Greg Madsen
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First Post

10/4/2015

24 Comments

 
Hi friends and family! The purpose of this site is to give you updates on my health situation and for us to learn and motivate each other.

I am looking forward to writing and sharing my journey and the insights along the way.  I believe this will be helpful for me and hopefully it will be helpful to you as I am sure I will sprinkle some Greg Madsenisms along the way  and your thoughts and reflections will be most wonderful for me and others to read and listen and reflect on.  

AT the end of the day….we are all on this journey called life, and like any good road trip there are unknowns that make the trip memorable and hilarious and frightening.  In the end, those are the things that bond us together with the people we were with, we tell stories about, and those moments teach us a lot about ourselves and how we react in an unexpected situation.

I guess this experience I am having is like a flat tire in the middle of Baja or a car flying off a cliff and landing next to you in your parked Vanagon while in New Zealand or a missed train in Yugoslavia or your bags getting stolen and you have an important meeting, or your travel mate getting altitude sickness in Nepal or any number of other things that have happened to me or you on a little trip. 

Today those experiences shape who I am, and have shaped and formed who we all are. One of the defining things and what makes the stories amazing is how we respond in the peak of those moments, the clarity or lack thereof in our thinking, and the experience that follows.  These are life's learning moments that just happen and added up they become a part of who we are.

So I guess, I am having one of those great moments in my new discovery of being diagnosed with Lung Cancer at the age of 52.  I would humbly say that I am in great shape, am a bit of a health food nut, have an amazing family and professional career, a support system of friends and family that is dreamy….and well I got this disease that impacts so many people.

Why I got it….that is a question I don’t have an answer to and probably will never have an answer to….I think it is genetic.  My grandmother had lung cancer and was a non smoker and wonderful person so I am guessing maybe it just got passed on somehow.  More on this later after I learn more.

9.21.15 is the day they told me and Jan that my tests showed that I had Lung Cancer Stage 3b-4. I first started having difficulty breathing in the late June 2015 timeframe and I developed a cough.  I did not cough up any mucous and my desire to go for a run was not the same as it had been my entire life.  I continued to work hard professionally, do Crossfit on a daily basis, surf when it was good, and ride my mtn bike. I knew that something was not right…and assumed it would get better.

Sometime in July I decided that I should go visit a doctor.  I knew I had a doctor because to get my insurance several years back I had to have a primary care physician….so I got a referral and had to actually go meet him (I remember thinking that seemed a little crazy).  Fast forward to July…I could not remember my doctors name so I did not know how to get a hold of him to get an appointment….but I did remember where his office was….so I drove over to his office and walked in to see if I could get an appointment.  The receptionist said, it takes 3 months…I politely said, “I would like to see him today.” I told them I would wait or I could come in anytime and would be happy to see the assistant.  I think I had to call several times in the next few days…but I eventually got an appointment with the physician’s assistant 2-3 days later.  When I showed up for the appointment, the doctor came to see me.

His diagnosis was that I had some type of allergic reaction to something and that it would most likely go away and he told me to get a chest xray.  The xray came back and showed there was fluid in my lungs and some cloudy “stuff”. He put me on some prednisone and an antibiotic and said this should clear it up.  Several weeks later, there was not change.  I went back to visit and he put me on an inhaler and said let’s give this a try and in a few weeks if not better, we will take another chest xray.

I went to Mexico with my family in August (check out the video my son Emmett made…  https://vimeo.com/140454725)  and upon my return went back to see the doctor.  My belief was that I would have been all better after surfing every day and enjoying amazing clean air. Nothing had changed, in fact I had lost my voice in my last 5 days in Mexico and could not talk…a case of laryngitis…I think mainly from all the coughing I had been doing. 

When I went back to the doctor he did another chest xray and noticed that nothing had changed….so he referred me to a Pulmonologist. They performed blood tests, had a respitory therapist assess me, and then I had a bronchoscopy.  A bronchoscopy is a test where they put a scope down you throat and into your lungs to look at them and with calipers grab a few samples to go test.

