I did something today that I didn’t think was possible. I made it to 40 years old. And, in two days I get to see my daughter turn 12. 🙂
I know I haven’t written a blog post in quite a few months. But I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family. When I’m not marveling at my two children morphing into incredible grown humans, I’m taking a million pills and doing every treatment possible. My body has been beaten, abused and dragged through the mud. I’ve been in severe chronic pain for all of the last month. Every day I wake up in pain so bad that I wonder if it’s worth it. Is this latest treatment even working?
I’ve also developed an impossibly rare Cushing’s syndrome. I’m one of probably 4 people in the entire world who’s had cushings from thyroid cancer. And probably the only person in the world to ever get it from medulary thyroid cancer. Cushings sucks. It basically overloads your body with cortisol. It causes massive weight gain (I gained 50lbs in about 6 months with no change in diet) sore joints, vision problems, skin problems, and other problematic problems.
I do have some good news, though. Literally two days ago my doctor called me and said that my latest lab tests came back looking really good. This ‘last hope drug’ is working. Not only is it working but my cancer markers dropped dramatically! So far this med is working better than anything I’ve taken since my diagnosis. That’s pretty damn awesome. And when my tumor shrinks, cushings recedes too. Yay! It’s not a cure. I’m not in remission. But this does buy me a few more months.
This is also part of the reason I’m in so much pain. My cortisol levels dropped so dramatically that my body hasn’t caught up to producing its own cortisol. So hopefully it will get better soon.
I may not post again for another few months, or maybe not at all. I’m trying to enjoy my last however many months I have left. Spending as much time with my family that my energy will allow. A little minecraft (a lot actually :P) and coping with the pain.
My next goal is to make it to my son’s birthday in December. A little ambitious but I’m going to give it a shot.
Thanks to all who have supported me with your donations, loving vibes, prayers, and best wishes.
Much love,
Matt
