A Small Victory Before the Starting Gun Fires.

7/18/2011

Happy Monday Everyone!

Your positive energy, thoughts and prayers are working. A visit with my medical team this morning went better than expected. The cancer which was originally diagnosed as spread and forming tumors in some… shall we say… “not-so-good” lymph-nodes is no longer present. The 10 marble size tumors that are spread throughout my liver and were shown in my original CT scan are now numbered at only 8. Some may say that it was just the inaccuracy of the original scan… not me. I think this thing may have just caught sight of what is coming after it and is high tailing it for the hills.

With your support I only grow stronger, with your prayers I become more resilient and with your positive thoughts my focus is xen-like. I will not stop believing, working and fighting until I have rid this cancer from my body.

I Love you all and thank you for the support, keep it coming – Teej

p.s. Below is an approximate layout of the battle ahead. If I am corrected or anything changes I will be sure to update you.

Thursday 7/21 – I have a port inserted into my my chest. This will be the median that the chemo-therapy and other drugs are delivered to my body.

Step 1: Chemo (8-12 weeks of Chemo)

Monday 7/25 – Blood draw, visit with my nurse Theresa and beginning my chemo-therapy treatment. Chemo Drugs:

Fluorouracil
Oxalipatin
Leucovorin calcium
Irinotecan

Step 2: Surgery (Following chemo month 3 or 4)

First liver surgery removing the larger majority of cancer cells in my liver. Because the Tumors are spread throughout my liver, they simply can’t just remove all of them. The liver requires 20% of it to support human life and regenerate. After the surgery is complete and the liver regenerates then:
Second Liver surgery to remove remainder of cancerous cells in the liver and cells in the colon.

Step 3: More Chemo (Month 4-6, not sure the length maybe 2- 6 months) and possible radiation to kill the remaining cancer cells in the colon.
Step 4. Cured

15 Comments

Peter Gett July 18, 2011

10/10/2015 01:27:49 pm

Step 5: Dance your ass off at my wedding next year.

You’re going to absolute destroy this thing, pal. I’m looking forward to celebrating your good health in a few months. You know what number to call if you need anything.

-Peter

Liz gett July 18, 2011

10/10/2015 01:28:40 pm

Wow TJ – positive news indeed! I have no doubt that you will beat this, and as Peter said, will be dancing the night away with Amanda on August 18th, 2012! Lots of love, Liz

Melissa (Armstrong) Fabick July 18, 2011

10/10/2015 01:29:07 pm

If those rumors know what is best for them, they will sure run for the hills. There are an entire “army” of friends and family who are charging full force after them through the power of prayer.

Keep up the good fight, TJ. We are praying for you and will certainly be rooting for you on the sideline of the battle field as you tackle your first battle on Thurs. and then conquer the second battle on Monday.

Thinking of you,
Melissa

Melissa (Armstrong) Fabick July 18, 2011

10/10/2015 01:29:25 pm

Sorry… Tumors not “rumors” oops!!

kayley haupt July 18, 2011

10/10/2015 01:29:46 pm

“Just Do It” Teej!
xoxo
Kayley

Andrew Hitz July 19, 2011

10/10/2015 01:30:14 pm

I’m a big fan of Step 4 but realize you have to do them in order! You’ve got this TJ.

Keep it up!

Robin Kaplan Price July 19, 2011

10/10/2015 01:30:32 pm

Thrilled to hear this terrific news and agree that the healing has already begun :). Your positive attitude combined with the endless love + prayers of the enormous support group cheering for you is SO MUCH stronger than those “marbles” which will continue to sprint for the hills!

Smiles,
Robin

Dottie Thelen July 18, 2011

10/10/2015 01:30:51 pm

Hi Teej,

Just got from work and read your update, the prayers are already working
Just keep the good updates coming.

Love you the most,
Dottie

Katie Fagin Shay July 19, 2011

10/10/2015 01:31:09 pm

Teej –
Your energy, positive thoughts and strength are an inspiration for all of us too! Amazing.
Love you, keep it up!
-katie

Julie Murphy July 19, 2011

10/10/2015 01:31:29 pm

I love step #4 … this post definitely made me smile :)

Bill Hewins July 20, 2011

10/10/2015 01:31:49 pm

Teej,
So glad you are with Mass General. They provide the best of everything: expertise, knowledge sharing, hope and faith, and we love the team approach they use to help the patient and the family to a successful result in an open and collaborative way.
You inspire us all!
Bill

Kathy Wilson July 20, 2011

10/10/2015 01:32:06 pm

Hi TJ, I find myself turning on my laptop every morning just to read your incredible blog. It truly inspires me for the day. Your positive and candid approach to your illness is both gutsy and refreshing, just like you! Love, Kathy Wilson

Mrs.Armstrong July 20, 2011

10/10/2015 01:32:25 pm

I saw this quote and thought immediately of you! You are amazing!!!!
“The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results” Norman Vincent Peale
Xo
Eleanor Armstrong

Tony Baudanza July 22, 2011

10/10/2015 01:32:49 pm

Norman Vincent Peale is one of my favorite authors. I keep a tattered copy of “You Can If You Think You Can” on my bedside table. Here are two more of his quotes….”A positive mental attitude is a belief that things are going to turn out well, and that you can overcome any kind of trouble or difficulty.” and “The tests of life are not meant to break you, but to make you.”
Go TEEEJ Love ya

joe roller July 21, 2011

10/10/2015 01:33:10 pm

Teej,

Excellent news on isolation of tumors to colon and liver. Big time positive!
Thanks for laying out details of game plan. I know, not really a game but you get it. Rigorous schedule but you are up for it.

Best

Joe

TJ's Challenge Blog

A Small Victory Before the Starting Gun Fires.

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