So last Wednesday , I had my MRI check-up and that damn tumor is back. That is the bad news. the good news is that we are going to treat it with a non- invasive "Stereotactic Radiosurgery tomorrow Monday. This is an outpatient procedure using radiation to blast the tumor cells from hundreds of different angles with surgical accuracy without a cut.
So the process goes like this
1. Arrive at UW Cancer CLinic at 6am Monday 3/29..
2. get a "frame" placed on my head. 4 pins that hold it break the skin. I will wear this frame all day. Apparently this is the most painful part. they will give me a local anesthetic and valium (so I got that going for me. :)
3. with the frame on, I will get a ct scan. Dem smart docs will then go into a planning session to plan the surgery (think Really High level physics)
4. once the plan is done, they will take me into the Linear Accelerator (radiation machine)and I will receive the radiation blast. We won't know exactly how long the radiation will take until the planning is done, but 30-45 min is common. Once the surgery is done, they take off the frame and send me home! The Radiation doesn't hurt, it is about as painful as an Xray. I will be really fatigued for a couple days and have potentially have some eye puffiness late next week, but that's it. I will have a follow up MRI in a month which will hopefully show NO tumor growth and hopefully dead tumor. I go right back to my chemo schedule of every other Wednesday
So the tumor is back, which is not a huge surprise as we have always known that this thing will keep coming back. I am happy that my medical team is able to treat this with a noninvasive procedure. It is what it is and I will continue to fight this with everythng that I have!
The fight brngs me to the real reason for this post. When people find out that I am fighting Brain Cancer, they inevitably ask me how I can stay positive and smile. My answer is usually, it is what it is. Obviously, my family gives me strength as does my faith.
When I was freshman in college at Iowa State (GO CYCLONES!) I had periods of time where the life adjustment was difficult on me. I had a friend at the time who recognized what I was going through and gave me something that I still have to this day. It is a poem by an unknown author. For the past 20+ years, whenever I ran into a situation that I may have briefly considered giving up, I pull out this poem and reread it. I wanted to share it with you today. I hope you enjoy.
Don't Quit
When things go wrong as they sometimes wll;
Whe the road you're trudginig seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and debts are high;
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;.
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are;
t may be near when it seems afar.
So,stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit.
Its a simple Poem that has helped me more times than I can count.
Never Never Quit!
Thank You SMITH Kinney!- my brother PHi Delt (My fraternity Phi Delta Theta) who Originally shared this with me in Late 1987.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!
Peace Out!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Seasons Changing, Attitude improving
I apologize for not writing these past couple months, but I have been focusing my energies on re-engaging in our business. Jeff and I are working with a Marketing Group to help us rebrand our company. We are incredibly fortunate in that our business is doing well and we are actually hiring new employees and plan to bring on a couple more in addition to our onsite contract staff. Jeff has been fantastic growing our business while I was out.The weather in Northern Illinois is beginning to change and Spring is starting to show. I am excited for the weather improvement mainly because I have spent the Winter gaining back all of the weight I lost in the hospital last Fall. the change in the weather is finally allowing me to g et outside and begin biking again which I hope will help to slim my fat ass down.:) the first week of April, I have a conference in Vegas! Woo Hoo!, and Kim is going to Join me. It works out that school is out that week and she is in need of some rest and relaxation in the sun.
So the latest Health update is that the Avastin (Chemo) that I receive every other Wed at UW seems to be doing its job, my next MRI is March 24th. Overall, I have been feeling good other than the daily fight with allergies, which is normal with the change of seasons.
MAY 22, 2010 I will be walking in the American Brain Tumor Association Path To Progress 5K at Soldier Field in Chicago for Brain Tumor research. My great friend Mark Patrick is helping me this year. We have set up Team Talbott, and would love you to join us either by walking with us, or with your donation Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated and will go to a great cause! Check out the link and Thank You in advance
http://hope.abta.org/goto/Steven_Talbott
Peace out!!
So the latest Health update is that the Avastin (Chemo) that I receive every other Wed at UW seems to be doing its job, my next MRI is March 24th. Overall, I have been feeling good other than the daily fight with allergies, which is normal with the change of seasons.