Those samples came back on the 21st of September 2015 and my doctor told us that we were diagnosed with cancer.  (More on this moment at a later time)

Fast forward….I have been doing tests (CT Scan, PET Scan, Brain MRI, blood tests) over the last few weeks and I am still waiting to get the results from my tests to see the exact stage of my cancer and to further diagnose the exact problem…prior to figuring out a treatment plan.

This week (10.4.15) I hope to get my results back, visit with a doctor at Stanford, visit with a doctor at The Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt lake City and hopefully make a decision about what treatment plan is going to be the best for me.

If you are reading this, you are clearly one of my dearest friends and I would ask for your prayers and faith on my behalf and your positive energy!  I am very positive about my ability to beat this disease and to learn along the way. I hope that my insights can be your insights and that just like a road trip…we can create an experience that will teach me/us many wonderful things to make my/our lives even more rich and full.  
​
Lots of love,

Greg…aka Maddog
24 Comments
Matt Balkman
10/5/2015 02:05:20 pm

I love you brother! Looking forward to helping you CRUSH this.

Reply
Floyd Killen
10/5/2015 02:44:07 pm

Maddog,I know it's not easy dealing with this kind of news but know that we are with you Brother and you will beat this! Lots of sincere prayers and positive thoughts are coming your way.

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Anna
10/5/2015 07:59:51 pm

We're behind you! prayers and all. Doing a healing meditation for you every morning. And during yoga (with all the cousins in P-town), when we chant about sending light to everything, we do it for you!

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Julie Trammell
10/5/2015 09:08:41 pm

Greg and Jan - Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys during this time. Positive energy and love is being set your way!

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Karen Marriott
10/6/2015 02:45:43 pm

Greg, taking this like you do everything else- with faith, friends, family and the world's best attitude. Here's to kicking this, but in the process learning from it. Thanks for letting us dig deeper in our reservoirs of faith as we extend our faith and prayers in your behalf. What I see as the immediate upside of all this is that you can understand the impact you have on so many and how deeply loved you are. xxoo

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Charles Pope
10/6/2015 04:58:33 pm

Greg,

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis of lung cancer. Gloria and I have always admired both you and Jan and still do. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers. We work at the Monticello Utah temple and will also ensure your name is included there regularly. I know you and your faith and your families' faith. We are rooting for you. God bless you. Give my best to Jan and the rest of your family.

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Mary Turoff
10/6/2015 09:13:17 pm

Dear Greg, I pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary everyday for you. Everything I've read says you have to be healthy for the treatments and you're one of the healthiest, most fit people I know! I know you will wage battle and prevail!
Team Greg-Fight On!
God Bless You!
Xoxo😘Mary and the fam.

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Tricia Morse
10/7/2015 07:30:54 am

It does not surprise me, Greg, that you choose to respond to this fork in the road with grace, humor, and a positive attitude. We'll be beside you on your journey every step of the way!! Prayers and love to you and the family!! Trish and gang xoxo

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Denise White
10/7/2015 07:47:13 am

Greg,
Your words amaze me as you and your family battle this most difficult challenge. Our family's prayers are with you knowing that you will persevere. The Tola spirit of fight will be with you I am sure!
Love to you and the family - The White Family!

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Claire
10/7/2015 07:48:01 am

We love you Greg! Your words are always well said! We have your hand through this journey! Much love to you and the Fam!! Prayers your way. <3

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Nance Cronin
10/7/2015 08:01:14 am

I heard the sad news. I believe in my heart you'll beat this because you have a halo over you, always positive, healthier than most people, and you have the support of your family and the community behind you. I don't know what they have in store for you, but I'm sure with all the medicine cocktails you'll be taking you might lose that beautiful hair of yous. I wonder what color hair you'll grow back? I've heard many people have orange hair and curly. Won't you look more handsome than ever with those beautiful blue eyes? LOL! You'll fit right in with the Point locals! Greg, keep the sense of humor, your passion for life, because some days will be rough, but just know we are all praying for you. We love you!

