A Comprehensive Recap

Welcome back to the next Thriving Not Just Surviving blog post. As expected, it was a much slower week with fewer doctor appointments, giving me time to continue digesting the information and events from the past month.

Over the past few weeks I've released a ton of information in the blog regarding the issues that I'm dealing with, but I haven't provided much perspective as well as impact of these issues. I'm going to use this post to give an overall status update on the three medical issues that I'm dealing with and the current plan for moving forward.

Lung Cancer
This is still by far the most serious medical issue. However, it is currently the most controlled. Immunotherapy treatment has been discontinued since last August and my immune system continues to keep the remaining cancer in check. Despite all of this, I'm not considered to be in remission because I still have active cancer in my right lung. Additionally, the cancer is still classified as stage 4. We don't know for sure how long my immune system will be effective in fighting the cancer. It could be forever or it could be a few months. If the cancer begins to progress again we do have several options to manage it.

Epilepsy
Currently, this is the most complex of the three medical issues. Most people that experience seizures never do identify the actual cause. The current plan is not so much about identifying the cause, but ruling out potential causes. The primary cause that needs to be ruled out is an auto-immune response from the immunotherapy I received last year. If this is ruled out then our treatment plan should be fairly simple; taking anti-seizure drugs to manage the epilepsy. We hope to have the test results within the next few weeks that should provide more clarity. 

I've talked with several individuals that have dealt with seizures and discovered that most people with epilepsy are able to effectively manage seizures with medication or lifestyle changes. Many people can go decades without having another seizure. In fact, some epilepsy patients never have another seizure after finding a medication that works.

The severity of the seizures has made this a more complex issue for me, due to the potential for injury. Maureen and I learned a mind boggling seizure fact this past week regarding the physical strength a person experiences during a gran mal seizure. A person experiencing a severe gran mal seizure can obtain strength 10 times their normal strength. Literally superhuman strength. Strength that can shatter the strongest bones in the human body.

Fractured Shoulder
Although this is currently the most painful of the issues, it is also the easiest to fix. My orthopedic surgeon is fairly confident that surgery will not be required, but we won't know for sure until more healing occurs. I already do not have to use the sling 100% of the time and the pain is lessening. I've started performing basic stretches to test my range of motion. Full rehab won't begin for at least a few weeks.

As you can see, all three issues are currently manageable. The intersection of them increases the complexity and uncertainty of the path forward. I'm blessed to have a comprehensive team of doctors that can provide guidance.

I would be remiss if I didn't specifically call out my parents and their amazing support over the past month. My mom has provided my transportation to and from doctor appointments. My mom and dad have been on call 24/7 to ensure that I receive medical care in the event of another seizure. I could not ask for better more supportive parents.

I still don't have an exact date of my return to Kansas City, but I'm hoping sometime in April. I miss all my friends, coworkers, and acquaintances very much. I've enjoyed the kind words and cards that I've received.