Matthew Slater

As a bonus, I'd probably be able to go off chemo for at least 6–9 months (possibly longer), which would be amazing after this many cycles. Still considering options (stay the course, take a break from chemo without surgery and monitor), but strongly leaning towards the surgery.

Good news from my MSK surgeon: surgery is tenable; the biopsies came back clean, indicating that the chemo has been working better than expected. It's a major, open procedure that will mean a several week recovery, but at the very least it can beat back remaining tumors and provide more information.

These days a little over 3 hours. 2 hours shorter now that I don’t do the oxaliplatin.

I started #chemo session #22 in the *private* room in the clinic for the first time (since the rest of the chairs were occupied). No one told me that this chair has a massage feature! As a bonus, I got a lunch hangout with my friend Miranda who was passing through before heading back to CA.

Halloween marks an easy-to-remember anniversary for my "cancer journey" (I remember thinking about going to my colonoscopy in costume). In those early days when the fear and uncertainty level was high, I did wonder at times whether I'd see another. So it's a happy milestone that it's been a year.

Chemo round #21 in the bag. Not super-psyched to be back to a Tuesday–Thursday schedule given that I'm teaching this afternoon. Hopefully my students will feel a bit more active than I am. . . . Followup appointment with MSK surgeon on 11/4.

To clarify: I should *eventually* get some news. They biopsied a bunch of tissue to see what its status is. Should know more at a follow-up appointment.

Pre-surgery last night. The team at MSK is so good in so many ways. Everything was smooth. No nausea this time. Will have some abdominal pain for a few days (4 incisions) but not too bad. No news to report. Apparently it’s hard to tell the difference between live cancer and dead (due to chemo). 🤞

It makes no sense. There’s nothing special about the stroke of midnight. Tell me 8 hours or whatever!

So my procedure has been serially moved back to 7:30pm today. Mind you, I was ordered not to eat after midnight last night. After some pushback, they said that I could have a light breakfast. My omelette and Laura’s pancakes at Sarabeth’s were very light and fluffy. So we’re good!

In NYC for my diagnostic laparoscopy tomorrow. Pre-surgical testing in the bag. Managed to avoid the temptations of their automatic espresso machine (lest it wreck my BP!).

Celebrated my 20th chemo session with donuts for the crew here. One of them (understandably) asked if this was my last session. Ah, unfortunately not. . . .

Honestly, my fingers have never looked better!

Weird phenomenon: I used to have a bad habit of absent-mindedly picking at my cuticles. (Gross, I know.) Since chemo started, though, I haven't done it at all. Like a switch flipped. . . . I'll take the win.

Day 2 of #chemo cycle #19 and all's well enough. No hiccups (yet). Except my usual chair (10) was taken over by the bloodwork folks because of dumb administrative changes. New chair had windows but more company / commotion. 😐

Met with MSK surgeon last week. Planning on a laparoscopy to take a little look-see in mid-October to judge whether CRS-HIPEC surgery (major procedure) is tenable. Tentatively blocked that out for early December. 🤞 Meanwhile, chemo load has been very manageable.

This weather sure makes the chemo aftermath easier to take. Round #18 commenced.

Saturday mood: an affogato (with coffee ice cream, no less!) while listening to Freddie Hubbard. And figuring out what all I’m assigning for my PhilSci course this semester.

The upside is that I’ll need to (get to) go off chemo for a few weeks to prepare for the laparoscopy and potential surgery. Surgery consult coming up.

Nothing revelatory from my MSK consult. I’m tolerating chemo well, disease stability is better than progression, but the peritoneal infiltration is hard to image. The next step is likely a laparoscopy to get some better insight. Probably something I can wait until early December to do.

Changing chemo schedule to biweekly M–W to better steer around my T/R teaching schedule. Once again, get to start a class with my pump on and hiccups threatening.

Had a very nice pre-classes, pre-chemo trip to NYC to visit some friends and attend opening day at the U.S. Open. Sprung for the good seats in Armstrong (saw Raducanu and Fritz matches) but took in lots else on the outer courts and even watched some practice sessions. Back to reality yesterday.

I know. I always read it as solidarity and such, not yay!

Interesting. . . . Haven't ever felt the inclination to drink shortbread.

CT results in. Somehow they manage to artfully blend the good news (disease stability again) with a sobering reminder of the bad: "Stable appearance of extensive abnormal soft tissue infiltration suspicious for metastatic involvement." Checking in with MSK oncologist next week.

Another morning with my grape-iodine CT contrast solution. Revolutionary new info though: I can bring my own flavor if I want!

Meanwhile, typing and writing is getting difficult. As is playing the piano or guitar, though it's still possible (if a little painful). I've definitely lost a lot of dexterity in addition to getting a general numb / tingling feeling in my hands and feet. Hopefully the new treatment will help a bit.

Neuropathy update: Had a few sessions of acupuncture; no change (worsened actually, but I don't blame the treatment). Trying treatment at a clinic 30 minutes away that feels more familiar (to me) — we talked about neurons and capillaries rather than meridians. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Back from Portugal on Sunday. Great trip. Lisbon and Porto are some striking cities. Some photos here: www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/...

Now it's back to my chemo reality. Will have to work back up to 12k+ steps a day. . . .

Made it to Lisbon — a very vertical city. Feeling good and also exhausted from all of the walking! Weather is perfect.