Greg Madsen
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Entry #21 - Health Update

5/1/2017

14 Comments

 
Since my last entry many things have happened.  I have been waiting for the right time to write a new entry and I am finally getting around to it.  I will give you the update…and please know that I am sharing my journey to help you know what is up with me and to inform you about the process and not to make you feel sorry for me in anyway.  There is a balance about what to share and not share…so hopefully what I share is informative and interesting...because it really is quite fascinating.

You will recall I started a new chemo treatment on 2.17.17 and just after that on Feb 22, 2017, I had a brain MRI. When I received the results from that test, we discovered that my cancer had spread to my head. Upon discussion with the doctors we decided to do Full Brain Radiation to go get it.  

I had to stop the chemotherapy treatment because you cannot do both radiation and chemotherapy at the same time. On March 3, 2017, I started Radiation. We opted for 14 radiation treatments over the course of four weeks.  Radiation was quite easy and simple…it literally took about 5 minutes and boom you were done. I went at the same time every day to be consistent…we started on Thursday March 1st and then went every week day for 14 total days.  We opted for 14 treatments to allow me to get less radiation in each treatment because the doctor believes that the long-term impact is less harmful if you get more treatments.  The standard number of days is 10 for this procedure.

While I was getting my radiation, I went and got an MRI of the Spine.  The results from that MRI showed that my cancer had also spread to my spine…so we now had a decision to make relative to how to handle that situation.  One option was whole spine radiation and the other was tbd.

In conversing with the various doctors, we decided that whole spine radiation would be too much to handle as all your organs are impacted if you radiate up and down the spine. So we decided to change my chemotherapy to a new drug called Irinotecan which has the ability to penetrate the central nervous system and hopefully impact the cancer along the spine. FYI-most chemotherapies cannot penetrate the brain/blood barrier…so this drug is unique in that it can penetrate the Central Nervous System.

On March 31, 2017, I received my first infusion of Irinotecan and have been receiving it 3 times a month. I will get my next CT scan and a new set of MRI’s on May 15th to see how I am doing and to assess if we are containing the growth of my cancer.  At that point, we will then determine if we stay the courses or need to pivot in a different direction.



Reflections:

I am feeling good and very positive on my new chemo treatment. I have been a little more tired than in the past and I can tell that the cumulative effect of my treatments is beginning to impact me.  I came in with a big well of reserve energy which has been a huge help to me.  The desire to go and do things has become a little more challenging but I have found that if you just set your mind that you are going to do something that you can rise to the occasion.

I have gained great strength in reflecting on my belief system and knowing that this challenge is part of my path and you just have to step into it and find the joy in the journey.

My Latter-Day Saint belief system teaches us that before we were born, we all lived together as spirits in a pre-earth life. We learned that we would face trials and tribulation along with happiness and joy on earth.  We all had the choice whether we wanted to come to earth, and all of us on earth made the choice that it was worth it.

The purpose of this life is to have joy and to build our knowledge and intelligence, and to gain as many experiences as possible to help us grow and develop as human beings.  Clearly a big part of this life is the relationships and people we meet that help to teach us and guide us to make good choices along the path.  I believe that we all committed to helping each other and that there is no mistake in who our friends and family are, and that we all looked forward to being with each other along this journey called life.

So assume with me the following…if we chose to come to earth we must have known there would be challenges and trials along the way and also amazing times given that the purpose of life is to have joy.  So in my situation, I am thinking that Cancer was a hurdle that I was willing to face.  So now that it is here, my goal is to step into it, be positive, learn and grow from the experience and do everything in my power to try and beat it.  Then we must trust God’s will after we do everything we can to try and help ourselves.

With this understanding, I hope you can see the context for which I view my cancer.  With this frame, I know that this challenge is for my personal growth and development and hopefully I will have the humility to use it to better myself and give service, empathy, and comfort to others who are in need and going through challenges of their own.  My challenges are minor compared to the ones many of you are going through, and I feel so blessed to have so many people that care about me and send energy and prayers in my direction.  It is impossible for me to not be positive with so many people cheering for Team Maddog!

Lots of love for all of you!

Greg

By the way, if you need a new bracelet or never got one…let me or one of my family members know and we will get it to you.

​
14 Comments
Naomi
5/5/2017 08:15:52 am

Your strength and wisdom you share with all that you touch is beyond anything I can comprehend. I am so thankful to be one of those people blessed by knowing you. Keep fighting the fight and know your army is behind you every second of the day.

Much love, Naomi and the Blanco Familia

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Nicole MacDonald
5/5/2017 08:52:25 am

Greg- I echo Naomi's comments- you are SUCH AN INSPIRATION - your attitude, faith, and authenticity are awe-inspiring!