MAY 22, 2010 I will be walking in the American Brain Tumor Association Path To Progress 5K at Soldier Field in Chicago for Brain Tumor research. My great friend Mark Patrick is helping me this year. We have set up Team Talbott, and would love you to join us either by walking with us, or with your donation Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated and will go to a great cause! Check out the link and Thank You in advance
http://hope.abta.org/goto/Steven_Talbott
Peace out!!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Live for the moment - For Kim
I will start today with a health update. Had my first MRI since starting the Avastin treatment. Dr. Robins was pleased with what he saw. The Avastin is doing what it is supposed to. YEAH! So I continue with biweekly treatments and MRIs every 8 weeks. I am feeling good and glad to get some good news.
The real purpose of this post is to discuss a show that I just watched on CBS that triggered a "switch" in my mind. The show was "Live for the moment" and hosted by the Survivor host Jeff Probst. The show was a week in the life of someone who has ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. He was given the opportunity to do some amazing things that he always wanted to do. It was an obvious Made for TV program, but it moved me none the less.
I have done a good job burying reality deep in my mind. I put on my game face and pretend that I don't have Brain Cancer. I go around living my life oblivious to my surroundings and often taking for granted how much my wife Kim does for me every day. Let me try and put this into words. My last surgery was a tumor resection. during the surgery, I had what my Neurosurgeon described as a "Bleed" which basically means that it was unexpected bleeding that they had to deal with on the fly. Now there are two types of strokes...those caused by a blockage and those caused by a bleed. In other words, I had a minor stroke in the operating room.
The idea that I had a stroke at 40 was hard for me to grasp. I had obvious left side deficits and am told I still have a little droop on my left side when I am tired. After several weeks of speech, physical, and occupational therapy, I have recovered remarkably well and am doing great, but I am realizing that I still have some deficits. The deficits are mainly short term memory issues. Now I have been aware of these issues and have learned some great techniques like - Write shit down Dumbass! :) However, this is where I tend to take things for granted.
Let me start with Kim is everything to me. I not only love her, but I am in love with her. Kim has a very demanding job both during the day and in the evenings. That is who we are...work-a-holics. We love what we do and it helps to define who we are.
That is the simple part. The hard part is that I often unknowingly take advantage of her. If I sit back and am honest with myself, I rely on Kim for damn near everything...from keeping me current on my medications, to cooking and all in all being Lead CareGiver for me. This with a 60hr/wk job and a gimpy husband who doesn't use his head and help around the house and use the tools he learned to overcome some of his deficits..i.e: Write shit down dumbass!
So with Valentine's Day coming up I want to take a minute to acknowledge what my wife does for me. I couldn't do it without her! If you have seen strength in me over the last two years with how I am handling my life with Brain Cancer, I assure you it is really her keeping me standing.
Kim- You are my everything and I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you for everything that you do every day. It is all appreciated more than you will ever know. Thank You and I Love You!
To all of you....don't take anything for granted! Live for the Moment!
Peace Out!
The real purpose of this post is to discuss a show that I just watched on CBS that triggered a "switch" in my mind. The show was "Live for the moment" and hosted by the Survivor host Jeff Probst. The show was a week in the life of someone who has ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. He was given the opportunity to do some amazing things that he always wanted to do. It was an obvious Made for TV program, but it moved me none the less.
I have done a good job burying reality deep in my mind. I put on my game face and pretend that I don't have Brain Cancer. I go around living my life oblivious to my surroundings and often taking for granted how much my wife Kim does for me every day. Let me try and put this into words. My last surgery was a tumor resection. during the surgery, I had what my Neurosurgeon described as a "Bleed" which basically means that it was unexpected bleeding that they had to deal with on the fly. Now there are two types of strokes...those caused by a blockage and those caused by a bleed. In other words, I had a minor stroke in the operating room.
The idea that I had a stroke at 40 was hard for me to grasp. I had obvious left side deficits and am told I still have a little droop on my left side when I am tired. After several weeks of speech, physical, and occupational therapy, I have recovered remarkably well and am doing great, but I am realizing that I still have some deficits. The deficits are mainly short term memory issues. Now I have been aware of these issues and have learned some great techniques like - Write shit down Dumbass! :) However, this is where I tend to take things for granted.
Let me start with Kim is everything to me. I not only love her, but I am in love with her. Kim has a very demanding job both during the day and in the evenings. That is who we are...work-a-holics. We love what we do and it helps to define who we are.
