Garry Stewart

Today was a follow-up phone visit with the folks at CancerCare to get an update on how I’m doing and to review the latest blood work.

And the number are in and they are good! Up in all critical areas, except for those stubborn platelets. A picture, or perhaps a graph or two, is worth a thousand words.

I’m doing really well. I feel great and my strength and stamina has improved measurably over the last 4-6 weeks. As is typical for me, I measure things by how well I’m riding the bike. On the bike I’m able to do self-testing to determine a thing called FTP, functional threshold power. On the last two tests my FTP has increased substantially and is now almost at my 2018 pre-cancer levels. I’m looking forward to a good outdoor road riding season this spring, summer and fall both around Winnipeg with FROG (Fast Retired Old Guys) & FOG (Fast Old Guys) groups and out at the lake with the Kenora RPCC (Rat Portage Cycling Club) crew.

Well, looking back it is this time one year ago that our Toronto CAR-T journey began. First starting with the assessment and T-cell collection trip and then the subsequent CAR-T treatment and recovery trip. In some ways, it seems like yesterday, and in others a distant memory. We’re forever grateful to our Toronto family for the loving support we received, to the great medical team at Princess Margaret Hospital and the supporting University Hospital Network and to all our family and friends who supported us on the journey.

Or catch up, a post to catch up on some events over the past little while.

So, a while back, somewhere around mid November 2021 I started to notice that I was getting much more tired than usual when riding the bike on the trainer. In fact, on one ride I had to stop 4 times to catch my breath and wait until my heart rate dropped in order to finish the ride. Not normal.

Then on Wednesday November 24th I was out on my regular outdoor FROG (fast old retired guys) bike ride with a friend. It was cold at -13ºC with a wicked north wind that made it feel more like -20ºC. I’ve ridden in these conditions before without any problem and I was dressed warmly for this kind of ride. About 15km into the ride I’m feeling unusually tired and cold. A little further along and I say to my friend that we need to take the shortest route home ASAP. I’m getting more and more exhausted, and more and more cold and I’m starting to shiver. I thought briefly about laying down in an open field to rest, but we push on. Now I’m shivering uncontrollably and we make it to the YMCA on Fermor and stop to warm up. I call Shirley to get picked up. Calling for a ride for only the third time ever. Not normal.

I call CancerCare about a previously scheduled appointment and end up telling them about my symptoms, of which there are now a significant number of concerning symptoms. They send me for some blood work and schedule a visit with the doctor on November 29th.

On the 29th, after recounting my situation, it’s decided some additional testing is warranted so there is more blood work and a CT scan on December 17th with the results on the 20th. The CT results are basically good and there is no evidence of any tumour growth or any new tumours. The cell counts and hemoglobin continue to be low which is frustrating, however, by this time I’m feeling much better. Most of the symptoms have resolved, I’m feeling stronger exercising on the bike and my energy has returned. All in all 10-12 days of feeling pretty rough with symptoms that in the past have not been good. The oncologist is not sure what the issue was but the symptoms did not indicate the need to test for CoVid in case you were wondering.

There will be a PET scan on January 5, 2022 to follow-up. This was planned but moved up as a result of my symptoms and to confirm the CT scan results. Never a dull moment. Thankful for the recovery and that it’s in the past.

Today’s adventure is having the port removed.

Once again it’s not my first rodeo, this is removal #2 so there shouldn’t be any surprises. I arrive at HSC CancerCare and check-in for my 10:45am appointment. After a few minutes I’m called in and it’s shirt off, gown on and up on the table after signing some stuff I really didn’t read. 🙂

The doctor explains the procedure which is basically, local anaesthetic, cut it out, stitch it up, bandage on and your good to go. It’s a 10 minute process that goes as planned without incident. The anaesthetic is the most interesting part. It’s done quickly but seems long all at the same time. The bulk of it is not too painful but there were a few seconds where it was a little intense. This stuff is always amazing. In about 60 seconds he’s cutting it out and I feel nothing.

Here is what the port looks like. I was shown mine after extraction and it was a little bloodier that this pristine example. For some reason, I didn’t take a photo. The anaesthetic has worn off after a couple of hours and it’s a little sore but nothing serious. In two days I can remove the bandage and see how it looks.

Numbers

For those following the numbers, things are looking up in this area as well.

Still here at the hospital from time to time to do some preventative/recovery treatments and blood work monitoring.

Today it’s IVIG treatment #4, just two more to go if the schedule holds. Blood work has something a little extra today, 3 tubes instead of the typical 1.

For sure one of the tests is the CBC (Complete Blood Count) of which my neutrophil count is important to determine if I need Grastofil to help things along or if I’m doing “OK” on my own. I’ll know later this morning.

Some of the other testing may determine if I need to continue with the IVIG or my system has recovered enough that it can be stopped. This would be nice to stop as it takes approximately two hours to complete.

I’m feeling well and more normal now that I’m just over 4 months post-CAR-T. Looking forward to less trips to the hospital, more trips to the lake and resuming a more normal life from a health perspective.

http://www.oarboard.ca/ambassador-garry-stewart/

This is the day the Lord has made;
We (I) will rejoice and be glad in it. Ps 118:24 NKJV

For some time now, this is what I say to myself first thing in the morning, and then I smile. Even if I don’t want to smile, or I don’t think my day is shaping up too good, this is what I do, and perhaps, not too surprisingly I get an attitude adjustment and I feel better about myself, my day and others. It’s a choice… “I will“.

Well, today is “The Day” in some respects and I’m writing this first part before our meeting with the oncologist to get the results of the PET scan that determines how effective the CAR-T therapy has been. I just wanted to capture some of my thoughts in advance of the meeting. I wrote this in my journal this morning.

I thought as today approached I’d be getting more anxious about whatever the results of the PET scan might be. Instead, I’ve been feeling more and more confident that things will be “OK”. Not necessarily that “OK” means the cancer will be gone ( which would be awesome!) but “OK” that God is good, He is with me/us and I can trust in Him for whatever comes next in life.

Fear and anxiety are trying to push in, but the love of God, His peace, and His goodness are pushing back harder! I thought I’d have trouble sleeping last night and that I’d be awake thinking about today. However, I slept fine! Except for that weird dream where something was attacking me and I pried it off, pushed it down the basement steps and woke up screaming. 🤣 !?!

Given the seriousness of what’s happened over the last three years I feel pretty calm and peaceful. Thank-you Jesus.

The Good Report

We wait briefly in the exam room and then our oncologist pops in. After a very short review of my current status she cuts to the chase. “Your are in remission, no more treatment is required“. Previously “active” areas on prior PET scans are gone!

One caveat was that there is a small new area of “activity”, however the radiologist was confident that this is not cancer. In the report it was termed “an infectious or inflammatory process”. I think this is doctor speak for the body dealing with normal minor infection that goes on in the body all the time. In three months there will be a follow-up scan to monitor the situation.

We are beyond thrilled with this news! It’s hard to put into words the gratitude and thankfulness we are feeling, and I think it will take a bit of time to fully appreciate all that has happened.

Thanks to all of you who have supported us through our journey with prayer, phone calls, email, texts and love. You are all very much appreciated. Your care, concern and support has encouraged us many times and for that we are truly grateful.