When Cancer Returns

My Chemo Treatment Celebrations

After battling all of 2018 with illness, stage 3C colon cancer diagnosis, major colon resection surgery, month after month and round after round of FOLFOX chemotherapy to finally have no sign of cancer within me, I’ve been looking forward to 2018 coming to a close.

The support from my family and friends was amazing.   

I led the Director Dan team at Relay For Life and raised money for continued cancer research. 

In October 2018 I was finally well enough to visit my mom in Florida ... I miss being physically closer, especially with her failing health, it was a bright spot in the recovery.

I was so looking forward to 2019, until about 2 weeks ago.  After cancer, the follow up test and observations are so critical ... just as critical as early screening and testing in the first place.  On December 13th, a blood test identified an increase in my tumor markers, up from the normal range, increasing 300% within about 5 weeks, to a point indicating much concern.  Sadly, my cancer is back and has spread.  A CT Scan was quite  revealing.  Yesterday I received official word from my oncologist, my cancer has been declared stage 4 and I now have a growth on my liver.  Not good at all.

We are fast tracking to do all that is necessary to identify my cancers protein and look at future treatments that could include radiation, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, or whatever else my team determines.  I’ll still be under the care of my local oncologist, however, I’ll now be seeing colorectal specialist and researchers in Boston who will take the lead on my future treatments.  God willing, we are going to kick butt (pun intended) yet again.

Although I'm personally devastated again with this news, the hardest part has been telling each of my kids, that was not easy for me, or them, and I hated it. Carol, my caregiver from day 1 of this ordeal, was with me and took it just as hard, Thoughts and thanks for all she has done for me this past year.  This story is not done, there will be more to come.  

Throughout this past year, my social media following and support of family, friends, my Scentsy family, former coworkers and more has been incredible.  I so much appreciate it and each one of you.  I ask for your continued support, encouragement, not only for me, but for my entire family, they are hurting too.  Lastly, I’m going to ask you now to also support my 2019 Relay For Life team’s fund raising efforts.  I need that research support now more than ever.  

You can make a tax deductible donation in support of me and my team by clicking here:  My Relay For Life Donation page

You’ll receive a receipt directly from the American Cancer Society for your tax deductible donation.  A huge thank you from me personally for helping.  Please feel free to select “Other Amount” and write in what works best for you, ANY amount helps.  Please share this post on your social media page and let’s get the word out.  If you live near an Applebee’s or other location that does fundraising, let’s chat how you could help in a much bigger way, without a lot of time on your part. 

The fight continues.

#HaveFaith  #HaveBelief

Round 2 Hasn’t Been All Roses

Round 2 seems to have gone pretty much as planned, but the last couple of days have had their challenging moments.  As much as chemo is my friend and working to rid my body of any micron-sized cancer ridden damaged cells we can’t even see, there are a few side effects I am learning to deal with.  Annoyances by some standards, Godsends by others - this is part of the recovery and elimination of that which ails me.  It’s not that I’m not positive and fighting right now, I’m just at a complete lack of energy.

I began feeling tired and exhausted before this infusion was complete this round.  That’s a few days earlier than in round 1 and I don’t feel I’ve made the turn yet and feeling better.  It’s a 2-week cycle ... infusion for 3 days, knocked on my butt mostly sleeping for a couple days and then turn the corner and begin feeling a bit better.  I’ve really been in a “fog” the last 2 days, mental slow motion, some balance issues, and really tired.  The weird thing is there are some things going through my head that don’t seem foggy at all - it’s just different.

It’s not all bad.  I also had plenty of good things happen which really raised my spirits.  In no special order except it’s always best when my kids come to visit... but here are some of the standout things that blessed me

• My daughter Rebecca and a couple of my grandkids visited with a few new treasures.  A 12 picture frame to document my infusion journey with room for a picture a week.  
• I received a bags of goodies from my daughter Tina.  The two books, WTF and Weird but True will keep me occupied and filled with knowledge if I ever appear on Jeopardy or Who Wants to be a Millionaire.  Best of all, a gift card to Outback so I can knock that steak and lobster tail dinner off my bucket list.
• FaceTime with My Guy Hudson is always fun.  David and Aimee connected with my from their Myrtle Beach vacation so I got to talk with Hudson.  He’s so cute and smart!
• I’ve launched 3 Scentsy basket parties in the past week with the third going out this weekend.  This thrills me!  It’s helping me make a difference Helping me with my business, helping me financially, and getting me closer to my Scentsy goals even while I’m in recovery.  Anyone can be successful in network marketing regardless of your situation, it just takes work.  No matter where you live I can help you with a Scentsy basket party too, just connect with me.
• My son Travis came and spent the better part of the day Saturday with us, might have been so he could do laundry, but I enjoyed just having him here.
• I received cards in the mail from people I honestly didn’t expect to hear from. People from my past that I’ve lost contact with. I also received a card from my daughter's former in-laws how touching is that? It’s often just a little thing we can do to really make a difference in someone’s lives. Thank you, Madeline and Janie.
• I also launched a fundraiser this weekend in support of my team at Relay for Life.  We’re selling the “check your colon” T-shirts for $20 with all the net proceeds going to relay for life and cancer connection. Check it out at http://bit.ly/checkURcolon. Shirts are on sale through May 10, 2018.
• Earlier this week, there was a huge post on the GoFundMe page Ryan set up from “John Doe”.  I am in awe of the generosity I have received and want to give John Doe, public thanks to whomever you are.

Hopefully this funk I’m in right now will pass and I’ll have more energy and stamina ... soon!  Continued thanks to all for all the support, encouragement, and love.  I love you all.

           

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Check out my Scentsy Web store at: http://DanGreeley.Scentsy.us

Want to join my amazing team of consultants?  http://bit.ly/JoinDan

Interesting in reading about my fight with cancer?

Read about it here: https://www.gofundme.com/dan-greeley039s-fight-against-cancer

Read about Take Them A Meal page my daughter setup

See it here https://takethemameal.com/TXAE7050

Never, ever, forget how amazing you are and can be!