That is the simple part. The hard part is that I often unknowingly take advantage of her. If I sit back and am honest with myself, I rely on Kim for damn near everything...from keeping me current on my medications, to cooking and all in all being Lead CareGiver for me. This with a 60hr/wk job and a gimpy husband who doesn't use his head and help around the house and use the tools he learned to overcome some of his deficits..i.e: Write shit down dumbass!
So with Valentine's Day coming up I want to take a minute to acknowledge what my wife does for me. I couldn't do it without her! If you have seen strength in me over the last two years with how I am handling my life with Brain Cancer, I assure you it is really her keeping me standing.
Kim- You are my everything and I don't know what I would do without you. Thank you for everything that you do every day. It is all appreciated more than you will ever know. Thank You and I Love You!
To all of you....don't take anything for granted! Live for the Moment!
Peace Out!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Another Year Older - YAHOO!!!
One year ago I was posting how excited I was to turn 40 years old. Well, one year later, another Brain Tumor removed, several weeks of rehab to recover from a minor stroke, 2 years post original diagnosis, and here I am - 41 and loving every minute of it!
Typically all of the survival stats for people with Glioblastoma's are pretty dismal, except for this one that I found not too long ago...for patients with GBM's who suvive 2 years post original diagnosis and treatment, the 5 year survival statistics go through the roof! How's that for a birthday present?
So, today is going to be low key. Going to spend the day doing some work and hopefully get to the gym. We already celebrated my Bday as Chef Kim treated me to a great Steak dinner this weekend for my birthday and I spent Saturday evening with some great friends and donated money to each of their Poker Funds.
Thank you all for the continued prayers and thoughts.
Peace Out!
Typically all of the survival stats for people with Glioblastoma's are pretty dismal, except for this one that I found not too long ago...for patients with GBM's who suvive 2 years post original diagnosis and treatment, the 5 year survival statistics go through the roof! How's that for a birthday present?
So, today is going to be low key. Going to spend the day doing some work and hopefully get to the gym. We already celebrated my Bday as Chef Kim treated me to a great Steak dinner this weekend for my birthday and I spent Saturday evening with some great friends and donated money to each of their Poker Funds.
Thank you all for the continued prayers and thoughts.
Peace Out!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year, New Hopes
2010 is upon us. My thoughts today are of hope and joy AND the future. 2 days ago, I celebrated 2years of survival post original diagnosis and surgery of Glioblastoma Multiforme. I have survived 2 surgeries and have begun treatment post 2nd surgery. Treatment is going well. We will get an idea how successful it is in Late January at my next MRI.
So what is in the picture for me in 2010? As Jimmy Buffett put it best in 2008, it's "THE YEAR OF STILL HERE!" I am feeling great and I am anxious to get back to work! I am sick and tired of thinking about Cancer! I am looking forward to a year free of hospital stays!
2009 What a year! The year began with a bang in business, with Jeff and I commuting back and forth to Minneapolis for a big project. From there, we decided to add another consulting practice to our company. It got to be a little challenging as we ended the year, from my tumor recurrence, surgery and recovery, to my brother's Prostate Cancer surgery and reovery.
It was a crazy end to the year, but oh do I have alot to be thankful for.
1. I am still here and feeling great! The fight continues.
2. My brother Kevin is doing fantastic and all the tests have been clear!God Bless!
3. Business is looking up significantly after a slow end of 2009.
As I look into 2010 I am excited for what tomorrow brings. No matter what comes, I know that with the support of my amazing family and friends I will get through it, but most importantly I will continue to live life!
I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous 2010. Make it a great year!
Peace & Love
Steve
PEACE OUT for 2009!
So what is in the picture for me in 2010? As Jimmy Buffett put it best in 2008, it's "THE YEAR OF STILL HERE!" I am feeling great and I am anxious to get back to work! I am sick and tired of thinking about Cancer! I am looking forward to a year free of hospital stays!
2009 What a year! The year began with a bang in business, with Jeff and I commuting back and forth to Minneapolis for a big project. From there, we decided to add another consulting practice to our company. It got to be a little challenging as we ended the year, from my tumor recurrence, surgery and recovery, to my brother's Prostate Cancer surgery and reovery.
It was a crazy end to the year, but oh do I have alot to be thankful for.
