Another Week II

This week has been good – I did a lot of sleeping. I’m still tired… the radiation takes time to get out of your system. But other than being exhausted I feel great… the best I have felt since this whole nightmare started. I don’t have a whole lot to share with you today since most of my week was spent sleeping. However I do have one good thing. I went to get my blood work done on Tuesday and the doctor said that my numbers are so good and I am doing so good that I don’t have to get blood taken every week any more… so that is great news.

Another Week

This has been a good week as I said on Monday I am finished with radiation and am off chemo for a month. So for the next month I free from all that is cancer. As of Friday I have gone two months without a seizure and that is just awesome. Four more months of being seizure free and I can drive again… I can’t wait for that. I just have to get a new car at some point before that (any suggestions?) Seriously all is good I am still tired but I feel great. I did a new video blog click this link to check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2tT6s83IBo I don’t have much more to say today so I/m going to keep this one short. Thanks again for all the support and prayers you all are the best.

A Day to Celebrate

Yesterday was a day to celebrate – it was my last day of radiation. It was a good day!!! It was fun too! When I finished the last session the nurses had a bubble machine going for me, were blowing whistles and gave me hugs and they gave a special certificate of completion… it was very nice and I can’t say enough about how great everyone at Lynn Cancer Institute is. After the radiation was finished I had a celebratory lunch with my brother and father – it was a good time. When Kim got home with Cole I had some special daddy time with Cole and we went for a bike ride… There is nothing better than spending time with Cole. Then after the bike ride we came home to a great smelling house… Kim had made me a special dinner, so the three of us had a congratulatory dinner and I could not have had a better day. Thanks you to everyone. This is now one hurdle down. I still have a combat to fight but with the continued love and support I continue to receive I will win this battle and can’t thank you all for the love, support and prayers. I love you all.

Now for the next month I am off no radiation and no chemo. Wow what will I do? I still can’t drive and that does suck… so getting around will be hard. I still have people offering to drive me wherever I need to go but you know what it is hard to ask… I don’t know why it is so hard to ask but it just is.

In one month the really hard part starts my chemo doubles. It is still the chemo pill but it may make me sick I don’t know. I hope I handle it well and can get back to doing some work but time will tell. Recently I have been feeling a little sick from the pills so I’m guessing that doubling the dose will make me a little sicker. If I am sick and stuck in bed I will need some of you to recommend some good movies to rent.

Other than all that things are still great and I still think life is good.

Deep Thoughts by Michael

I was thinking the other day… what is there to do? Where is there to go that I either haven’t done before or haven’t been to? I could think of much. I feel most cancer patients go through this thought process… let’s face it we are forced to confront our own mortality… and that is not a bad thing. It let me prioritize my priorities. As is have said before and I’ll say again family is the most important thing in the world. Without them you got nothing.

Yes there are places I would like to go to that I haven’t been to before things I haven’t done… I have yet to go deep see diving. I would like to do these things and go to these places before cancer takes over… if it ever does takes over. I would like to go to the Grand Canyon, see the country. Go to Paris, Israel, Europe… I would like to travel the world. But if I never did any of these things for whatever reasons I would still be happy as long as I had my family. Family is everything.

First off I consider myself very lucky I have been able to experience a lot of really cool things being in the business I am in. Let’s see I have met Presidents, The Governor, countless celebrities, flown in black hawks, stood in the eye of hurricanes as they made land fall, flown in stunt planes, shot video in the middle of a riot, sky dived, bungee jumped, met the rich, met the poor climbed water falls in Cost Rica I have been able to do and see a lot… life has been very exciting – so if I don’t ever do anything other than spend time with family then I am doing not just doing remarkable and great but I will be awesome. Life isn’t about where you have been or what you have done, who has the most money or toys… it is about family – family family family.

Funny Story

Well I have a funny story to tell… I at least think it’s funny. Yesterday while walking the dog I ran into a neighbor that I hadn’t seen in months – she tells me not knowing what I am going through “you look good. I like the short hair look on you.” Me being the funny person I can be and having a good attitude about what I’m going through tells her “that’s what chemo and radiation will do to you.” – You should have seen her face… her jaw dropped to the ground. The look on her face was horror and total shock… she starts telling me she is so sorry and didn’t mean anything about it. I tell her it’s okay and that I have to have a scence of humor to get through this. I still think she felt bad after. But what could I do?

On another note things are still going great – I met with my radiation Dr. this morning and he told me I am still doing great. The fun thing about radiation is each day I wait with the same people, we are kind of becoming friends – there is an unspoken bond between all of us we are all going through the same thing.

Another funny thing is since I have gotten sick I don’t like potatoes… not baked, not french fries, not potatoes chips – I only like them if they are in a soup. And I have had a craving for donuts… I want donuts 24/7 (you would think I was Homer Simpson). I also have a craving for a Taco Bell taco… You would think I was pregnant.