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Randy Joss
10/7/2015 10:25:15 am

Greg, As always, your words and your actions inspire me both to be a better person and live a more worthy life. I'll be thinking of you daily -- warm, caring prayers for you life and shriveled & desicated nothingness for your cancer. May it live a lonely and crushingly unfulfilling existence. We love you tons!
--Randy & Joan

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Ann Ferrante link
10/7/2015 10:48:55 am

Dearest Greg, we were so devastated to hear of your cancer diagnosis. Marissa has always considered your family, and the Morses, to be her "other families", and we love you all. You have been in our hearts and prayers ever since we heard the sad news. You are an amazing, inspirational, and upbeat person, and you have been a blessing to so many people throughout the years. You are courageous, and strong in so many ways - you are a true "overcomer". We will be on our knees daily praying for strength for you and your family, wisdom for your doctors, and that you will feel God's infinite love each and every day as you travel this journey. Much love from all of the Ferrantes!!

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Pam Takai
10/7/2015 12:36:58 pm

Greg - I'm devastated by this news, yet thankful that you are willing to be so open and share your journey with all of us. I hope we all can assist in supporting you, because it's guaranteed that you will be supporting and inspiring all of us. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Pam

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Jim Bates
10/8/2015 10:04:32 am

Greg, can't wait to see you at the CDU / clubs bash!

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Jen Ogden
10/8/2015 02:00:06 pm

Brandon and I are praying for you and your family! We love and miss you all!

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Brad and Stephanie Weekes
10/8/2015 07:11:53 pm

Dear Greg! This news has come to us as such a shock. There is no one as healthy and active as you! We all want to live life like you do! May the Lord bless you and your awesome family during this fragile time in your life. Brad and I went to the Provo Temple yesterday with my sweet parents, the Hammond's. We put your name on the prayer roll. We are with you all the way! We just love you so much. We have great FAITH that the Lord will heal you. What a role model for us all to emulate! Carry on! Love, Brad and Stephanie Weekes and family! Tanner thinks you are one cool dude!

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Jay Mellies
10/10/2015 10:44:55 am

So sorry to hear of this devastating news, Greg. Our thoughts are with you and your family. I know your enduring spirit will bring you through this challenge. Be strong. Be well.

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Mark Bellini
10/12/2015 10:32:19 pm

Dog, I have been on many a road trip with you my brotha and they've all had happy endings, as will this one. You have always been, and always will be, a giant among men. Much positive vibrations and prayers coming your way my friend from us. Bonkus

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Emily (Ellison) Ayre
10/16/2015 09:27:55 pm

Greg,
Just wanted to say cancer sucks! If anyone can stay positive and fight this thing, you can! I know I haven't been great about staying in touch but I always enjoy the stories of your adventures, the sense of humor and thoughtful insights you bring to life! I look forward to hearing many more because you are going to kick this thing in the butt! We are here for you if you end up at Huntsman so count on the Ayre girls to support you through it! Let us know what you need! You are in our thoughts and prayers!! Hugs

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Lini
10/17/2015 09:59:09 am

The Sahara Desert…that's in Africa right? You're awesome bro!!! I love you. Markus

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Renee Allen
10/22/2015 09:44:25 am

I'm just re-reading this because I wanted to post before (but read it from my phone and it's trickier navigating comments on there) and just wanted to tell you that I absolutely loved that you walked into the doctor's office that very first day and were persistent in beating the system of waiting 3 months (3 months?!!) for an appt. You knew what you had to do and did it to get what you needed. I have faith that you will continue to do that as you explore the best path for you in helping your body heal. We continue to pray for you in our home!

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Cammy Fuller
10/23/2015 03:52:59 pm

This was great to read Greg. Loved learning of your whole thought process and you are so good at breaking it all down and weighing all the options! I pray for you so many times a day and flat out ask for a miracle. In the car, on my bike, over every meal, walking the dog. You are constantly in my heart and thoughts. A miracle is not too much to ask for in my opinion. So lets get this miracle thing going!
Love you so much.

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Silvia McLeod
10/29/2015 11:38:55 pm

Greg and Family,
Words can not described how much I love and admire you and your family. When I first met you I know you were rad people. Our family is praying for you everyday! I love your positive way in dealing with such a crazy time. Our family is here for you, and please don't resitate to reach out to us if you need anything. Love lots! Sil🙏🏼💪🏼❤️

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