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A Day in the Life
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Posted by tomasi Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:57:46 PST
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0 responses 0 comments While some can say that tendencies to certain medical conditions run in their family, I am beginning to think that a certain tendency runs in me. You see, it is my third time battling cancer.

Like most people, I am related to, or know someone who succumbed to cancer. I have lost one parent, several aunts, uncles and cousins, and countless friends, to that insidious disease.           

Just the threat of cancer is enough to send ones life into a tailspin. It is a diagnosis with which I am all too familiar because, as mentioned earlier, I am presently dealing with my third type of cancer.

I had tumors removed from my skull when I was 22. We weren’t yet married but my wife Debbie stood by me. I remember giving her the option of backing out but she would hear nothing of it.

Luckily, the tumors never returned and Deb was finally able to stop worrying. Then, when I was 49, I was diagnosed with Primary Amyloidosis, a rare blood disease, second cousin to Multiple Myeloma but in leukemia form. It was so unique that I was told fewer than 200 people are diagnosed with P.A. each hear, and 90% of them on autopsy tables.

The only positive side to the diagnosis was that I received a tremendous amount of medical interest and actually had cancer centers vying for me. I chose The City of Hope because of its proximity to Bakersfield, mainly because our daughter, Aly, was still in high school. My treatment for P.A. was to have a stem cell transplant, immediately following high dose chemotherapy. At the end of my four month stay at The City of Hope, I was released.

Since there is no real cure for the disease, doctors were very reticent to use the word “remission” with me. However, I have had no symptoms since January of 2000. I think that qualifies as remission, don’t you?

Then came the fall of 2005 and yet another cancer. After experiencing horrible abdominal cramping, weight loss, and night sweats, I was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. The staging refers to the progress of the disease and mine had left the prostate, traveled to the lymph nodes and bones. That is where I am today.

Just as with the P.A. treatment it began immediately and I responded beautifully. Within 30 days my P.S.A. had dropped 39 points, which left Drs. Patel and Strategos, and myself, thrilled. The drop in points indicated that, not only was the treatment successful, but once again the progression of cancer had been slowed.

So, here I am, third time dealing with cancer and while the forms have been different each time, my response has been the same. Ask anyone who has dealt with a chronic illness and they will tell you that attitude is an extremely important part in coping with disease.

I have found that my positive attitude has helped me through some pretty difficult times but there are other elements to successfully fighting cancer – support and faith.

I’m very fortunate to have the support I do, especially when I see fellow patients at the C.B.C.C. who never have visitors. I always wonder how they can handle it.

Of course, the all-important aspect of having a positive outlook is essential. I have been accused of being goofy, but you know, it has served me well many times.

And then, we come to faith. Guess you can say I saved the best for last. I am not standing on a soap box, but I would if asked to do so because faith that has made all the difference.

Once I was diagnosed for the third time I had my pity party then regrouped, found my sense of humor, gathered my family and friends for their love and support, then spent some very important time with the Almighty.

I am not certain why I am still here, especially since this is “C” number three, but one thing is certain, I have a drastically changed appreciation for life.

The only reason I have written about my experience is to give hope to others that have found themselves in equally tragic situations, so, keep smiling, draw your loved ones close, and hold onto your faith, whatever that may be.

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