Health

At the meeting with my surgeon last week, Dr. W gave me a full exam, checked my CT Scans and looked at my labs. She confirmed everything she saw was supportive of my ostomy reversal surgery. If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you’ll know the ostomy part of my treatment has been one…

Two Sundays ago, I officially completed my final round of chemo. In some ways it’s hard to believe the treatment is done, while at the same time, it feels like it’s been the longest 18 weeks of my life. Fact is, as described in my last post, I’d had enough of the grind. When I…

It’s been over two months since I shared my last update with you. That post was written a month after surgery and a week or so before I began my “mop-up” chemotherapy treatment. Since then, I’ve had moments where I had some idea about what I might share with you beyond a simple update, but…

It’s been a month since surgery. And I’m happy to report that my recovery is going really well. Over the last week or so, I can tell a significant increase in my energy levels and decreased fatigue. I’m back to work with all my executive coaching clients and active in my role as CEO with…

Last Friday evening, just before dinner, my cell phone rang indicating a call from the Scripps Health system. I answered with anticipation. Dr. W, my surgeon greeted me and let me know she’d just recieved the pathology report from the biopsy of my tumor, lymph nodes and surrounding tissue. “First thing” she said, “is all…

Just around dinner time last night, Dr. W dropped into my hospital room asked if I felt like going home. Enthusiastically, I responded “Yes!” Becky and I looked at each other and smiled in relief. We were free to go home. I had resigned myself to stay for the night again, as the nurses had…

Tom had a rough day on Saturday. The pain in his abdomen was really intense; not so much from the incisions, but as a result of his digestive system trying to work again. Doctor’s orders were to try to eat tiny amounts of really soft foods so his system could get used to processing things…

Tom was in surgery yesterday for just over 5 hours at Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, CA. His surgeon said the surgery went according to plan; they removed what was left of the tumor and most of his rectum, two lymph nodes and performed an ileostomy. We’ll have the results of whether or not…

“You suck at updating your blog!” my friend Alan reminded me by text recently. Humbly, I agreed. I haven’t posted any updates here over the last month or so. The fact is, I haven’t had much in the way of new information to report since my last post on December 19. And, with the holidays…

Last Friday officially marked the end of the first phase of my treatment plan. It ended with a blood test. The previous Monday I graduated from radiation and completed my final morning and evening oral chemotherapy treatment. The most difficult side effects are almost gone, while others continue to persist in lessening ways. For the…