The best use of time

I'm often asked (as I'm sure many cancer patients are), "has your perspective on life changed?". The short answer is 'yes, of course' but I'd like to clarify a little. Probably the main thing that I've given a lot of thought to is the use of time.

I suppose when time is precious, which it is for all of us, how we spend it comes into sharper focus. For example, the back of our garage has needed cleaning and tidying for weeks, but as long as the boys want to play a game or kick a ball around, it'll wait. The amount of time spent watching mindless TV has been drastically cut; books that don't grab me in the first 100 pages are cast aside; and I've taken a long, hard look at my social media intake. In fact, dear readers, it was touch and go whether the blog would be continued - unfortunately for you, it will be!

I remember a conversation I had many years ago with a close friend and we asked each other, "How would you change your life if you'd been given the all clear from cancer?". I never thought then that I would really have to make those changes, but here we are. My priorities now are now family time, living healthily, and making the most of free time - from coaching soccer to relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. I'm also fortunate to have a job that I love, so no changes needed there.

All of this makes me wonder...why have I waited until now to make these mindful choices?

I'm very happy to report that today I achieved one of the goals that I set in this post - to be up on the wakeboard by the end of July!

I'll finish with a couple of shots of the boys from this weekend, using their time well!

Mayo visit 2

Anna and I went down to the Mayo Clinic on Friday to meet with the neuro-oncologist who we hoped would give us a definitive answer on what type of tumour was removed in the April surgery. The results he had suggested that it was the same type as before (Glioblastoma) but said that there was still some uncertainty and that he would ask for some additional pathology tests to be performed. He also suggested that I return to Mayo today to meet with the radiation oncologist to discuss treatment plans.

In today's meeting I found out that the pathologist has downgraded the tumour to an anaplastic astrocytoma (there will be a test at the end of this post!) which is a grade III glioma, based on the additional tests performed on Friday. Although this seems like good news, it doesn't change the treatment plan and the original tumour site remains the primary concern.

The treatment is basically a repeat of the combined radiation/chemotherapy I had before Christmas, then a break of a few weeks, followed by six months of higher dose chemotherapy. There are some risks associated with having two rounds of radiation so close together, but they are far outweighed by the risks of the tumour returning.

I know this is not the most upbeat post, but I feel like I've had a few days of talking about/thinking about brain tumours and the treatment plan for the next 7/8 months and it has taken its toll. Maybe I just need a change of subject (or a good bike ride).

Fragility (by Anna)

Anna wrote this a few days ago and I think it encapsulates perfectly a somewhat 'hidden' aspect of this journey.

http://annamongan.com/2011/06/08/fragility/

Another trip to Mayo

Anna and I met with the oncologist yesterday to discuss the treatment plan now that I'm nearly finished the six week course of antibiotics. The trouble is there is a difference of opinion between the pathologist at the University of Minnesota (an expert in the field, apparently) and my neurosurgeon on the type of tumour removed during the last surgery. The pathology results suggested that it was glioblastoma multiforme (like the first tumour, a grade IV) but the surgeon and my oncologist believe that it hasn't shown the characteristics of that type (e.g. aggressive growth and change in shape). So, our medical team here believe that the best course of action is to get a second opinion from the experts at the Mayo Clinic (I wrote about Mayo here). Apparently they have some additional tests they can perform and different stains that they can apply to the pathology slides to reveal different things. I'm travelling down there next Friday. Hopefully, when I return I'll know which type of tumour it was and what the subsequent treatment plan will be.

I was extremely happy to get back to work at the beginning of last week, much quicker than any of us expected. I was able to quickly taper off the steroids and pain relief drugs and even managed to grow a little hair back before returning to the office.

I'll finish with a couple of photographs from a great memorial day weekend. Friday was 'Super Team Day' at the boys' school with lots of running, jumping, and (a definite highlight) a tug of war.

On Saturday we went with a group of friends from work to kayak around one of the lakes in uptown Minneapolis, although the 'kayaking' quickly turned into pedal-boating once the boys saw what was available for hire!

We rounded off the weekend with friends over for lunch, a bike ride for the guys, and a boat ride for everyone. Fun, food, and friends - perfect!