Keep fighting- prayers are flooding your way- xoxoxoxo Nicole

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Stacy Ferratti
5/5/2017 09:00:42 am

Sending you love and healing energy. I agree that we have chosen our life plan from the other side. And from this side, things don't always make sense. But it is always our job to grow and create happiness. Maybe someday we will understand the "whys." xoxo

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Marina
5/5/2017 09:31:09 am

The Eyre Family continues to pray for you everyday. We love and think of you often. Thank you for sharing your journey as it inspires us to keep focused on things that matter most. We are continually blessed by your optimistic, caring, hard working, love of all attitude. It fills our hearts and gives us the outlook needed to overcome daily obstacles placed before us. Much love to you and your beautiful family.
❤Marina

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Carla
5/6/2017 08:51:25 am

Reading your thoughts renews my courage and determination and makes me not want to let any day just slip by. Thank you for sharing. We will keep sending up prayers for you and your family. Love to you.

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liz depuydt
5/7/2017 10:18:25 pm

We love you Greg! Your amazing words and wisdom have most certainly taught and helped guide our family... we continue to learn from you and greatly admire your faith and aspiration to inspire others. Our prayers for you always... may God continue to bless you and heal you. xoxo, liz and family

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Laura Pierce
5/8/2017 05:30:36 am

Greg, so connected to what you were saying about how do we view our path through adversity. A friend of mine is battling a serious progressive disease. We were chatting and I reflected on my own cancer experience. It's the relationships along the way and just diving in. Thank you for your inspiring words. Sending healing prayers. ❤️🙏

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Todd McCleve link
5/8/2017 11:36:18 am

Greg,
You are an inspiration to me. Your testimony and vision are so clear and spot on. My prayers are headed your way. I'm in LG now taking care of my parents so let me know if I can be of any assistance. Carry on! - ™

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Cheryl Nichols
5/8/2017 06:52:00 pm

Amen, Greg! These experiences indeed are for our personal growth and learning, and that of our families as well. We're all in it together. We're here, especially as family and close friends, to sustain and support one another, celebrate and mourn as the situation requires. As I go through my own health challenges, I have seen the hand of the Lord and miracles along the way. Relationships strengthen, service is given, love expands our hearts, and we can be edified thereby, even in the most difficult of times. Your journey and your attitude continue to be most inspiring. Love you, Maddog!

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Emily Martin
5/10/2017 08:50:47 am

Greg, thank you for your inspiration and your words. I love reading your reflections to the family and learning from you. You help us to put life into a greater and eternal perspective. You are always in our prayers. We love you Greg!

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Glen McMullin
5/15/2017 11:12:47 am

Yesterday on Mother's Day, my mom called Brian and I into the room and read to us your recent Health Update #21 .Needless to say . . your words were both courageous and inspiring. A wonderfully worded perspective of why we are here on this Earth, about a miraculous Plan that brings happiness and joy to all who have faith and understanding. Greg - the phone call you made to my mom yesterday - wishing her a Happy Mother's Day . . I believe was the highlight of her day. We were just finishing up with our Mother's Day dinner, when you called. The next 15 minutes turned into a "Maddog Love Fest" . . recounting all our favorite Maddog stories. The pulling off of my mom's wig at a party gathering - on a dare from my brother. The eating of large anchovy, in a nice Italian restaurant at Lake Tahoe, with the condition of chewing it 10 times before being allowed to swallow it - in order to win the bet. (My dad was almost positive you were going to lose the bet, as everyone around the table witnessed the convulsions and heaving of your stomach.) Rafting down the Tuolumne River with our dads. Your ability to spend a week on Lake Powell with nothing more than a duffle bag the size of a child's lunch box. Greg you are awesome and a family favorite. We are rooting for Team Maddog.
Love you brother,
Glen

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JJ Juice
5/15/2017 02:37:08 pm

May we all hold our challenges in such a light; you are an inspiration dear Greg. Sending so much love and prayers for strength, healing, and continued joy in your family and friends. Wearing my bracelet, with you and your family in my heart, daily. Love, JJ

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Jennifer Johnson
5/19/2017 07:06:27 am

Dearest Greg,
Your strength, faith and courageous transparency are truly inspiring. Thank you for being so willing to share your journey, allowing us to support you through prayers and love. Keep the focus, dear friend. Sending hugs and prayers,
Jenn

Reply
Lezli O'Hara
5/23/2017 09:50:19 am

Hi Greg: Love to read your posts and hear about your journey and insights of life and what it means to you! We think of you and your family every day and send healing prayers your way. Keep reminding all of us what life is all about. Thanks so much for everything you have done for our family! You are the best! Lezli

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