Changes For Life ... For A Better Life

How are you?

It's a fairly simple question … if you don't overthink it. Most people respond, "Fine, how's it going with you?" and carry on before they hear the response.

Lately, I've had a lot to think about before I answer that question. I'm often surprised when the answer is "Really, really good."

Sure, I still have some pain as the incision from my last surgery on June 8 heals. With part of the scar right at the beltline, it's taking a long time to heal, but it is getting better.

My wife Tracy and I were even able to take a good four-mile hike up Mount Tamalpais on Sunday. Just a few weeks ago, I would have had a hard time just driving up the twisting roads to the ranger station.

So, when I think about my health, about that one simple question, I have to believe things are going pretty well. I have energy. My digestion seems to be fine. And the pain is manageable, sometimes even nonexistent. 

Two surgeries and a course of injections of long-acting octreotide seem to be working. There are still a number of clinical trials going on to establish the effectiveness of long-acting octreotide and how it compares to other drugs. I'm happy to report: So far, so good.

I'm looking forward to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Patient Education Conference at Stanford on Sept. 10. I'm sure there will be some discussion of various drugs, even at a conference that will likely focus on surgery and post-op care.

Who knows? Stanford's Dr. Jeffrey Norton might ask for some audience participation. Norton did a good job cutting out most of the remaining signs of cancer in my body. As one of the speakers, he might want to show off his handiwork.

Just as important as the surgery and the drugs in my recovery has been the desire to get healthy. I want to eat healthier foods and to lose weight. That's working so far. I want to exercise more, which I am doing. I want to live to grow old with my family, which I plan to do.

I never understood why I had cancer. I never smoked, never drank much, never did drugs. But I also never really took care of myself. I used to be very overweight. I ate too many fried foods and too many sugars. But that's changing … because I have to change.

Some of you might have noticed on Twitter and Facebook a posting about the Sept. 9 Caring For Carcinoid Foundation fundraiser. I'll be in Palo Alto for a 5k walk to raise funds and I invite everyone to get involved. Together, we can support others with cancer the way would want to be supported.