Happy Hump Day, y’all! Fitzie got called away, so you get me today.
Lately, when I’ve had the opportunity to guest-write the Hoddle I’ve taken the opportunity to give y’all an update on my cancer journey. Since I last Hoddled, I finished my chemotherapy regimen (completed last January), only to discover another liver lesion on the same lobe I had removed last year, very close to the site of the original tumor. I had surgery in early July to remove that lesion, my third major surgery and second liver resection
in 18 months.
My type of cancer, stage IV colon adenocarcinoma, has a high risk of recurrence, and I have genetic markers (KRAS+) that make me more likely to have another recurrence in the future. Because of that, my doctors have me on a very sensitive blood test, a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) that looks for teeny tiny fragments of cancer DNA in my bloodstream. My oncologists were so concerned about me that they had me scheduled to start another 12-cycle round of chemotherapy if my test came back even marginally positive.
My test came back two weeks ago — undetectable levels of cancer DNA in my system. This means I’m clean and back in monitoring — no further chemo or systemic treatment, and I get tested again in November. It’s the best possible news I could’ve had.
Since my negative test, I’ve shifted my focus to what I should be doing to maximize my chances of staying negative. There’s a huge amount of holistic and naturopathic data that suggests I can help myself by changing my diet, avoiding excessive alcohol and processed foods, and really dialing in my microbiome to maximize the gut-head connection. I’m just starting this journey, but I figure I’ve got nothing to lose.
It’s not a difficult shift for me, really. I cook at home a lot and rarely eat out, and so it’s more a matter of getting more vegetables and lean protein in me regularly, adding fermented foods (sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchi), turmeric and turkey tail/reishi supplements, and probiotics. Exercise, meditation, drinking more water, better and more regular sleep. All stuff I really should be doing anyway, only this time I’ve got a really good reason for doing it — because I want to live to see my kids graduate from college, get married, have kids of their own.
Nothing’s a guarantee, but this sure does feel like a great opportunity to make some changes that will benefit me.
Are any of the rest of you on a similar journey? I’d love to hear about your experiences, maybe get some tips or advice.
Track of the Day: “From the Start,” Laufey
Your Links of the Day…
Celtic were stunned by Kazakh club Kairat Almaty after penalties yesterday in Champions League qualifying.
Wolves knocked West Ham out of the EFL Cup in the 2nd round yesterday, winning 3-2. Elsewhere, Sheffield Wednesday knocked out Leeds.
Here’s who the Guardian suggests you watch in Women’s Champions League action this week.
Everton’s new stadium, Hill Dickenson Stadium, kind of rules.
