After preliminary appointments with my primary care physician Dr. Nielsen, I was forwarded to the UC Davis Cancer Center for further evaluations and eventual treatments. On September 18, 2003, with my family by my side, I made my way to the Cancer Center for my first appointment. I don’t know what I expected, but what happened next was not even imaginable. During my appointment, my femur snapped at the sight of my cancer. Think about it. You are sitting there already in shock that you have cancer, then the doctor asks you to roll over, and snap! What? I have cancer and now my leg is broken?

I was rushed to the Emergency Room at UC Davis. In pain, filled with anxiety, I waited. My family did too. Finally, very late in the evening, I was moved to a room. My family was relieved that I now had a room, but that was all they were relieved about. It was a very tense time.

September 23, 2003 was a day of incredible anticipation. I was going in for my first surgery with Dr. Donthineni. He was to take a biopsy and to place a steel rod to secure my broken bones. Would this help my pain? Sitting in bed with a broken leg was difficult, and I prayed this would help me. But I still have cancer… it was daunting.

When you think about having cancer, you think about chemo or radiation…removing the cancer. But now I had to add my broken leg. Now with my leg more stable, I was ready to start chemo. I thought I was prepared, but those thoughts of doubt sit inside you. On September 26 chemo began. I was to remain on the treatment for 72 hours. Here I go.By the end of this treatment, I had been in the hospital for over a week. I just wanted to go home. On September 30 my wish was granted. I was able to enjoy my son’s birthday and spend time relaxing in a setting more comfortable for my recovery. Then, on October 2 I passed out. I was rushed by ambulance to another Emergency Room. By now, I didn’t think I was going to catch a break.

I returned to UC Davis for my second batch of chemo on October 17. 72 more hours of continuous chemo. Cancer, broken leg, long hospital stay, and then I pass out! Okay, so I have more chemo. Just get it done… right? Wrong… my body couldn’t process this treatment that was meant to save my life. Instead of passing through my body, it stayed inside me. My kidneys were now an issue as this drug was destroying them.

I know what you are thinking. That I am doomed, was from the start. How can anyone survive all of this? It wasn’t just cancer, the cancer was now becoming the last thing on everyone’s minds as I was encountering a new hill to climb almost everyday… Hill to climb… funny since my leg is still broken. My kidneys are now failing…. and I still had cancer. But thank God for UC Davis. On October 20 I was moved to ICU, and miracles began to happen.

I started dialysis on October 22 to help my kidneys. During this time, I was getting better, but still not out of the woods. My body needed to get the chemo out! The doctor suggested I try an experimental drug that was designed to help my body rid itself of the chemo. I had the choice… give it a try or die. If it didn’t work… I’d die. What to do? I wanted to live, who doesn’t! And UC Davis was the best place to take that chance… I had the best care, and I knew that if I put my trust in them, then I had a shot to live.

I spent only 12 more days in the hospital. I know… it seemed like a long time, but when you think you might die, and you live… 12 days is a blessing. I had to go to dialysis 3 times a week, and on November 19 I again went into surgery again with Dr. Donthineni. Unlike my previous surgery, this one had an interesting potential. Would I or wouldn’t I keep my leg? I know this sounds really trivial when you compare this to living or dying, but this meant to me, would I or wouldn’t I continue to golf? This could be a life altering event should I live.

The first thing I asked when I came out of surgery was if my leg was still there. Although quite in-coherent to my family and still groggy, I was relieved when they assured me it was still there.
On November 27, I was able to go home. Both my legs in tact. Alive… still battling cancer, but now that was all I was fighting. If I could go through all of this… cancer didn’t have a chance! In fact, April 2004 marked my last chemo treatment and cancer has been a distant memory.

So, what have I been up to? I was able to retire this past year! Retire! Alive and well, I was able to sit back and say goodbye to working and hello to the golf course! I garden, play with my grandchildren, travel, and golf! Going through dark times has made me appreciate each and every day, and I am grateful to my family and UC Davis for giving me my future back! [back...]