Before I begin. My musings are I suppose first and foremost very affordable therapy but I hope you find something in them. I attempt to make them about family, friends, faith, fight, food, friends, fun and in being consistent f@#kcancer.

First I confess. I lied. Thursday November 7, the day of my first cancer treatment I went back to Johnny’s Doughnuts. Vanilla glazed old fashioned and a capuccino. No regrets. No apologies. But let me explain. Mela and I got back from vacation at around 9pm Wednesday evening but midnight body clock time (with time difference) and were up at 3:15am to head to SF for bloodwork, EKG, oncology appointment, two infusions and another EKG.

How did we get there? Almost two months ago we booked a vacation at an all inclusive resort in Playa Del Carmen. Spent too much time on whether or not we should get travel insurance. I said forget it- what could possibly come up? Duh! Cancer! Two weeks before the trip was a whirlwind of biopsies, MRIs CT Scans, countless bloodwork (you would have thought I was a heroin addict looking at my arm). We were able to go on vacation and my treatment would start November 7 or 8. (Turns out it had to be the 7 since that was day 28 from my day of consent. I am in a clinical trial. Essentially a lab rat. I hear you - we have known that for years Nick.) It was a relaxing and much needed vacation before beginning the remainder of my journey.

During our time away we received a text that my appointment would be at 8:30am on November 7. We thougth that is early but OK. To speed this up a bit - we received another text that I needed blood work first and had to be there at 7:00 am. Wednesday November 6 we were able to have one last wonderful breakfast on the rooftop garden - but lunch consisted of a bag of Wheatchex from the airport and 3 pieces of raisin toast when we got home. Then to SF before dawn. If you are still reading - that is why I had my doughnut.

My airline reading book is an easy read by James Patterson - Circle of Death. Maybe not the best choice to read during my infusion. I take that back. It is a superhero thriller of good vs evil.

My superheroes are the janitors, receptionists, security guards, nurses, doctors, lab technicians and others that have been so kind every single time I have walked through those hospital and medical office doors. And of course the millions like me - that wake up every day and do their damnedest to hold their head hight fight the evil within and be a living testament to the joy life holds to those around them.

Then of couse there has to be a villain. He simply goes by M. AKA metastatic melanoma. My heroes have developed a concoction in their lab that will seek to stabilize and destory M. But it appears it may be a life long journey. I will receive an infusion every three weeks for the rest of my life along with countless bloodwork and MRI to be certain it has not spread.

In addition to the aforementioned doughnut we had time for lunch. I am a creature of habit and it had been a long couple of days so did not want any surprises. A lobster roll and clam chowder it was. Did not disappoint.

Clam Chowder, Lobster Rolls and Artichoke Bread and Support of my bride, Mela

In closing I am glad to say the drugs have not had any of their potential side affects as of Friday morning such as vomiting, headaches. joint aches, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision (hopefully only impacting my left eye) etc etc.

While the last month has been a little crazy I am so grateful for the care and will be on a slightly more structured schedule moving forward. Stay tuned….

God Bless, Stay Strong, Be Humble, Be Kind!