Mr.

I'm a cancer fighter myself! Since being first diagnosed back in May 2009 with Multiple Myeloma (same as Lisa Ray), I decided from that moment I will not let this own me. I actually felt a warming relief now knowing what has been draining me of my energy of the last 6-8 months. Taking things head on has always been my way. So I figured this would be no different. There was no time to feel sorry for one self. Strangely I finally found purpose with my life and this was the battle! Whether it is in the form of bad or good news, one must take hold of it and do good.

To know me, I am a very athletic, physically strong guy, aged 44 that always took care of himself. I was the one guy in my group of friends that had an annual medical, ate healthy, drink little and did not smoke. I water-skied, downhill skied, mountained biked, played volleyball twice weekly and the list goes on. I also continued to work during this time, driving 65kms one way to my office in Oshawa everyday. Not only was I dealing with the cancer, I also had a broken rib (which is how we discovered this), I was anemic, and also had acquired through the chemo a blood clot in my right leg. I guess fate really doesn't play favourites, you can do all the right things and still be so unfortunate with so many things going wrong. At this point I thought to myself, if god wants to take me down, he'll have to hit me with more than just this small list of things! My self reserve and toughness was really started to shine through at this point.

The summer of 2009 was a tough one, but I have managed to survive that first 4 months round of chemo (Dexamethasone and Velcade) and get my self set for a stem-cell transplant for December. While waiting on "the list" I at a very last minute decided to get involved in a PMH charity event. The 5k Your Way for Multiple Myeloma. With 8 days before the event I started my charity drive. I set a goal of $2000 and in 2 hours I achieved that. I then upped the goal to $5000 and before that weekend I hit that. After a week, I was floored to find out that I managed to raise $10,000 towards this cause the first time out. It was a good feeling and one were my sense of purpose really kicked in. It also was a good break while I waited for the call to be admitted for the SCT. The stem-cell transplant seemed like a breeze. I was able to walk 3 km's everyday on the hospital floor as we were confined due to our weakened immune system. The toughest thing was the hospital food. Gosh, someone really needs to let them know at PMH that it would go a long way to recouping when the food actually tastes like the food it resembles!

Apparently I was a text book case during my stay at the wonderful Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. By the way, I just cannpt say enough about the doctors, nurses and staff at that place! Thank you... seems so little. Back to my text book case. I got my Christmas present and was released on Christmas Day. My recouping was none eventful much like my experience in PMH. I had no really side effects or complications. Just long boring days. Even my energy levels with low red blood counts didn't seem to slow me.

February showed up and so did the Olympics in Vancouver. Opportunity presented itself to me do off I went to see the spectacle. It was awesome! At this point the neupogen I received in December decide to show its side-effects. The soles of my feet were burning, but again I decided I wasn't going to let this run my life and I pushed on and walked Robson St., saw 5 hockey games, and took in skiing in Whistler. It was worth it and the extreme pain I felt everyday and night in my feet for four weeks finally disappeared.

Easter then showed up and so was a trip we had planned to beautiful Antigua with my beautiful girlfriend. It was a week well deserved for both of us. She has been so good sticking by my side. Supporting me, but I believe this is tougher on her than me. The resort was something out of a dream! Just incredible! The greatest thing though happened on the Wednesday mid week on the beach which we had all to ourselves. I proposed and she said yes! The proposal is a story in its self, which I will tell another time time. We were both very happy. Wedding is to be spring of 2010. Hopefully on a day that is just as memorable!

As you can see, I haven't sat back and watched the world go by and felt sorry for myself. I have continued on, doing things and keeping busy with others, not sitting back and waiting for it to come to me. You have to really take life by the horns and live it!

Finally in May it was found that the SCT was not as successful as we all hoped. Back to the drawing board. It was actually having a nice break from the drugs from January to June. The mind was once again clear, decisive and concise. Oh... what a feeling! No more fog! haha! Unfortunately short lived and since the end of June I have been back on Dex along with Revlamid. Both have been working their magic and results are looking good. Perhaps a partial remission is in order? Let's hope because work in a fog is always a challenge!

Speaking of work, no more drive to Oshawa 65 km one way. It's now a walk to the downtown towers which takes all of 15 minutes. Some things we need to do for ourselves is to eliminate unnecessary stresses, eat better, get excercise and keep a sound mind. Please read the Anti-Cancer book it will do you good! I especially liked what I learned about eating. No more sugar, no more white or bleached flours. Eat lots of veggies, and also remember to get lots of sleep.

So today I sit and I am writing this quick and short note. I hope it gives someone a sense of comfort knowing others are walking this road. Keep brave, hold your head high and take control of your life. You only get on chance and this is it regardless of the cards dealt!

Be well!