Nothing New

Not much to write about today – I am feeling great and things are going good for me. Including today I have five more zaps of radiation and Monday will be me last zap. My father is taking me so we plan on meeting my brother for lunch and celebrating that. But don’t think things will get easy for me after that. A few weeks after radiation is done my chemo pills double so I have no idea how that will make me feel So far with the chemo I am feeling fine a little nauseous but nothing I can’t handle so far. But I may get sicker form the new larger dose of chemo pills… I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed that I don’t get sick from them… I would like to get some work done – and not having to go to radiation allows me to get more work done.

Like I said not much to report today – thanks again for all the love and support

Camera/Cancer

Kim and I were recently talking and wondering if there was any correlation between my professional video camera and my brain tumor/cancer. The camera sits just next to where my tumor is… when it is on my shoulder it is rite where the tumor is. Has anyone heard of any other photojournalists having a brain tumor/cancer? It’s too much of a coincidence that the brain tumor/cancer is where the cameras sits. Please let me know if you have heard of this happening to any other fellow photojournalists.

As far as me I am feeling great doing good and after a recent visit to my doctors my outlook is even better. My EEG came back great! The doctor said there was no sign of seizures and that I am doing better than average. They all seem to be surprised at how well I am doing. When your doctor is surprised at how well you’re doing you know you’re doing remarkably good. I have eight sessions of radiation left then I stay on chemo for a few weeks then I am of both radiation and chemo for a few weeks before I my chemo doubles and radiation is gone forever. When the chemo doubles its only five days a month and it is still the pills so I hope I handle it well. I still can’t drive for another five months so I will need to figure out what to do with my time. I will try to work for myself and help my partners with thelaw.tv. As long as I can get a ride to wherever I need I think I’ll be okay.

Cancer Should be A Four Letter Word

The definition of cancer is – a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis.

That is what I have cancer – wow I still can’t believe I have it. Not just cancer but brain cancer. I was living my life as normal as could be and then one day I wake up have a seizure and find out latter I have brain cancer. It is still hard to believe. What is more shocking is how prevalent cancer is. I can’t escape it. If it’s not a friend it’s a friend of a friend everyone knows somebody with cancer. Cancer is everywhere! It’s on the news it’s on my favorite TV shows it’s everywhere. Izzy on Gray’s Anatomy has brain cancer. (Although I think their portrayal of it is not realistic). Cancer is everywhere. We just can’t escape it.

I just watched GMA and saw a story about a ten year old girl who has breast cancer and had to have a double mastectomy… ten years old and she has breast cancer! WHAT’ THE HELL IS GOING ON?! This is should not happen! But this young girl was and is strong… someone else for me to draw strength and inspiration from. If this young lady can go through something that most adults find impossible I can get through it too… I know I can get through and survive my brain cancer. This is what I do I find people and ways to draw my strength from. It is hard to wake up and live a normal life… if and when I am found to be cancer free I think life will be difficult to live. It’s the uncertainty that cancer is. When I am cancer free I will still wake up each day not knowing if that’s the day it could come back. How do you live life that way? I’ll just have to find out.

Cancer will be a part of my family’s life forever. I know it’s hard for Kim to watch me go through this… she may not have cancer herself but she is living with it as much as I am… in fact I think it’s harder at times for her and the rest of the family than it is for me.. if something does happen to me they are the ones left behind… they are the ones left to pick up the pieces. Cancer is a six letter word but it should really be a four letter word. Cancer… if it happened to me it can happen to you. Each day is a gift… don’t sweet the small stuff… enjoy life.

More Questions Answered

I was recently asked “Did you know, deep down, that you were seriously sick before the doctor told you? I think the human body knows more about itself than any physician or medical test. I ask this because I knew 100% that I was pregnant before any pee or blood test proved it true. Conversely, I think positive thought (which you have a million times over!!!!) can be just as healing as modern medicine (radiation, chemo).”

I had no idea I was sick – I felt normal as could be… the doctors were even surprised that I had no signs. They thought that I would have at least had a few headaches from the tumor pushing on my brain. The first sign was when I had my first seizure… this day started of normal. Cole was off from school so we had what I like to call a daddy day. I took him to Chuck E Cheese and we had a great time. After Chuck E Cheese we went home and played until Kim got home. Kim came home and the three of us went out to dinner. After dinner both Kim and I felt sick… we thought we had food poisoning… this is when my fist seizure happened. Kim found me shacking and unresponsive in the bathroom.

I do agree that positive thought is the key to recovery… that is why I do the blog – not just to educate people but for me to get whatever is going on in my head out. Positive thought is what will let me dance at Cole’s wedding.

On a different note – I think the Chemo pills are starting to take its toll on me… I’m starting to get a little sick a little nauseous. The anti-nauseous pills seem to keep it under control.

Differences Between Levels and Stages

I was recently asked the question… “In your blog you made the distinction between level 4 and stage 4. What's the difference?”

