which affords me the luxury of not focusing on treatments and cancer on a daily basis; many more are far less fortunate and are forced to cope, daily, with the effects, ailments, and heartache of their cancer and their treatment. That day may come for me, as treatments progress and my body wears down from the stress, but for now I remain very positive and feel very much like a normal 28 year old guy who's busy with work, life, and having fun.

Tomorrow morning I have some meetings and business to attend to in the office, but I will leave around 11a to participate in the RHCI Golf Classic at the Hyannisport Golf Club; I am a part of the golf committee that helps plan and organize the event, so tomorrow isn't just a great day for a great cause, it's also the culmination of many months of planning, with a very talented committee and staff, for the event, which is always a great success and a lot of fun. I'll be playing with three other Cape Medical staff members...we're all looking forward to a great day on the links and hopeful RHCI will raise a lot of money for their adaptive sports programs and for the great work they do rehabilitating and working with so many members of our community.

So, I hope you all had wonderful weekends...Wednesday will mark the halfway point for my treatment, and I cannot wait to post that 50% completed entry after treatment. Thanks again for coming by and I'll see you all soon...Gary

This Week...Doing Better than the Sox

Went to the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce annual meeting last evening at the Chatham Bars Inn...great time and caught up with a lot of people. The mood of business owners on the Cape seems generally positive right now with many of those in the hospitality and service industries heading into their peak seasons. Folks seem bullish on the Cape economy and many businesses, like ours, are embarking on exciting expansion activities which will greatly enhance their size and scope of service. Of course when you're at the CBI on a wonderful June night it's hard not to be in a good mood; what a wonderful spot - and it was a pristine night to be there.

I am consistently surprised at how many people read this blog, and feel honored to have so many people pulling for me...people still seem surprised when they first see me, as if they expected I would look a little shabbier than I do; to those who haven't seen me in a while - you would have no idea anything was wrong if you saw me. The hair loss is basically an issue restricted to home that makes a mess, but you really can't tell by looking at me. I've managed to actually GAIN a few more pounds I don't really need, and everything else is pretty well normal. As I said before, I'll try to get a picture up soon to prove I'm still in one (heavier) piece.

Heading over to Falmouth in a moment to handle some business with our new location...July 2nd is rapidly approaching and we have plenty of work to do. Tonight I'll head out on a boat cruise for the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce (with our expansion there we're new members) and I look forward to meeting many of the business folks over in Falmouth. It's a great night for a trip over to Martha's Vineyard so I'm pretty excited to get going.

So, I've been feeling great - with only some lingering fatigue slowing me down some. I'm keeping a busy schedule when I'm well and feel lucky to have such minor side-effects to this point. Next Wednesday marks the halfway point for me and we're really looking forward to being on the way down in the treatment process.

Heard great news on another young woman I know here on the Cape who is going through the same treatment, for the same issue (down to identical staging); she is just ahead of me and got her scans done the other day and is progressing very well with the treatment. It means a lot to hear good news like that when you're going through a process like this - I hope I am equally as fortunate and I was super happy to hear the great news for her.

Hope everyone else is well and I've been lucky to have not been staying up to watch the Sox stink it up in Oakland, I'm hoping they can get off the schneid tonight.

See you all soon...Gary

All's Well

Things continue to go well, little more tired than usual but not that big of a deal. 

Nothing new to report…looking forward to the weekend (mom’s birthday) and my brother’s wedding is coming right up as well, which will be a great time.

Other than that, keeping busy with work, etc. and living life like normal.

Cheers, Gary

 

Weekend

Had a great weekend…slept a little more than usual and was tired (I have begun to notice my side effects linger longer, the accumulation effect) but we had a great time.  Friday night we cooked out at home, Saturday we were up with the birds and did all kinds of stuff; ended the day in Chatham where we poked around town a little bit and then had dinner – great night for it.

Yesterday we did more relaxing and then had softball at 6p in Sandwich…we lost, again, but it was closer than the first game.  Went home and watched the Sox…that game and series couldn’t have had a worse ending, but hopefully they pick up their winning ways in Oakland again.

Busy day today and busy week this week…I’ll get some stuff up when I get a chance and hope everyone is well.  My hair is coming out again, but you really wouldn’t notice any hair loss yet; Kristina and I notice it all over the house (it’s almost like we have a second cat now) but you can’t tell by looking at my head – and I may never lose enough for it to be noticeable.

So all’s well, the weekend was great, and I am feeling better again…full slate of work and events this week – get while the getting’s good – and then it’s treatment #4 (50% done) next Wednesday!

Enjoy your days and thanks for coming by, Gary

Update and Cape Medical News

Yesterday was a rough day, I split from work around noon to go get my shot of NeuLasta and then headed home where I hit the sack for a solid five hours. Got up, had some dinner with Kristina, watched Jeopardy...then back to bed for the night. Nausea was okay, but I find myself just really tired - which isn't all that bad, I'd rather be tired than nauseous. I'm feeling better today, though still pretty tired, but I feel like I have more energy than yesterday and I'll try to push on and see what I can get done today.

Today has actually been an exciting day so far with the Cape Medical Supply announcement that we will be opening a new location in Falmouth, MA - just up the street from Falmouth Hospital (where I had my biopsy and several scans done). A competitor of ours vacated the space and we jumped at the opportunity to take it over. It will be a retail location and will offer us great exposure in Falmouth, the second largest town on Cape Cod...a town we have provided service to for our entire 30 years and we will now maintain a physical presence there. Our arrival in Falmouth also signifies the re-entry of a locally owned company into that town, something they have lacked for a number of years. As a local, family owned business, we feel it is important to have that connection and investment present, and feel strongly that our move to Falmouth will benefit not only our business but also the community at large.

Obviously this move comes during a tumultuous period for our company, which is why it is so exciting for me and my family; with both my dad and I sick I know people must have been thinking, had to assume, that maybe things would change or slow down...maybe we would just sell the business and walk away? This is a very public pronouncement that not only will that not happen, but we will continue to charge ahead with plans to improve and grow our business. The group of professionals we have here is dedicated to making that happen and they have done a tremendous amount of extra work in my absence to assure that everything gets done and we continue to move ahead.

So other than that I am really looking forward to the Sox/Yanks series this weekend and hopeful we can shut-up people like this, for the remainder of the 2007 season.

Enjoy the weekends, and don't do anything I wouldn't do!