Step-on-me vs. Ovarian Cancer

We haven't updated this blog in a while and perhaps that is a good thing.  Things are starting to be a bit more normal for us.  However, we wanted to share an update on the latest development related to Stephanie's lifelong battle with cancer.   We have discussed Stephanie's genetic mutation that likely instigated her ovarian and kidney cancer. Her genetic mutation is strange and not much is known about it yet.  Genetic research is a burgeoning field of study that is just now in its infancy.  In 10 years, we will know much more about what her mutation could mean for her ongoing health and preventative treatments.   What we do know is that her mutation makes her more likely to develop breast cancer.  Actually, her chance of developing breast cancer is stronger than her chance of developing ovarian and kidney cancer.  Just a few moments ago, Stephanie was taken back for a preventative surgery to help reduce her risk of developing breast cancer.  Stephanie is having h

On New Years Eve, Greg and I were with friends in Lexington, KY to ring in the new year.  We had settled in to watch a football game and were making plans for dinner.  My phone ran and I recognized the number as a state worker.  Greg and I ran into another room to take the call. Being in the evening and a holiday, the worker who was making the call was not at the office.  She did not have a computer to look up any information other than what the investigative worker told her, she didn't even know their names.  They had a baby boy and an 18 month girl old that needed an emergency placement.  The baby and birth mom tested positive for drugs, the baby was still in the hospital but the 18 month old needed a home tonight. Greg and I quickly said goodbye to our friends and headed back to Louisville.  We needed to hurry because they were hoping to place the 18 month old within the next couple of hours.  Luckily, we still had supplies left over from our first 2 year old placement.  We

I quit my job on December 31 to grow a business with Stephanie.   Sixteen months ago Stephanie and 1 were moving forward in our lives trying to start a family, grow careers, and take the next step in live together.  Things did not go as planned and the last 16 months have been a roller coaster of surgeries, treatments, and recovery.  I like to believe the events over the last year would cause any rational person to question their lives and whether they are on the right path.   When I asked Stephanie to marry me I would never have imagined that so soon in our marriage I would be acting on the “…in sickness…” vow.  A serious illness like cancer in your wife forces you to think about precious time and how limited it could be.  It is precious time that has motivated me to do something drastic.  To do something that will allow me to savor every precious moment I have with Stephanie.  We have decided to grow a Real Estate business together! This was not an easy decision to make.

Just a housekeeping update.  We received the pathology results back from my partial nephrectomy (removing a piece of my kidney) and they were exactly what my doctors expected.  The spot on my kidney was a malignant tumor.  Specifically, it was Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. CCRCC is one of the most common types of kindey cancer.   This is exactly what my urologist was expecting, so no surprises for us.  He was able to get all of the tumor with clear margins so I was officially diagnosed and officially declared cured simultaneously. He will still continue to follow up with me and my CT scans that I get every six months through my gynecologist oncologist, although I statistically have little to no risk of developing kidney cancer again.  (But let be real, slim odds have kinda been my thing recently.  I told someone that I didn't win the billion dollar powerball because the odds weren't slim enough on this one) I met with my geneticist and she decided to run a full cancer panel