They say life's challenges happens in 3's - 1 Car & 2 Cancers

[InspectorGadget]

I had some help from a couple other motorists, but this past November I totaled my beloved Legacy GT wagon. I miss that car, but I wasn't hurt in the slightest and that's the best that can be said about the accident. (Life challenge #1)

MY wife had a mammogram in August that was clear; however, she noticed some changes in her left breast and made an appointment to see her doctor. The appointment was right before Thanksgiving and they wound up doing a biopsy on the spot. It's the Monday after Thanksgiving and the phone rang - Tracy has breast cancer. We met with a breast specialist/surgeon later that week and learned Tracy's breast cancer - inflammatory ductal carcinoma - is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer accounting for only 1-5% of all breast cancers. Tracy will undergo 8 rounds of chemo followed by a radical mastectomy followed by radiation. As though if having cancer isn't already scary enough, the doctor told us they wouldn't even do the surgery if she doesn't respond to the chemo. (Life challenge #2)

I'd had a long-standing appointment for a physical; which was the same afternoon we met with the breast specialist. My doctor said I was in good health and all my test results were normal. A week later I got a call from my doc; my PSA level was elevated and she wanted to run the test again. After the second test my PSA was even higher and she referred me to a urologist. A digital inspection by my urologist confirmed a nodule on the right side of my prostate. A subsequent biopsy and a phone call the Monday after New Years confirmed I have prostate cancer. Not sure how soon I'll be able to sit on a bicycle saddle, but soon I hope. (Life challenge #3)

Hell, I thought we were in for the fight of our lives when it was just Tracy. Since my diagnosis, we are in this fight together more than I could have ever imagined. Not that we ever lived on meat and potatoes, we have also changed our diet to a plant based, whole-food diet. My wife and I have made a very conscious decision to remain positive throughout this process and maintain a sense of humor along the way. And, now we have matching haircuts. Which has never happened in 28 years of marriage.

It's really been an amazing and humbling process as friends and family have shown us kindness and love you don't experience on a day-to-day basis. My sister-in-law created a Go Fund Me account for us and it's truly humbling to read some of the comments from friends and complete strangers alike.

[MattTuck]

Rich (I'm guessing that is your name),

Good luck to you and your wife. I'll be pulling for both of you.

[AngryScientist]

I think you're most likely right about the 3's. Now that you've got those over with, it's time for some good luck to come your way!

Good on ya for keeping up the good attitude, i think that's tremendously important.

wishing you and your lovely wife the best. You're both gonna beat it, I know it.

[OtayBW]

^^^ Man, that sucks. To be honest, my first impression was to be kind of freaked out (and actually kind of mad...) that you both could be given a clean bill of health after having been checked for these things, only then to be diagnosed just a short time later. That's scary.

Best of luck to you both.

[jmal]

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnoses, but you are on the right track by adopting a positive attitude. I worked in oncology for many years and have witnessed the tremendous difference a positive attitude can make. I wish you and your wife the best as you work through this together.

[K u r t]

InspectorGadget- I'm wishing you Love, Gratitude and Light!!!

Most positive thoughts going out to you and your family. Be well.

[Matthew]

Wishing the best for both of you. That is just a devastating string of bad luck. Here's hoping both of you make full recoveries! All of the Paceline wishes you both the best. Matthew

[snah]

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

[ariw]

This doc is my neighbor, just got fda approval for this treatment:

http://www.sarasotaprostate.com

Ari

[SpeedyChix]

Wishing you both a successful run through treatment and to full healthy lives.

[rpm]

There's no way you can control what challenges life throws at you, but you can control how you react to them. It sounds like you're doing your best to deal with this pile of misfortune in the most positive possible way. Keep it up and surround yourself with people who will support you in those times when you feel beaten down. I've been through a bunch of things myself, and I take comfort in an old proverb, "God gives you burdens; also shoulders."

[Raffy]

Best wishes and prayers to you and your wife.

[nm87710]

There's no way you can control what challenges life throws at you, but you can control how you react to them. It sounds like you're doing your best to deal with this pile of misfortune in the most positive possible way. Keep it up and surround yourself with people who will support you in those times when you feel beaten down. I've been through a bunch of things myself, and I take comfort in an old proverb, "God gives you burdens; also shoulders."

+ 1

We are all given challenges in life but God never gives us something we can't grow to handle...

[ctcyclistbob]

All the best to both of you in beating this challenge. My thoughts and prayers are with you, and please keep up the positive attitude.

