The Road Ahead.

This coming week I will be seeing my Oncologist at which time I am hoping to see the results of my latest C/T scan, which I had a couple weeks ago. I already know it's there and what areas are affected. The concerns I have are, a) As this node on my left jaw/chin has doubled, then what is going on in my chest and abdomen where I can't see? There are days where I feel like something is going on in either in my chest at times or even my abdomen at times. Could very well just be the mind playing games too.

The other concern I have is, what treatment option to do if it's time to start treatment. I did run into my radiation oncologist the day I was going for my scan. I showed him the node on my jaw/chin, which he looked and and felt. He stated that should nothing more concerning be going on with my C/T results, then we could hit this node with some radiation.

All things to think about and eventually have to consider and deal with. As I mentioned before, my chemotherapy options are very limited. The was some talk with my medical oncologist about having "a little room" for some more CHOP. I would really have to think very carefully about that one. I know down the road it can cause some heart related issues, amongst other things. There is GDP again as well which we talked about, issues there with making the peripheral neuropathy worse than it is now. ICE, if I recall was an option as well. All of the choice have harmful toxicities that I will be facing.

So the mind starts to spin with all of the "possibilities" of what is actually going on with the NLPH. How much has it grown in size? If it is growing quicker than expected, why? Was the diagnosis correct? This coming week should answer most of if not all of these questions.

Which ever way this goes, it has to be dealt with. Until later this week when I see my Dr. I will have to try to keep the mind from wandering too many places. Easier said than done as most of you well know. I will get through this as always, and move forward as needed. This time I will be putting more thought into the whole process, and there will be more discussion. With the limited options I will have to think all this through carefully before jumping on any one thing if needed.

This could all be for nothing, but I'm pretty certain it's not. Especially with the node developments going on. I have some thought about maybe discussing another surgical biopsy of this enlarged node, just to be certain we are not dealing with two different cancers at the same time again. If this is growing more quickly than expected then maybe it's something different than whats going on with the mediastinal nodes?

All food for thought, so you got an idea of what I've got ahead of me the next few days. Some days I wonder where the strength comes from to deal with all of it, but I always dig in and find it.With Brenda, and all of you out there that are behind me and encourage me as you do, it helps make it a bit easier. Funny how we all support and encourage each other and feel like we've know each other for ever. Most of us have never even met, or talked on the phone! It's a wonderful feeling how we've all come together, even though it's this horrible disease of cancer that has brought us together. So I leave you with love and hugs no matter where you are in your journey.
Tim, xxx

Relay for Life,

Don McFarlane, Me & Brenda

Friday June 17th,  my uncle Don, Brenda, and myself attended and took part in the 2011 Relay for Life event at the Vollmer Culture and Recreation Complex located in LaSalle ON.

We arrived at around 5:40pm, after being directed to the survivor VIP parking area, we all then checked in, my uncle and I at the survivors table, and Brenda at the caregivers table. After going through the check in process we received our t-shirts and then proceeded to the stage area where we set up our chairs for the evening.

Yum! Cake for dessert.

We then went to the survivors dinner tent, where the line was already quite long, and made our way along the serving line to get our dinner, which what a chicken kabob along with flat bread, rolls, salad and drinks. After dinner all the survivors and their caregivers/companions gathered around a large cake, provided by Koolini Restaurant, and sang happy birthday to us! Then we all had cake which was very tasty.

Our M.C. for the evening Arms Bumanlag.

We then proceeded back to the stage area where the M.C. for the evening (Arms Bumanlag) took to the mic and got the evenings festivities underway. After the singing of our National Anthem, and several speakers Dr. Caroline Hamm and Oncologist from the cancer center began to read the survivor names and we took to the track as the names were read.

Survivors Honour Guard.

The track was lined with members of all the various Relay teams and other spectators who cheer and clapped for us survivors and caregivers as we made our way around the track. I was very emotional indeed. I was also very emotional to see all the luminaries that lined the route, most
of which were "In Memory Of", although there were a good number of "In Honour Of" as well.

After looking for the luminary that I had pre-purchased about a month or so ago, I could not spot it! After I completed the survivors lap, I went around again to look for it. It was for the Lymphomaniacs (one of my Facebook groups) from Brenda and I. I looked all through the "L" and "T" areas and again could not find it. I then went to the luminary tent to inquire about it, they asked if I had looked under the "M" section, to which I replied, "why would I do that, it's for The Lymphomaniacs.

The lost luminary!

Well sure enough that is where they found it for me. It seems the printed it incorrectly and it ended up saying "In Honour Of Timothy Mayer, The Lymphomaniacs". Which was OK, although it was suppose to read, In Honour of The Lymphomaniacs, Love and Hugs, Tim and Brenda Mayer. Like I said it was all good with me, just as long as it was there, it was very important to me that it be there to honour all my Lymphomaniac friends!

Walkerville High School Glee Club.

Then it was back to join Brenda and my Uncle at the stage to take in some of the entertainment, after listening to "Let's get it started in here" as the teams took to the track, the first ones up on stage were the Walkerville High School Glee Club. They actually were really good too! About an hour later the mosquitoes made there appearance and it was time to pack up and head home!

Looking back on the evening although entertaining and enjoyable, the reason for the evening is what I was reflecting on during my survivors lap, as well as, on the ride home. Cancer! and once again I found it absolutely amazing the number of people that always turn up in support of cancer related events!

