“I’M BACK”

-Cancer

For those unaware, this was Jordan’s comeback fax….

Apologies for the dark humor to start this post off but yes, the cancer is back. Did I plan on writing this less than a year after we evicted the previous asshole tenant? No. Truth be told I did see it coming back at some point and I had hoped it would be a little longer but oh well. So let’s get down to details:

Brief History

I was in the surveillance phase post surgery last April. That meant scans and bloodwork every three months. Well back in February we noticed that a few lymph nodes (explanation) had grown slightly. Okay, could be a normal reaction to a cold or who knows what, that’s what lymph nodes can do. So my oncologist ordered a follow up scan at six weeks just to be safe. Well you guessed it, they kept growing. That follow up scan was last Monday and my oncologist got me in for an Endoscopy (explanation) to biopsy the lymph node near my esophagus. When I woke up from anesthesia the doctor came in to tell me that there were a few malignant (cancerous) lymph nodes in that area. He also called a pathologist in to do a quick unofficial review and he agreed that they looked cancerous. Note: Never a good thing when a doctor is like “Hey, come look at how messed up this is!” But I’m glad he did.

So we were 99.9% sure last week that it was cancer and the pathology came back Monday to confirm as much.

What Now?

Since the cancer is in the lymph nodes and spread out there is no surgical or radiation method that would effectively work. The good news? It is still small and not visible in any major organs on scans. So the plan is to start immunotherapy (explanation) with a combination of two drugs- Opdivo and Yervoy or Opdivo and Cabo- no not Cabo San Lucas, although if you have a doctor or Sammy Hagar on speed dial that can prescribe that let me know. These are IV infusions that would occur about every 3 weeks. Side effects? Plenty but it’s really hit or miss if they will happen or not. Cancer treatments continue to advance all the time. The depiction of cancer killing patients or making life horrible is not always the norm- although it definitely still can happen for some so fingers crossed I can skip all that.

“How am I?”

Ummm, that’s a good/odd/tough question. Let’s start with the physical aspect- I’m mostly fine. Cancer wise I don’t feel it or any effects of it right now so that’s a plus. But my back is all messed up and I will more than likely have an impending surgery in my future once treatment is through. (Steroid epidurals in the meantime!)

Mentally how am I doing? Hmm I think it depends on the day, time, and such but overall I am okay. I am handling this a lot better than last time because cancer really only has one chance to blindside you personally. Does it suck hearing it’s back? Of course! I still say for me so far the hardest part of cancer is the mental aspect. Physically it sucked going through surgery- reminder here if you need it. The mental is soooo tough though. Some days you feel like you can take on the world and others you feel like the world is against you. What helps this time is knowing that there is not a softball sized tumor in me and that we do the scans and tests for a reason- to catch it as early as possible, which hopefully we have this time.

What Now/How Can You Help?

So I will start my treatments in the next two weeks and then scans and bloodwork to see how effective they might be. More of a waiting game- the hardest part of cancer at times. At least this time I don’t believe I’m going to die on an operating table- no letters have been pre-written to family which I think they all appreciate.

Some people again have asked how they can help. I am lucky to have a very supportive wife, parents, siblings, extended family, and friend group. My coworkers have been great too! Couple that with being fortunate to have good health insurance and personally I am okay right now. BUUUUUUUUUT you can always help out Gilda’s Club Chicago!!! (More info below)

Gilda’s Club Chicago

If you’re not familiar with Gilda’s Club they are an organization that provides free support to patients and their loved ones going through cancer. Check them out at this link for more info: https://www.gildasclubchicago.org/

• Since Gilda’s has played such a vital role in my journey I was lucky enough to join the Associate Board to try and give back even more. So if you want to help me out or just those battling cancer in general please visit my personal Gilda’s Club fundraising link here: https://give.gildasclubchicago.org/participants/300597

Please share this link with everybody and anybody- the funds raised go to support the amazing work Gilda’s does for all those affected by cancer.

Lastly, you can stop reading if you’re not a fan of cancer humor but here are some alternate jokes I had to kick the post off that were left on the cutting room floor:

• I should have known cancer would be back when they sent me this:

  

• Or my personal favorite:

  

• “Gotta Have It” Remix by Cancer

• “Cancer’s Back” instead of Shady’s Back Remix