A New Year, a New Challenge.

1/15/2013

I bet most of you thought I retired from the writing game huh? Well, I always said that I was not going to write unless I had something substantial to inspire me. Unfortunately, I was just given a ton of it. Not only am I being called back from retirement from writing, but to the battlegrounds I thought were so happily in my past. Incase any of you missed it, my routine quarterly blood work turned up an elevated Carcinogenic ...

Antigen (CEA) of 8.5. CEA is the blood tumor marker for Colon Cancer. My CEA since my last surgery 14 months ago has been hanging around 1.4-1.5, otherwise, normal. The elevated test results prompted a PET-CT Scan this morning at 7am in Chelsea. I had a follow up with my nurse practitioner Terry at Yawkey Cancer Center in MGH. The results showed that I do have a reoccurrence of the disease. Three metastases are located in the lymph nodes of my abdomen, 1 small tumor in my liver and a possible single tiny growth in my lungs. Because of distribution of the tumors, it immediately eliminates surgery from current methods of attack. So that means as of tomorrow I will be having my port put back in and chemotherapy will begin again. The obvious hope is that I will respond to the chemo as I have in the past and this will open up further methods of disease control / removal in the future. On a positive note, we caught them while they are all very small.

Emotionally, as always I am pretty on top of my game right now. I was prepared for this, what I can never be prepared for is my families, friends, and fiance’s reaction. That is where I get emotional and have a bit of difficulty keeping my composure. But make no mistake about this, I will not and have never wavered from my path. Once again we will hit this disease hard, and hit it repeatedly until I have rid every last drop of it from my body, no matter how long it takes.

Some of you may be wondering about the wedding? Not for one second would I miss such a wonderful celebration with all my friends and family members. I may have a small set back in my life’s plan, but there is nothing that would ever hold me back from marrying the most amazing person I know, my rock, my love. So to those of you attending, please remember to bring your party shoes, because nothing has changed. I just have to throw my superman suit on a few days a month to fight these evil little fuckers.

Remember, Stay positive, Believe, As always – I love you – Teej

16 Comments

Brian B January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:20:47 pm

So happy you have a strong positive attitude after all you have been through. Hard to put emotions into words after reading this but I wish you, your fam and fiance all the best for another positive knockout.

Missy DiPanfilo January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:21:10 pm

Sending you light and love…..knowing you got this!! You are a true warrior!!xoxo

Jim Houle January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:21:31 pm

TJ, I am sorry to hear of the return of your cancer…..I wish the hell it didn’t, but it’s here. the good news is you have one of the most positive attitudes I’ve ever seen, and you have been proactive enough with your checkups that hopefully, and soon the medications/treatments you will have to endure (again) will get rid of this dreaded disease. I only wish you the best in your endeavor and know that you have lots of people in your corner. Take care and God Bless my friend….. Jim

Cmitch January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:21:56 pm

TJ,

I have never met you, but heard about your story from one of my close friends (Kim Buckley). I have followed your blog, and have sent your story to a number of my friends who are also battling/have battled this most insidious disease.

Your positive approach to fighting cancer has been nothing short of inspiring. 99.9% of people in your situation would have given up, thrown in the towel, and let the disease win. From what I’ve read, not for one second did you ever let fear, doubt, or negative thoughts into the equation. Your optimistic attitude is your biggest weapon. That, coupled with your obvious strength, leaves me certain that you will beat this thing, once and for all.

Thank you for sharing your story, and for being a constant reminder that positive thoughts bring forth positive outcomes. Sending you healing energy from Chicago.

-Courteney

Jeanne Frizzel January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:22:20 pm

Teej – didn’t these cancer cells learn the first time that they can’t win with you? Apparently they need another whooping!! Go kick them where it counts…hey cancer – you’re outta here!

joann spano krutainis January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:22:45 pm

I fucking H A T E cancer… fucking hate it. what I love is your positive attitude…. I live my life in the same place of positivity!
living in La La land fucking rocks.
clearly i also love using the word fuck……..fuck fuck FUCK cancer….. Love you. Please, would you kindly give your lovely wife to be a big hug for me?

lauren January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:23:08 pm

i hate this news but who else to keep on; keeping it on- than you!!! You will beat those little fUCKer$!!! Love you.

Steve January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:23:29 pm

TJ, sorry to hear about this but you have an amazing attitude and great support from all. You’ll get through this like you have before. So keep writing and keep fighting – we are all praying that this will be taken care of swiftly and without pain. BTW, did anyone tell you that you look like superman?

I hope you took dance lessons for the wedding!!
Keep us posted!!
Steve

Jeanne January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:23:52 pm

TJ….your parents are your inspiration and you are theirs. You are so loved and will get through this too.

mcnamaras January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:24:15 pm

TJ,
Another nasty bump in the road but you will get to the other side smoothly.
Someday you will look back on all of this and say, how did I do it! You will and our prayers are there for you and Amanda and may the sun shine on your wonderful wedding!
Waiting for the pictrures from your Mom.
Love from us!

tephanie Wales January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:24:40 pm

TJ: At this point we’ve only met once, but in speaking with your Mom over the past year I’ve come to grasp what a truly amazing individual you are. Of course I am just am heartbroken by this news. Yet I’m not really all that worried about you because I KNOW you are going to kick this cancer’s ass yet again. You & your entire family are such positive, amazing people I feel honored to have met you and plan to blow the F*&%king doors off at your wedding. Can’t wait, see you soon! SW

Marcia January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:25:00 pm

You will defeat this again, just as you did before, and all your family and friends are behind you 100%. I cannot wait to be there for one of the greatest days of your life. I love you!

Melcal57 January 15, 2013

10/9/2015 03:25:25 pm

Thank you! for sharing what seems to be round 2 of absolute undeniable strength of this just seemingly annoying little cells that want a good fight. You can take em for a 2nd time. There is always a way up, over, around or through an obstacle and you seem to have that figured out with a super human positive attitude….that’ll win ya anytime. Looks like ya got quite the army of love on your side too, so ya ain’t in this alone. Stronger team wins, TAKE EM DOWNNNNN!!!! Sending you lots of good healing energy & love….although I don’t know you, we are all one in the big picture so I will pray for my brother! Xox

Mike Wren January 17, 2013

10/9/2015 03:25:56 pm

TJ-

Keep fighting the good fight my friend, you are stronger than ever now. Stay focused and we will conitnue to send the positive vibes, you know you can win because you have done it before. You are a true inspiration, beleive it.
All of our love and prayers.

The Wrens

Jason February 7, 2013

10/9/2015 03:26:22 pm

TH- I met your parents this evening, and they referred me to your website.
You are a beacon for many people living through cancer.
I assume you inherited your strength from your

Jason February 7, 2013

10/9/2015 03:26:49 pm

TJ- I met your parents this evening, and they referred me to your website.
You are a beacon for many people living through cancer, and your journey is a great example of family strength.
I assume you inherited your verve from your parents, who are immensely proud of you.
Stay strong and never give up.
Jason

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