Okay, Here's the Deal

It's already June 2011.  My last update, which itself was late to arrive, was in January.  So obviously I haven't taken the same interest in updating my blog as I did during my previous bouts with cancer. There's a reason for it. I'm not happy with my prognosis.  It's been hard on me this time.  Cancer changes your daily life, but when it metastasizes, it changes your future.

The PET scan in November revealed that my cancer spread to both lungs, several lymph nodes, various and sundry soft tissue, and my bones (including a spot on my spine - and remember that rib that was hurting me? -  there, too).   In other words, the monster is on the loose.  I'll spend the rest of my life tracking it down and trying to contain it.

I started a clinical trial in early December. I have chemo twice a week for two weeks, followed by a week off.  It's a three-week cycle that I will repeat continuously for at least a year. . . or until it stops working.  I also have to face the possibility that I will be on chemo, whether it's the current regimen or some other, for the remainder of my days.  I can only hope those days turn into years.

I'm feeling a little defiant today.   So in the vein of Bon Jovi's song "It's My Life,"  I'm taking back my power to beat this disease....AGAIN...and I'm going to try to "live while I'm alive."   Click on the link below, then crank it up and sing along. You might want to open another window first so you can refer to the lyrics at the same time.

"The link below." (Note: if it you receive a security message, choose okay to continue to the site. Be sure to give it a chance to load.)

This ain't a song for the brokenhearted

No silent prayer for faith departed

And I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd

You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud

It's my life

It's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

It's my life

This is for ones who stood their ground

For Tommy and Gina who never backed down

Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake

Luck ain't even lucky, gotta make your own breaks

It's my life

It's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

It's my life

You better stand tall

When they're calling you out

Don't bend, don't break

Baby, don't back down

It's my life

It's now or never

'Cause I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

And it's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

'Cause it's my life!