Stable!

As most know, I had a CT scan last week. Originally scheduled for the 25th but moved up until the 23rd. The results you may ask....one word......STABLE!!!!! Thanks be to God.

Now you ask, what does stable mean. Well my liver has 5 spots(more on this later), 3 stayed the same and 2 shrank just a bit. The nodules in my lungs also shrank just a tiny bit. The tech that read my scan said this cancer is stable.

Back to the 5 spots.....in September 2007, I had my 1st PET scan. Just a refresher...a PET uses radioactive sugar to note activity in cancer tumors. On this 1st PET test all 5 spots showed activity. At the Cancer center, we compared the PET from September to my last PET in May. Only 2 spots are showing activity now. The other three are still there but not active. Yet more good news.

I know we are still in for the long haul. I am still standing strong battling this cancer with strength from Jesus. Please continue to remember many of my friends that are effected with cancer.

Thanks for dropping by,

Believe,

Kevin

Just more info...

I hope all my family and friends are doing well, thanks for stopping by. Everything is well in Casa de Vman. Chemo is still taking its toll on my energy, mind and body every 2 weeks, but God is still allowing me to do many things most cancer SURVIVORS do not do.

You may have noticed I used the word "survivor". I am already a survivor. I BELIVE in my heart God has more work for me to do on this Earth. I am just, no wait....WE are just going through a little trial....please continue to remember Brenda and I as we are battling this disease on a day to day basis.

There are some awesome new chemo drugs coming down the pike in the next few years. please pray for their continued success in trials and a speedy FDA approval. One that is showing a 95% stabilization rate.....Some great news for CC!!!!!!

Lots of prayer requests:

I just found out tonight my friend Michele has 2 spots that showed up on her brain. I know this is a shock after being NED for nearly 6 months.... The doc DOES NOT believe it is cancer....but still a serious condition....

Patti at our church is facing the start of her colon cancer journey, she was just DX last week.

Continue to remember The Clifton Family with the loss of Chad. I still miss you more than words can say. I know you would not trade what you are experiencing now for nothing...... I just know you are watching over me and I hear your voice somedays as clearly as your are right beside me.

There are many people at the Colon Club needing prayer. Some dealing with bad news, deaths of loved ones, bad scans, chemo not working, etc.

Remember me next Friday, I will be having a CT scan to see the progress of the new chemo. Please pray for total destruction of the nodules in my lungs so I can be cleared for a liver resection.

Before I end this post....can I ask you all a question....

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior? If not...dont wait...none of us are guaranteed anudder day on this Earth.

Believe,

Kevin

Just a little update.....

1st I wanted to thank God for allowing Brenda and I to make the trip to Atlanta for Chad's funeral. Over 75 of my extended family at the R1-Forum and a couple of other boards made the journey as well. We spent Saturday night at Rob and Leigh's house with most of them. Everyone seemed to share many stories. What a moving night talking about "Chad Fun". I still miss you Chad....deeply. I know you are at Jesus' side. My brother in law, Mike was taken from us in nearly the same way. Mike taught me so much about riding and Chad picked up where Mike left off.....I wonder what those 2 are chatting about? So Fast, So Clean for life!!!!!!!

I am dealing with the death of my closest friend by thinking about ALL the good times we have shared over the years. The hardest thing, we talked several times each day and there are times I pick up my cell to give him a call.....

If you have time, go to www.youtube.com. Punch in Chad Clifton and there are a few tribute videos that have been made. I shed many tears everytime I watch them.....

The new chemo is going well and I seem to be tolerating it better that FOLFOX. I have my next scheduled scan on the 25th. Please remember us both in prayer. I am ready for massive improvements in my DX.

Thanks for stopping by.....

Believe,

Kevin

Godspeed my friend....

With a heavy heart, I cant believe what I have to type.....

Today Chad Clifton went home to be with the Lord. He never recovered from a heart attack and stroke he suffered last night.

People have asked me how I learned to ride the curves so well. The answer is Chad. I have been working with him for several years at various tracks on the East Coast. He taught me so much in such a short time span.......

The skills you have taught me I promise will be shared with as many folks as I can. You will be missed deeply, but what you have blessed me with will live on......

I have my memories of many phone calls, visits, track sessions, plus the skills he taught me are priceless.

A tribute to you Chad. You may have beat me home, but I will see you again someday.

I have a chemo treatment this Friday and I have been asked to be a pallbearer. Brenda and I will be making the trip to the Atlanta area while on chemo.

This one is not about me.....

