What a difference eight weeks makes.Eight weeks ago I was healthy strong and beginning my training for I.M. CDA in 08. Twenty months to build a base ,race ,work on swim skills,yoga and balance. I was ready.
Just a quick visit to my Dr. to look at a mole on the back of my neck.
NOT. Diagnosis,Melanoma.However, it was felt that it was contained and that a small cutting of surrounding tissue was all that was needed.
However, subsaquent exam showed the presence of a tumor behind my r. ear.Biopsy was positive and four weeks ago I underwent a neck dissection.I wont go into detail except to say I had over a one hundred staples from my skull to my chest.
Biopsies of lymph nodes found two positive so as soon as I heal I will begin an intensive four week treatment of InterferonI.V., followed by a year of self injection.
I am feeling strong and positive and am healing ahead of schedule thanks to being healthy to begin with.I feel lucky that the care I have and will receive in Victoria is as good as anywhere in North America.
My reasons for posting this are twofold. First I would urge everyone to pay close attention to their bodies and be aware of even the smallest changes.
I was told that I probably had the cancerous cells from childhood (I am now fifty),and that caucasians of red,blonde pigment of Northern European ancestry are the highest risk for Malignant Melenoma.
Secondly,if anyone has undergone Interferon treatment or has info about training and health with cancer,please post.
Sorry to be so long.Thanks and keep Tri ing.
Keep positive, a friend at work was found to have high blood pressure. This turned into a cancerous kidney that had to be removed. 6 months later he is back to normal and lucky it was found early, many people just ignore these things. Good luck.
Sorry to hear that. Sending positive vibes your way…
My best friend (and triathlon elite) Olaf Sabatschus is also fighting cancer…
That thing sucks but a positive attitude makes a world of difference!
good luck to you!
So sorry to hear this, but know people here are pulling for you.
A few of us who post here have a friend who has been through the same thing you are going through. Her blog is here: http://triandbehappy.blogspot.com/ and give her a ping and I’m sure she will have a lot of good information for you. Tell her clm, kurt, nancy, debi, john and the rest of the deads sent you.
GOOD LUCK.
clm
Wow, you just picked up a fourth segment to work through on your way to CDA. Nail it down good. I am looking forward to a great race report from you in '08.
I’m three years on the right side of my diagnosis - I really hope you beat yours. A few things that I found out along the way:
- Most of us that get get cancer survive (survival rates are increasing all the time and if your not the very old or very young your chances are excellent).
- Dont worry too much about the prognosis, eveyone reacts differently to both the illness and the treatment and at an individual level the docs are having an educated guess. If you were fit and active prior to diagnosis you have already given yourself a massive head start.
- Dont stop training, even if its just doing arm curls with the IV bag. Its good for your mind and your body. Also it gives you some down time when your not worrying about cancer, you are much more concerned with the pain in your legs from the 9 hour spin session in front of the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy (count them - nine hours of hobbits, swords and spinning, 12 hours if you also go through the extended features).
- Start planning a really good triathlon holiday to somewhere you’ve always wanted to go and compete (Switzerland, Australia etc) and work towards getting well enough and fit enough to compete - nothing like a goal.
Hang in there and PM me if need someone to vent with.
Andrew.
Sorry to hear that. Sending positive vibes your way…
My best friend (and triathlon elite) Olaf Sabatschus is also fighting cancer…
That thing sucks but a positive attitude makes a world of difference!
good luck to you!
Didn’t know that. Is it serious?
Good luck and good health to you. Kick cancers ass like Lance did, ok ?!?!
I speak with a lot of cancer pateints-this will change your life in so many good ways. After beating this you will have an unstoppable force and a new vision. Good luck to you and how really lucky you are to be in the 21st century!
Of course it’s serious. It’s cancer! He had surgery. Will undergo 5 weeks of radiotherapy.
But the prognosis is as good as it gets (95%). He should be back racing early 2007.
What an inspiration she is!
dun1, I’m so sorry hear about your diagnosis. Keep us posted and I expect to hear a full report of your next IM.