Stages of Cancer

Ø Stage 1cancers is localized to one part of the body.

Ø Stage 2 cancers are locally advanced.

Ø Stage 3 cancers are also locally advanced. Whether a cancer is designated as Stage 2 or Stage 3 can depend on the specific type of cancer; for example, in Hodgkin's Disease, Stage 2 indicates affected lymph nodes on only one side of the diaphragm, whereas Stage 3 indicates affected lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm. The specific criteria for Stages 2 and 3 therefore differ according to diagnosis

Ø Stage 4 cancers have metastasized, or spread to other organs or throughout the body. Like breast cancer moving from the breast to the lungs or even the brain.

Levels of Brain Cancer

There are many different types of malignant or cancerous brain tumors. In most cases, a brain tumor is named for the cell type of origin. The most common type of primary brain tumors are the gliomas. Gliomas arise from the glial cells which are supportive cells that surround, nourish and protect neurons. One type of glioma is an astrocytoma. Astrocytomas are graded 1 through four, depending on the degree of aggressiveness. The most aggressive astrocytoma is grade four (this is what I have), is also called a glioblastoma (GBM). Of all brain tumors, a GBM has the greatest potential for rapid growth. The good thing about brain cancer is that it does not metastasize to other parts of the body and con not become a stage four cancer.

Just Hanging out with Friends

Had a great weekend – met some friends from Naples at Sawgrass for the day and was able to just hang out and shop with them without talking about cancer. It’s nice to know that there is more to life than just cancer. Kim’s day was made by getting a new purse. Once the day was over I was exhausted. I’m still not 100% of my old self… but I’m getting close… so I just took a nap when I got home. Other than that not much going on so today’s blog is going to be short. Keep those questions coming and thanks again for all your love and support.

Your Questions Answered

I want to take today to answer your questions… I have received a lot of good questions so here they are… (Look to the right for the video blog of me answering your qiestions I have a black shirt on)

Do friends or acquaintances treat you differently when they find out?
No… As crazy as it sounds so far I have been lucky everyone has treated me the same. They feel bad for me and tell me what ever I need they will be there for me, but for the most part I am treated the same.



Have you had surgery to remove the tumor?? And if so, did they get most of it and does the chemo and radiation is to make sure the rest of its gone?
Yes… on August 3rd I had surgery to remove the tumor… and they did get most of it. There are always microscopic pieces left behind. A joke I heard from another cancer patient … the surgeon found that missing golf ball. And yes the chemo and radiation do try to get what is left behind… after the surgery a small piece of the tumor did regrow to about 1cm and the treatments should take care of that… I’ll find out a few weeks after I finish the radiation when I have a follow up MRI.


When you do radiation, does it hurt or burn?
NO… it does not burn or hurt I feel nothing and it only takes about five minutes to do. But the area getting zapped does get sensitive after a while… but as I am getting zapped I feel nothing.

When you are hit with the radiation, is it one quick burst or is it a constant stream of radiation for a few seconds or minutes, etc?
It’s a quick five minute session and they do it 30 times over five weeks… Monday – Friday with weekends off.

Thanks for the questions and keep them coming… I enjoy answering them. This is a new experience for me and I want to share it as much as possible. I want you to learn from my experience as I learn from it too. As I have said before I got this for a reason maybe teaching is one of them? Who knows?

The Day the Earth Stood Still

For most of us there are days that stand out in our minds, days that we can tell you where we were, what we were doing, who we were with. for most of us one of those days is September 11, 2001. For me I can tell you I was working in Naples Florida for WINK news in the Naples bureau and for some reason on this day I was working out of the station in Fort Myers. The first plane hit the building as I walked in the door. We didn’t think too much about it – but were paying close attention to what was going on in New York. I hung around the newsroom watching the Today Show cover the goings on in the city… and all of a sudden the second plane came into frame and hit the second building… now we knew something was going on. The news Director sent me and a reporter (Waddy) to the Federal Building in down town Fort Myers. After we arrived Waddy set up the live truck and I started interviewing people… we got a lot of video… none of which ever made it on the air because the only thing viewers wanted to see was the national coverage of the attacks. This day the earth stood still.

I mention 9-11 because it is one of those days that stands out in everyone’s heads. Another day for me is the day I found out I had cancer… my brother went to Miami with me, as I have said before we though the report was going to be good so Kim stayed to work. and we found out just the opposite the pathology report was not good Dr. Marcos told us the news that I had a glioblastoma level four (not stage four) and we had a battle a head of us… the three of us broke into tears and Kim felt even worse not being with us. I can remember everything about that room the smells… where I was sitting… where the doctor was sitting and where Craig was. This was the worst day of my life – this is one of those days that the earth stood still… and it has been standing still ever since.

On a different note Wednesday I had an EEG (electroencephalograph) it went well... as far as I know. I meet with the doctor in a few weeks to go over it.

But again I am feeling good and other than having brain cancer, I don’t have much to complain