[gasman]

Oh man I'm so sorry to read this. Life is so unfair sometimes that it's hard to believe one family could have so much bad happen. A positive attitude will help both of you and I wish you the best of luck in your journey ahead.

May wind stay at your back.

[William]

Wishing you the best as you work through this together. Keep your heads up and the positive attitudes strong as you can.






William

[stephenmarklay]

I read a little book last month that I really liked. It was actually a book written by the wife of the CEO of the company I work for.

Their son at a very young age was also afflicted with cancer. However, now many years later he is strong healthy and cancer free.

Please watch this https://vimeo.com/147639335 and consider purchasing the book (I think it is only about $5)

Both of your recovery starts with how you think.

God speed.

[ultraman6970]

Just in case...

https://www.gofundme.com/rich-tracy

[clyde the point]

Prayers sent.

[soulspinner]

May God see you both through this.

[oldpotatoe]

Stick together, work together, love together. Strength in numbers. Believe the Docs, talk to them and each other. No secrets. It's ok to feel down and out.

"It'll be ok in the end, If it's not OK, it's not the end".

My Son, father, brother, son's father in law and mother in law and his best friend all have had cancer.

Do things you can that don't involve sitting around thinking about being sick..go for long walks, watch kids and puppies and kittens..

[buddybikes]

Sure you have best doctors/hospitals but in case you don't find them! Friend around corner has agressive colon cancer, was giving 10mos at most, that was 2.5 years ago, now handled as a chronic condition. He search out a college buddy from Harvard at Mass General. Dig for possibilities and live life.

How priorities change for us when reality hits. We all even as healthy, need to stop, look, sigh, and see what is truly most important for us physically, emotionally, spiritually. I always like the old YMCA motto Body, Mind, Spirit

[ANAO]

You are amazing. Keep it up, thoughts and prayers with the both of you, hoping for a speedy and full recovery!!

[d_man16]

Wishing you the best, stay strong my friend

BR,

~D

[veloduffer]

I have a large family and so cancer has touched ours several times, including my younger sister with lung cancer. You hear amazing stories and meet terrific people who have survived (my wife's friend has had lung cancer 3x and beat it each time!).

Keep your spirits up, enjoy what matters to you and good luck. I wish/hope a speedy recovery for you and your wife.

[giverdada]

well, teary-eyed here at work while the winter storm rages outside, i thank you for posting and for your courage. the part about the matching haircuts got me.

yesterday was my father-in-law's birthday. were it not for the colon cancer, he would have been 67. we all really miss him. and the strength it takes to fight cancer, to lose to cancer, to beat cancer like you and your lady will, that is huge strength. obviously i wouldn't wish the stuff on anyone, but i wish you and your lady all the strength you need and then some.

your diet and positive outlook and strong partnership all look like things in the right direction, and i hope that they really work out for you both. you can do it!

n.

[InspectorGadget]

I just want to say "thank you!"

Tracy and I are overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of love and support we've received from family, friends and complete strangers.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[ANAO]

A stranger's just a friend you haven't yet met.

We're here, in your corner. You got this.

[InspectorGadget]

I know I've been a ghost around these parts for a long time; sometimes life gets in the way of hangin' with your internet riding buddies and IRL friends. While it is still April, this is not the April Fool's prank I would like to pull on all y'all; I'm just sorry I can't give each of you one of Mrs. Gadget's cupcakes with a cotton ball baked inside.

I won't go into the minutiae, but I will tell you it came on quickly. Mrs. Gadget has been diagnosed with a new metastatic inflammatory breast cancer. The PET CT shows cancer in the breast, bone, and lymph system. She has also been diagnosed with retroperitoneal fibrosis (you can google if you want to know more) which they are calling a mass or a tumor; it is encroaching on the inferior vena cava, descending aorta, ureters, and, to a lesser degree, her liver. So far, she's had 3 doses of chemo and one dose each of XGiva and immunotherapy. After another week in Huntsman Cancer Hospital for an infection, Mrs. gadget was released yesterday.

While I am scared ****less for obvious reasons, Mrs. Gadget is both tough and determined and her Team at Huntsman is amazing. For those reasons and more, I am optimistic that our 34-year love affair has more chapters yet to be written.

Keeping everyone that knows and loves Mrs. Gadget up-to-date via calls, emails, and text messages quickly became an overwhelming task, so I started a site at Caring Bridge (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/tracypugmirelee-heber) for people that want to follow her journey.

[fmradio516]

Really sorry to hear this.

