Howdy, it’s been close to a year since I was diagnosed. I feel great and I am Thriving.
I had PET, CT scans last week, and my doctors are delighted. The PET scan is negative (completely cold) and the CAT scan shows that my largest liver lesion is in fact smaller on this scan (which is very good news), and the other liver lesions are stable (there are 14 lesions in all). At this time, I do not have a consensus with respect to undergoing major surgery or “Stay the Course” (hmm….this is one case where it might make sense). Over the next few weeks, we’ll have a conference call and sort this out. Stay tuned.
I have the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon this coming weekend and continue to train for the NYC marathon. Like last year’s marathon, we are assembling a group of “tag along” runners (Paul’s Posse). Each runner will relay with me from the start to the finish. As a relay, no one person has to run any great distance (and trust me I won’t be going very fast). For those not tagging along, we’ll have a “cheering point” on 1st Avenue.
We will have Paul’s Posse running jerseys and after the race, and we’ll meet at a local wine bar bistro for a post race celebration.
If you are in New York City and would you like to be part of “Paul’s Posse” or join us for the post race? If so, let me know so we can plan accordingly.
As one of my doctors said after completing the Pan-Mass Challenge, let’s “Posse up”.
The following poem was sent to me last year just before I was diagnosed. I may have shared it with you before, but I thought it is worth revisiting.
(Be sure to read it all the way through)
Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end,
Yet the days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone.
And I never see my old friends face,
For life is a swift and terrible race,
He knows I like him just as well,
As in the days when I rang his bell.
And he rang mine but we were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men.
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow" I say! "I will call on Jim
Just to show that I'm thinking of him."
But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes,
And distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner, yet miles away,
"Here's a telegram sir," "Jim died today."
And that's what we get and deserve in the end.
Around the corner, a vanished friend.
Remember to always say what you mean. If you love someone, tell them. Don't be afraid to express yourself. Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you.
Because when you decide that it is the right time it might be too late. Seize the day. Never have regrets. And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have helped make you the person that you are today.
Thrive on,
Paul
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