Being a Statistic Sucks: Ending treatment… By choice

The bad news…

My tumor isn't slowing down in growth. It's slowly growing and no treatment at this point is working. So after a very lengthy discussion with doctors and a few days to think about it, I've decided to stop treatment. I'll still be taking a few medications to help with the pain, but that's it, for now.

I was doing a straight chemotherapy that did not involve radiation treatment because of the stage of my tumor (In fact, radiation treatment will not be an option for me; I'd be lucky at this point if it ever becomes an option). The chemo was supposed to drastically reduce the size of the tumor so that surgical removal of the tumor would have a better chance of happening.

And now due to all this I'm hanging in between Stage 1b and Stage 2a. At this point my cancer can be explained by the TNM system (http://lungcancer.about.com/od/lungcancerstages/a/Lung-Cancer-TNM-Staging.htm). I'm at T1bN0M0. But contrary to what the website says I'm not taking any treatment.

So now it's a waiting game, that includes a chest scan every week.

I know I said I would be contacting you all individually but it is just easier telling you all through this blog. It's been a hard 2 weeks trying to convince my family that this is the right thing for me to do. If anyone needs some further explanation (or needs to yell at me because they think I'm risking too much) don't hesitate to call or text. I'll definitely get back to you ASAP.

————

And now for some pictures from the past couple weeks.

For some reason this red tailed hawk has actually been hunting on the ground in the old houses backyard.

——

Got this awesome care package from Joey H. a few days ago. Beer not included but it is definitely my new go to glass when it comes to drinking great beer.