Beginning

"This is a devastating diagnosis."  That's what the oncologist said two weeks ago.  I was in his office for what I thought was a throw away appointment to get the results of a CT scan.  Instead, he sat me down and told me there are several spots on the scan that concerned him (brain, spine and lungs).  He continued to tell me that I was most likely looking at stage IV metastatic melanoma. 

After the follow up tests confirmed the diagnosis, everything has changed.  All of our energy is now focused on fighting and beating this "freaking disease" (that's what the oncologist called it).  The statistics are really crappy, but as my high school basketball coach always said, "Stats are for losers." and I am not a loser.

We have taken control of everything that we can take control of.  My wife, Jennifer, is spear-heading my new diet which is now all organic, non-dairy, non-sugar, mostly non-fat and without red meat.  (It's bacon I miss most).  We have also done tons of research on treatment options and, with lots of help, tons of research on doctors and treatment facilities.  Also my parents have rented a home nearby to be close so that they can help however we need them to.

Now what?  Additional testing did reveal some relatively good news.  An MRI showed that there was nothing in my brain (insert your own joke here).  However, the tumor on my spine is actually pressing against my spinal cord and that is the most immediate danger.  I've already started radiation treatments to halt its growth and relieve the pain that I'm having.  That will continue for the next four weeks.  After that, we will move into the immunotherapy portion of the fight.  More on this later.

In the meantime, I am so thankful for the amount of support and love that has been thrown my way since this has started.  I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people in so many places thinking of and praying for me.  If love could kill this cancer, I would already be cured.