Ready, set, set, set, set

Almost go! Met with the doc today. Jacki was there by my side thank God. This was one of the very serious, nuts and bolts conversations with the doc. I have been amazed each step of the process, how generous some of these oncologists are with their time with a patient.

He laid out the stats about 3 different drugs that are being tried for "metastasized papillary renal cell carcinoma" - PRCC. He wants to hear from one more colleague about testing another drug, a MET inhibitor, but unless that is a big surprise, we are going with Tarceva. It's a pill taken once a day, every day. I might get acne, I might get diarrhea, I might be tired a lot. Could be none of the above or all of the above. Probably won't lose my hair.

Let me tell you, this was a heavy duty sobering conversation. Of course, you know me; couldn't resist a little humor exchange with the doc. Lightened it up briefly, but these things have a distinctly persistent lack of humor. One of these days I'm going to find some cancer funnies.

So they took blood and scheduled another CT Scan to set a current baseline for measuring chemo's results. I talk with the doc again on Monday, get the script, get the drug and start taking it.

Walking out of there, I felt shaken but not stirred. Jacki being there was a shock absorber. Burden shared is half a burden. Tears were there but soaked up by a sense of determination to be one of the "over 5 year" guys. Cures get developed every year and I am going to be around for the cure for PRCC. Tarceva is my friend, I have dealt with zits before, and I can get large sized Imodium at Costco and I like my naps anyway.

I do not have to deal with it alone. Matter of fact, I could not if I tried. I need you, the reader, my friends, my loved ones, my family and all who, not even knowing me, pray for me anyway. I need my God, my Creator and I pray for the strength and courage to hit it with my best shot!

Right now, it is near the end of my day. I feel tired physically, mentally, emotionally. I have had enough for one day. Call my sponsor, talk with a couple of my guys, cuddle with Jacki, pray and sleep. The biggest mystery here is how could I get through this without you? Thanks.
Bill