This blog post gives an explanation of how I got on the journey of conquering cancer.
In October of 2018, I woke up one day and did a quick google. Realized in about 1-2 minutes that I had every symptom of plantar fasciitis in my left foot. Tight plantar fascia along with the painful first steps in the morning. Confirmed by professionals as plantar fasciitis, I got determined to stretch, massage, lotion, potion, and gimmick my way out of this uncomfortable condition. I bought eight pairs of shoes, saw four physical therapists, and did a hilariously long list of attempts to fix the situation.
One such attempt was getting a custom pair of orthotics made by a great physical therapist at UNC in January of 2019. A few weeks later, I noticed that my feet were tingling and a little numb. I attributed symptoms to the new orthotics. Double down on the exercises and physical therapy. Little did I know that this was the first symptom of a much bigger problem.
Into July, I worked super hard on physical therapy, stretching regimens, regular massage therapy, and exercise. My golf game was at all-time high. I was inconvenienced, but a lot of people have some sort of neuropathy. There could be a hundred reasons for some tingling and numbness.
One day in July I woke up and realized that I had lost the strength to stand on my toes. My balance was off because of the weakness. I felt like I couldn’t get the signal from my head to my toes. I had an appointment with my primary care doctor the next day already scheduled. He tested my calf strength and said my ability to not stand on my toes could be mental. It wasn’t possible what I was describing. He referred me to a podiatrist. New primary doctor! She listened and referred me to Duke neurology.
An amazing physical therapist was a great help waiting to get to the neurology appointment. One theory was tarsal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel for the ankles. She listened, researched and worked hard to figure out this mystery. One appointment she noticed I had declined. She made an appeal to the neurology department, and I was seen the next day on Sept. 19.
The neurologist at Duke was amazing. She was on fire. On the very first appointment, she walked me down the hall to get an EMG, nerve conduction test, and lots of blood work. She gave me the results that first day. My immune system is attacking the myelin sheath around my nerves. Not only in my feet but also in my arms. I realized that I had a bigger problem than a foot problem.
All the tests came back clean. Blood work, urine, and the spinal fluid from the spinal tap. They did a bone survey (basically taking an x-ray of every major bone in my body). Something was found in my neck at the C6 vertebra. Maybe an old injury? They did MRI’s of my neck and lower back.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, I came in for a 20-minute appointment with my neurologist at Duke. I had my fourteen questions in Evernote ready to go. Get in and get out. I told Nana to skip the appointment as this wasn’t any big deal. Well… little did I know that the neurologist would inform me that there’s a malignant growth in my C6 vertebra. “You mean like cancer?” Denial is the first step.
The neurologist graciously spent an hour and 15 minutes with me walking through a new set of stunned questions. It was hard to think straight. She showed me the MRI imaging. Then reality reality started sinking in. Oh, that’s legit. A couple times I felt the breakdown coming, and I just fought it off.
It was surreal walking through the hospital knowing that I’m the only one that knows that I have cancer. Dang… I knew I had to and wanted to tell Nana first. I was trying to decide if I should drive home and tell her in person or call her. I thought, “What would I want?” I’d want to know immediately. I thought, “Just make it to your truck. You can call her there.”
I climbed up into my truck in the parking deck at Duke hospital and as I closed the door, the wave hit. The tears came pouring down, and I began to sob. The first thing that came to my mind, “God, I want to talk to you first. I want to tell you that I love you. You’re good. I’m going to worship you through this whole process.” It was a holy moment. It felt so good honestly to say that to God. My phone buzzed with a text from Nana, “What is taking so long?”
I called. We talked. We cried. The process began. I got home, and we spent a long time holed up in our bedroom. Eventually we felt the strength to tell the kids from oldest to youngest. Calling my parents was tough. No one wants to hear that their child has cancer.
Even in the first five days, the outpouring of love and support has been overwhelming. Thank you! Your love, care, prayer, and support have been so powerful and life-giving. God’s love and presence has been so near. There have been some amazing God moments already.
Next medical step: Monday, Oct. 14 at 7:00 a.m. is the pet scan. That’s a big deal. We’ll find out if the cancer is isolated or not. Is the C6 growth in vertebra primary or not? Then two biopsies. One of the actual growth in the vertebra and the other is a bone marrow biopsy from my hip.
I love you and will keep you posted. The best is yet to come. #MadeStrong
After my two MRI’s. I thought that this would be my last test. Oooops…