9/13/24

Greetings Friends,

I have been "under the radar" for a while and recently pinged a few times regarding where I’ve been and what I've been up to. Though not one to share a lot of daily details, at this point I feel comfortable with it as things are going well.

I've had a lesion in my lower back that was being checked every couple of years to keep an eye on it. My primary care doctor told me I was due for the follow-up, and this time the results from that appointment showed changes in the size. It was late August 2023 when a biopsy was performed, and when the results came in I was referred to an Oncologist. Two weeks after that I had a bone marrow biopsy on my hip in order to rule out whether the cancer had spread to other bone areas. Thankfully the results were negative; it had not spread. Then I met with my new Radiologist.

The following week I was getting mapped and tattooed as a prep for five weeks of daily radiation treatments at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus which started in October and ended two weeks before Thanksgiving. The pinpoint radiation treatments started out painless, but towards the end I was definitely feeling fatigued and sore. The first follow-up appointments with my Clinic team were promising, but it was still early, and I was experiencing more pain. Physical Therapy was recommended which I started in January 2024. It was not helping at all, so I was directed to pool therapy which took the weight off of my back… but only while in the pool. Getting dressed started the pain cycle all over again.

The protocol for at least trying PT first lead to a PET/CT scan at the end of the month, and a new doctor to my team - Palliative Care for pain meds. Mid-February I had another MRI which showed more detail of where the cancer ate a hole in the sacrum bone (below the “L’s”), and fractures that had caused stabilization issues in my spine, which was determined to be the cause of my horrible sciatic nerve pain i was dealing with. I was directed to my next specialist, my spine surgeon. Bloodwork and additional Radiology, Oncology, and Palliative appointments ensued, X-rays and anesthesiologist next, insurance approvals, and I was registered for surgery.

My spine surgery was the first week of April, taking about 5 hours and adding more titanium hardware than was initially anticipated in order to secure the fractures and my spine. I left surgery with 32 staples for an approximately 8” incision, along with a drainage tube. I was in hospital at the Clinic for 5 days, then sent home for the recovery to begin. I was taking meds, using ice packs, and using a walker when I was able to get up and take some cautious steps. More follow-up appointments with all of the above Cleveland Clinic doctors on my team, more labs and X-rays, and then a new round of Physical Therapy began mid-May. At that point I was primarily using a cane for support. Radiology and Oncology feel that the cancer was eliminated. Oncology has been pleased with the recent lab tests which have post-cancer results trending in the right direction.

Still using a cane, I left the house for the my first non-appointment in June for our wedding anniversary dinner. The last PT appointment was in July and I continue to make progress while having follow-up appointments which will all continue, but hopefully start to spread out from quarterly now, to bi-annual for a few years. My surgeon recently gave me the green light and removed all my restrictions and told me to ramp up slowly. I was lucky to have such a gifted surgeon in my corner. My sciatic pain is now completely gone, and I'm off all meds. All of my Cleveland Clinic doctors were fantastic, I can’t say enough about them. How fortunate we are to live in an area that has world-class medical care!

I continue a regimen of stretching, walking and exercise. I definitely feel life is finally getting back to normal. I recently fired up the recording gear, so we’ll see what comes of that...

And I would be very remiss if I did not mention my Guardian Angel, my wife Cheryl, who has been by my side throughout this ordeal. She brought me meals when I could not get out of bed or use the stairs, kept track of all my meds and made sure I was taking them as scheduled, took me to every appointment and more, with not a single complaint while having to do double-duty for all the typical household chores I would normally be helping with over many months. She has taken great care of me and is truly awesome. I love her dearly.

So that’s where I’ve been for the last 12 challenging months. Thanks for being here and taking the time to read through this. I was knocked down but I'm back up!

Peace and Good Health to All,

Gary