In 2020, at 29 years old, my wife was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer, which would be the second time she had cancer in her life; neither of which related to the other. Found out she was going to need to have a colostomy bag for the rest of her life. A few days later, we found out that the first cancer treatment destroyed her fertility and nixed any chance of her having children of her own. It was a lot to deal with and I cant imagine what you're going through right now... PM me if you ever need to vent. I know I needed to.

[InspectorGadget]

Really sorry to hear this.

In 2020, at 29 years old, my wife was diagnosed with Stage 3 rectal cancer, which would be the second time she had cancer in her life; neither of which related to the other. Found out she was going to need to have a colostomy bag for the rest of her life. A few days later, we found out that the first cancer treatment destroyed her fertility and nixed any chance of her having children of her own. It was a lot to deal with and I cant imagine what you're going through right now... PM me if you ever need to vent. I know I needed to.
fmradio - I am so very sorry to hear about your young bride. The fact that she has cancer is bad enough, but adding the other things to the list is devastating.

Big hug!

[DHallerman]

My heart is with you. My wife and I have two loved ones close to the end. It’s hard and it’s love. - Dave

[gasman]

I missed this original thread from 2016 and I'm really sorry to hear the latest news on your wife.
Sending you good thoughts and best of wishes in what has to be an unbelievably difficult time in your lives.

[makoti]

I wish you and your wife the best. I have a sister who has been fighting Breast Cancer for going on 35 years now. Caught it, beat it, came back, repeat. It's been very hard to watch, but the quiet strength she has shown is amazing. Hopefully, Mrs Gadget can beat this one back as well and she has many more years to share with you.

[InspectorGadget]

I have a sister who has been fighting Breast Cancer for going on 35 years now.

35 years?! I know it's still cancer, but good for your sister.

Mrs. Gadget's oncologist told her there is no cure and no recovery. She will get chemo weekly until it no longer works or until she's had enough. All in all, it is a ****ty situation. However, I am very grateful for my wife's positive attitude and strong will.

[fellowpicker]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[ToonaBP]

I’m very sorry to hear about your wife, but “C” always seems to find a way. After my wife’s initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2011, she went 8 years cancer free. But in 2019 she developed a cough… she couldn’t believe it came back… to her lungs… treatments every three weeks for life… settled into the treatment schedule and felt fine… last August I noticed subtle changes in her motor skills and she didn’t want to go to our yearly beach vacation. We came home a few days early since I had hernia issues…looking back ..I still don’t know how she drove home. Three days later, woke up with a headache… thought it was a sinus infection… but I was worried about the other symptoms… her friend help talk her into going to ER… brain scan not normal… transported to Fairfax main… MRI showed 8 tumors in her brain…. After five rounds of radiation, the largest…5cmx3cm… is still growing… as I write this, I’m in the waiting room of the OR… after 5 1/2 hours of surgery, the doc just said they had to leave a portion that was attached to an artery…. my wife will be devastated when she wakes up ……

[reuben]

I’m very sorry to hear about your wife, but “C” always seems to find a way. After my wife’s initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2011, she went 8 years cancer free. But in 2019 she developed a cough… she couldn’t believe it came back… to her lungs… treatments every three weeks for life… settled into the treatment schedule and felt fine… last August I noticed subtle changes in her motor skills and she didn’t want to go to our yearly beach vacation. We came home a few days early since I had hernia issues…looking back ..I still don’t know how she drove home. Three days later, woke up with a headache… thought it was a sinus infection… but I was worried about the other symptoms… her friend help talk her into going to ER… brain scan not normal… transported to Fairfax main… MRI showed 8 tumors in her brain…. After five rounds of radiation, the largest…5cmx3cm… is still growing… as I write this, I’m in the waiting room of the OR… after 5 1/2 hours of surgery, the doc just said they had to leave a portion that was attached to an artery…. my wife will be devastated when she wakes up ……

Oh God.

I read these stories in a backpacking forum, and now here as well. You are all far tougher than I am.

I don't know what to say, but "thoughts and prayers" just doesn't seem to cut it.

[InspectorGadget]

I’m very sorry to hear about your wife, but “C” always seems to find a way.

Thank you, ToonaBP.

I am so very sorry to hear about your wife. Cancer robs way too many victims of their lives and leaves too many families grieving the loss of their loved ones.

I find myself in an impossible position. One I could never have imagined being faced with. I desperately want every day I can get with my wife. But I absolutely do not want her to suffer. How does a person find balance.



Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

[soulspinner]

Just saw this . Prayers.