We were progressing well with Joe’s prosthetic leg when a spot showed up on a scan in his lung. Since bone cancer spreads to the lungs, Joe was having routines scans to detect things early in case it spread. In February 2018, a lung biopsy confirmed that cancer had spread to Joe’s lungs. It was a hard few days – the day of the biopsy and the day we got the results. The prognosis was grim. That first conversation with his oncologist, when we got the news the cancer had spread, Joe asked his oncologist the best way for him to beat this. The response: those patients who have the best results are the ones who are proactive in their approach rather than passively waiting to be told what to do. Well, proactively navigating our healthcare system and the insurance system is HARD! We got opinions from leaders in cancer care and spoke to so many people. In the end, Joe went on two different drugs – a targeted chemotherapy called Votrient and immunotherapy (KEYTRUDA). Both are powerful drugs. Some can’t handle the side effects of either medicine. It’s a miracle that Joe did.
Uncharted Waters, Uncertain Future
Throughout the journey, Joe’s oncologist often said, “These are uncharted waters,” to many of our questions. I hated hearing those words. I wanted the comfort that came with knowing - knowing if the course of treatment would work. As in life, navigating cancer treatment comes with no guarantees.
Resilience While Recovering
It was during this time that Joe put his oncologist’s advice into practice. When told that he should be doing cardiovascular exercise to help the immunotherapy spread throughout his body, he began swimming. He also began strength training by lifting weights at the YMCA where he swims. He sticks to a daily routine of exercise which not only strengthens his body and clears his mind, but also helps to reduce his stress levels, which was another bit of medical advice he was given. When he was told that cancer loves sugar, he cut most all of it from his diet. Not that he was overly consuming sugar before, but now sweets were ignored.
Because of Joe’s disability, things take more effort and time than for those of us who are able bodied. Joe goes to bed on the early side every night due to all the exercise he does and the energy he expends. By changing his diet, exercising daily, getting plenty of sleep, and managing his stress - Joe was tending to his life. Joe’s last cancer treatment was in fall of 2022. He continues to get routine screenings to ensure he remains cancer free.