I some to you my internet friends and family with a special request. My best friend broke his back last Wednesday in a motorcycle accident. Chad Clifton has mentored me in my motorcycle track days and really has proved himself as a TRUE friend.

Chad had surgery to repair 6 vertebra on Saturday. He has complete use of his legs which is a miracle and answered prayer.

Yesterday when the Doc's got him up to walk, he said he was not feeling well. By the time he layed back down, he was turning blue. He coded and was rushed into surgery. Several blood clots were found in his lungs and legs.

Chad was stable but still in critical condition most of the day. I just received a call that he has taken a turn for the worse. Please, I beg...pray for my friend.....

I am a complete basket case right now.......

Believe,

Kevin

Whirlwind......

1st off, let me say...so sorry between updates. It has been a rather interesting few weeks in Casa de Vman.........

I completed 12 cycles of Folfox with Avastin mixed in for 8 cycles. My fingers and feet have finally succumbed to one of the bad side effects of one of the drugs...they are numb just about all day. It can be difficult to stand, walk, pick up items, even type... This can be permanent...I hope and pray that it will pass...

Most of you hooligans know I have played softball most of my life. I started sometime ,around 12 or 13, something like that. I have had my heyday, being part of a team that finished 6th in the world in Orlando in 1998, many HR's, game winning plays, etc.

My doctors after surgery told me I would not be able to play for 18-24 months and I was mortified. Something such a large part of my life taken away.

On May 6th I actually played in my 1st game in nearly a year. Considering my current treatment last Friday....and my condition, this was nothing short of a miracle. My 1st at bat, 1st live pitch I saw in over a year I ripped a hard single back up the middle. I know it is hard to say, I nearly shed a tear on the way to 1st, it was that moving.

On May 20th, I had my 1st post chemo PET scan. For those that dont know what a PET is...well it is a CT using radio active sugar that is absorbed by cancerous cells/tumors.

Vman takes a deep breath....

My liver is showing a new spot and no growth or shrinkage in the current ones. In both lungs....a have numerous sports that "lit" up on the PET. So it is confirmed...I have cancer in not only my liver but also both lungs.

This is not the news Brenda and I were looking for after 8 months of chemo. I started a new set of drugs Friday May 30th for another 6 months. The bright side...this is not the WORST news either......

The new chemo is BRUTAL. I threw up over 20 times in 2 days. My throat tissue was burnt from the acid I kept spitting up. I could hardly eat and lost 12 pounds in 48 hours. Plus the treatment in LONG. I was in the Cancer Center from 9:45am to 5:00pm.

But, there are MANY positives from this scan. The cancer has not spread past my lungs. Yes I know we are facing many more months of chemo plus a few more surgeries.

Right now I am doing more than surviving...I am thriving. Cancer SURVIVORS in the treatment plan I am on do not play softball, they do not ride at a brisk pace up in the mountains and none that I know of ride at a race pace at a track day.

God is so REAL to me. People say that I am amazing, strong, an inspiration...yes maybe I am all those but my strength comes from ABOVE. I know without God, I would already be dead. HE has blessed me with another 8 months on this Earth.

There are times I feel like "is this chemo really worth the pain?" or "do I really need to continue?" I have so much to be thankful for......I am not ready to throw in the towel and quit. I just am tightening up the laces on my gloves, stepping back in the ring and I will continue to FIGHT this terrible disease.

People have asked, "do you need anything?" The answer is a LOUD yes. Brenda and I covet your prayers. We both know that I am in the battle for my life, my very right to exist. I cannot express what all the calls, PM's, posts from my FAMILY here mean to us. It just helps to know you are not in this FIGHT alone......

Believe,

Kevin

Well Lookie here......

Last night was another step forward....I actually played in my 1st softball game in 9 months!!! I cannot describe the feeling of stepping out on the field and to have my wife there to witness my excitement was amazing. God is so good to me...allowing me to do something I thought would take a few years to get back too....My performance wasnt that great, I did go 1-4 with 2 RBI's, but for the 1st time seeing live pitches in nearly a year...I will take that.

Last Friday, Michele and her family stopped by on their way to the beach. Thanks guys for the gifts and the visit. I feel like we are part of the same family. Enjoy your vacation, ALL of you deserve it. I cant wait until we can get to spend some more time together.

I am meeting more and more people affected by cancer on a daily basis. I ask that you PRAY for a cure to rid us of this terrible disease. I do have a special prayer request, I have a scan on May 28th to see the progress, read-destruction of the spots left in my liver. Please join with us in this prayer.

Thanks for stopping by.

Believe,

Kevin