Off-Topic But Cancer Update

"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach) 11/06/2018 at 13:15 • Filed to: None

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Not car related but a lot have been asking about my progress and like to check in, so I figured I’d make a post. I got the results from my newest scan and spoke with my Oncologist, and while there is some bad news, there is also a lot of good news!

Brief reminder: I have been fighting Advanced Metastatic Non-Standard Collecting Duct Renal Cell Carcinoma since 2016, and it has been classified as terminal this year. Earlier this year I was told I wouldn’t make it through summer at the soonest, but would not be seeing 2019 at the latest.

So September and October saw a last ditch effort of super intense radiation treatment to try to stop my newest metastasis. This one was in my lower chest, growing about 4/cm (golf ball size) a month and was pushing on my arteries, diaphragm, heart chamber and spine - and it was not responding to my chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
The goal of the radiation was to slow it down at best, and give me less daily pain and maybe a few more months.

Well, usually the effectiveness of radiation doesn’t show up on scans that quickly, unless you’re me and a miracle case for some reason. Not only has it stopped growing (and the hospitalizing chest pains gone), it has shown some signs of shrinkage despite having active cells.

Four of the other six metastasis have stopped growing and a few of them are lighting up with dead cells. The other two are growing quite slowly and seem to be struggling against the daily chemotherapy.

My liver is doing well, about 50-60% of the cancer cells in it are dead and liver function is slowly returning to normal.

My immune system is trying its hardest to recover, and seems to be doing alright outside of some super low platelet numbers. Nausea is still awful every single day and my energy levels are usually pretty low except for random days of energy spikes. I have finally stopped losing weight though, going from 200 lbs pre-cancer to a low of 130 lbs last month, and am back up to 140-145 lbs! Hoping that trend continues.

The best news is I am definitely going to make it to the New Year, and while I’m far from out of the forest, I personally don’t feel like I’m already in the grave anymore.

If this new trend continues, I may even be able to go back to work next year and can go back to my past time of unnecessary car shopping and having more cars than any one person needs! :D

Continuing with the daily chemotherapy and fighting as hard as I can, but my spirits have definitely been renewed - I intend on trying to be the first person to live longer than 7 years with this cancer and I’ll do my damnedest to make that happen.

Just want to say a quick thanks to so many awesome Oppo members who have checked in on me, and the numerous number of you pulling for me - every bit helps and I appreciate it more than I can say!

CaptDale - is secretly British > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 13:53

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I am so happy to hear you have a good update. I really hope the trend continues for you as well. I don’t know what else to say. I am just happy you have a good update. I hope to hear many more good updates from you.  

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 13:54

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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

CalzoneGolem > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 13:54

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Yeah buddy!  D on’t stop kicking that cancer’s ass!

vondon302 > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 13:58

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Hell yeah!

Chariotoflove > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 13:59

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This is good news! You keep updating, and we’ll keep praying.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:00

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This is the best news that I could have heard today, I don’t even personally know you but I’m glad we can all expect more posts from you in the future.

Keep kicking ass dude

For Sweden > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:04

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I personally I’m happy you shared this decidedly non-spooky news after Halloween .

Cash Rewards > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:12

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Awesome news!

functionoverfashion > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:20

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YAY

Svend > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:23

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That’s great news mate. I hope you keep making these gains, keep in there and keep fighting. 

feather-throttle-not-hair > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:27

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Holy shit. You are a genuine badass!

someassemblyrequired > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:35

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Good news like t his calls for a Dacia Sandero!

facw > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 14:42

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Keep fighting!

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 15:07

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This is great news, and I’m very happy to hear it! Keep fighting dude!

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 15:12

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Great news! A win is a win, and it’s good to hear.

Shamoononon drives like a farmer > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 15:18

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Thanks for sharing this great news!  :) 

phenotyp > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 15:22

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Stand strong. Keep standing.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 15:28

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GREAT NEWS!

Awesome here’s hoping that everything turns out wayyyy better than expected!

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 15:32

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Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 15:42

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Well that sounds like fantastic news!  I hope the positive news keeps coming!

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 16:22

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Hell yeah!!!!! 

Brickman > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 16:38

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Nothing like great news, even more so when you have cancer, usually it’s never good news.

Rico > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 18:02

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I don’t even know you but this news has made my day! I am super  glad to hear that things are improving, glad you’re an Oppo like us!

MM54 > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 18:07

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This is great news! Keep on fighting, we all have your back for sure

DutchieDC2R > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/06/2018 at 20:16

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Very glad to hear this, been wondering how you were doing....

pip bip - choose Corrour > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/07/2018 at 05:03

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AWESOME news!

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/07/2018 at 14:29

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I am really happy you decided to share this info with us, and I’m glad to hear of an improvement in your health. I hope you continue to heal. Take care.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 11/08/2018 at 18:10

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Late reply friend, sorry, but glad to hear you’re doing relatively OK! Keep on fighting mate! :D

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 12/10/2018 at 16:39

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I didn’t see this! So happy to hear from you!!  Keep fighting and looking forward to more improvements.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/10/2018 at 16:43

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That was me when I searched “Z has an ND...” a few minutes ago.

and 100 more > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 12/13/2018 at 01:11

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I’ve neglected checking in on your progress (shame on me), but decided to tonight. That is some fucking fantastic news!! You keep kicking ass, man!

I write this to you tonight from the hospital, where we’ve swung between desperation and hope in the span of a day in our story. Your good news definitely keeps the pendulum swinging toward hope on our side. :)

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) 12/14/2018 at 16:30

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Shit...I haven't been on Oppo much and missed these posts.... Keep on going man. I wish I had some other form of communication with you to talk to you more for as long as we can. You're a cool guy and i really hope you can make it. Please tell me you're still here right now. I wish you can make it past 2019 and beat this cancer.