1. I am still here and feeling great! The fight continues.
2. My brother Kevin is doing fantastic and all the tests have been clear!God Bless!
3. Business is looking up significantly after a slow end of 2009.
As I look into 2010 I am excited for what tomorrow brings. No matter what comes, I know that with the support of my amazing family and friends I will get through it, but most importantly I will continue to live life!
I wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous 2010. Make it a great year!
Peace & Love
Steve
PEACE OUT for 2009!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Released from Rehab
Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Yesterday I was completely discharged from Outpatient rehab. I was slated to have to do 8 weeks, but did so well, (and I whined a lot) that they officially discharged me from therapy yesterday. I had been going 2 times per week to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy.
I need to thank my team at Van Matre Rehab hospital in Rockford. They were honestly fantastic. From my Core team during my two weeks of inpatient therapy; Fran who helped me get out of bed and relearn balance in Occupational Therapy to Donna who kept me laughing in Physical Therapy to Emily who helped me think straight again. Thank you. Without them, I would still be the blubbering mess I was after surgery. I also want to thank my outpatient team for challenging me and helping me reach the recovery goals! Thanks go out to Marla, whose weekly homework kept my brain firing neurons, Becky in PT for making PT fun, to everyone else I worked with Bev, Aaron, etc. You are all fantastic!
Now I am able to focus on the joy of the Christmas season. I am excited to spend tomorrow and Friday with family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support and prayers over the last 2 years.
YEP THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS. Sunday, I reach my own mini holiday miracle 2 years post diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme! Still alive and kicking!! I must have been a good boy this year! Santa gave me everything I wanted...My health and a wife, Kim, who has been there through everything, done everything for me and been more supportive than I deserve. It is truly a Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Peace to you and your families this holiday season!
I need to thank my team at Van Matre Rehab hospital in Rockford. They were honestly fantastic. From my Core team during my two weeks of inpatient therapy; Fran who helped me get out of bed and relearn balance in Occupational Therapy to Donna who kept me laughing in Physical Therapy to Emily who helped me think straight again. Thank you. Without them, I would still be the blubbering mess I was after surgery. I also want to thank my outpatient team for challenging me and helping me reach the recovery goals! Thanks go out to Marla, whose weekly homework kept my brain firing neurons, Becky in PT for making PT fun, to everyone else I worked with Bev, Aaron, etc. You are all fantastic!
Now I am able to focus on the joy of the Christmas season. I am excited to spend tomorrow and Friday with family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support and prayers over the last 2 years.
YEP THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS. Sunday, I reach my own mini holiday miracle 2 years post diagnosis of Glioblastoma Multiforme! Still alive and kicking!! I must have been a good boy this year! Santa gave me everything I wanted...My health and a wife, Kim, who has been there through everything, done everything for me and been more supportive than I deserve. It is truly a Merry and Blessed Christmas!
Peace to you and your families this holiday season!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Treatment SUCCESS!
Ok, so Wednesday we headed back up to the Great White North aka UW Madison. Got blood checked as usual and met with Dr. Robins. The new treatment is Avastin. It is not a "Chemo" Cancer fighting but a Cancer fighting drug that goes after the tumors ability to grow blood vessels. Without blood vessels to feed the Cancer, it Dies. Avastin has been around for awhile and has been proven to extend GBM patients life longer than Avastin with a Chemo agent together. Kim and I are happy with the choice of treatment. The first treatment was an infusion via IV over 90 minutes. It is now Sunday and I have had absolutely NO bad side effects! YAH! My schedule is set. I have to go up to Madison ever other Wednesday for an infusion, but in the future the infusion will only take 60 minutes or less. In addition, I will have MRIs every 8 weeks.
Now, for the good stuff. Kim and I are officially on our annual vacation with our good friends. Kim and I and the Schindlers and Drectrahs landed in SAN JUAN yesterday bound for Royal Carribbean "Adventure of the Seas" for 7 days of relaxation and LAUGHTER! Left Chicago 23 degrees and landed to 90 degrees. Life is Good!
PEACE
Now, for the good stuff. Kim and I are officially on our annual vacation with our good friends. Kim and I and the Schindlers and Drectrahs landed in SAN JUAN yesterday bound for Royal Carribbean "Adventure of the Seas" for 7 days of relaxation and LAUGHTER! Left Chicago 23 degrees and landed to 90 degrees. Life is Good!
PEACE
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