I am sure there is no one who can say they don't know someone, or of someone touched by cancer. That in itself is a statistic that needs to change! Events like this are in existence to help do just that. This is the 11th year for Relay in Canada, and even though the economy is still rebounding, there were many groups there raising big dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society, Thank you to each and every one of you who spent your Friday night doing laps around the Vollmer complex, you rock!

My interview on, Empower Radio : Empowering You for a Better Life - June 17, 2011 - Tim Mayer "Staying Positive in the Face of Cancer"

A short while ago I was asked by Facebook pal, Mel Majoros if I would be interested in doing an interview, about survivorship and relapse, on her show "The Cancer Warrior" on Empower Radio. I responded to her that I would be honored to do an interview on her show!

Well, yesterday, June 16, we finally connected to do the interview. I must say, after being nervous for sometime about doing it, I was actually very relaxed an comfortable doing it. I think Mel's ever pleasant personality had a lot to do with it. She made me feel very comfortable, we had a chat before and after the interview as well, and I felt like we've known each other for years! Well, we have known each other for a year or so. but only on Facebook.

It always seems to be easy chatting with other cancer survivors, It's like we can talk openly about almost anything. After all, we've been through the same things, tests, scans, good results, bad results.....etc. and we have all had to at one time or another face the possibility of death right in the face. That, is where I think the ease and openness comes from. It's hard to explain but if you've been there you know, is the only way to describe it.

So below is a link to click on to listen to the interview, it's about a half hour in length, so get comfortable and enjoy! And remember you can listen to any of the shows on The Cancer Warrior on demand by clicking on the link here or anytime on the permanent link on the lower right side of my blog page!

Click here to listen to the full interview on Empower Radio.


Today Brenda and I along with my uncle Don McFarlane are off to theVollmer Culture and Recreation Complex in Lasalle ON. for the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life event. Brenda will join my Uncle and I in the survivors lap to start the event. Always an emotional moment when your name is read to begin. 

My radiation doctor has been the person to read the names the past three to four events, and this year due to other obligations is unable to do it. We will miss him there, Brenda and I have made it an annual event to have our photo with him there. 

Also remember to keep my friend Liz Schroeder Anderluh's daughter Shea in your thoughts and prayers as she goes through the next step of her journey with a allogenic stem cell transplant. Shea had her re-infusion of cells yesterday and is doing well! Also Bekah Furey as she is in Texas to receive a vaccine clinical trail,
So, until then I leave you with love and hugs, no matter where you are in your journey. 


So keep an eye for my next blog post where I will fill you in on the events that unfolded at the Relay for Life along with photos!, until then, love and hugs to all no matter where you are in your journey.

Tim, xxx

For four days I forgot.

On the deck at the Cottage.

This past week has seen us visit S.W. Michigan and Northern Indiana. We spent 5 days on Birch Lake in S.W. Michigan, Liz Schroeder Anderluh and her husband John, were gracious enough to allow us to use their beautiful cottage there.

I have to say it was very relaxing and offered magnificent sunsets. We spent the first two full days shopping the flea market and shops of Shipshewana Indiana. During a break from shopping, we went across the street to book a tour for Wednesday afternoon, and while there we took an Amish horse and buggy ride around town and into the country. Our Amish driver Harley Miller, and his horse "George" ,was very informative and we learned a lot about the local Amish community and his family.

Heading out on our buggy tour.

Foot Detox!

Of course the Tuesday and Wednesday we shopped were the hottest days at 93 degrees! I'll tell you there were a lot of water breaks in the shaded rest areas around the Shipshewana Trading Place. Although hot, they were both enjoyable days of shopping and taking in the sights.

The tour on Wednesday was by air conditioned 15 passenger van, thank goodness! We took in the town of Shipshewana, the Indiana countryside and Amish community. We went to a Noodle factory, Cheese factory, visited a working Amish farm, where we all got to milk a cow, a first for me, and I must say, I got it the first time! We then went to the home of Joe and Betty Wiggend for an authentic Amish threshers dinner, very scrumptious, and filling! And the peanut butter pie with real whipped cream was heaven! Joe and Betty were very informative , Joe had some interesting stories as well.

Cheese factory, sampling.

Shopping at the Noodle Factory.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening were spent relaxing at the cottage and watching the sunsets and playing Skip-Bo. Thursday was just a plain old day of R&R. While Friday morning was spent packing and put the cottage back to the way we found it.

Mom Evans Relaxing

Brenda relaxing with some crocheting.

I have to give a huge thank you to Liz & John for allowing us to forget about cancer for four days. For four days I did what the Dr. ordered, I enjoyed life! Friday, while packing, reality kicked in again. Now it's time for a scan on Tuesday, and the waiting, the results, and what ever comes next. So bring it on!

For the fifth time in five years, I will face cancer in it's eye and kick it's ugly fucking ass!! Yes I said it.

All I can say now is enjoy every moment you can, get out there and take in what life has to offer, take in the tranquility of a lake, learn about different cultures, talk to people, and just enjoy the sights and sounds life has to offer. It's amazing what you will see and learn.

Just one tip, remember to bring your camera!, and don't forget it as I did!! Thank goodness Brenda's mom had one.

So leaving you with love and hugs no matter where you are in your journey.

P.S. To Shea, you got this! Thoughts and prayers from both Brenda and I are with you during this part of your journey. Kick butt Shea!

Tim, xxx