This is not a blog about cancer. Yes, it began as a CaringBridge journal designed to keep family and friends updated on my health journey. And yes, if you or someone you love has cancer or is facing another type of serious health challenge, I humbly hope it might offer some level of comfort in letting you know that you are not alone. But what began as a series of health updates quickly evolved into digressions on a variety of subjects close to my heart: family, friendship, faith, running, biking, adventure, travel, writing, etc. … i.e. the Important Stuff. Sure, you’ll find a fair amount of content in here about super-fun subjects like biopsies, chemo, surgery, and radiation, but I repeat, this is not a blog about cancer. It’s about living … Joe
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The Flying Fortress
Update (2 months in 116 words) … 10 rounds lower spine radiation: helped pain (can sleep), hurt stomach (lost 10 lbs) … new chemo: 1 drug is light work, the other sent me the hospital for a night (thought it was heart toxicity, but probably just a tumor in my
What’s Your Prediction For the Fight?
WARNING: the following was written under the influence of sleep deprivation and pain, and contains frequent use of RANDOM MOVIE REFERENCES, IRREVERENT TAKES ON SERIOUS TOPICS, a few instances of SEMI-FOUL LANGUAGE, and INCESSANT WHINING. Allow me to begin by just saying, “HOLY MOLY!” As in, “What the F***?!” As
Lost in the Woods
A lot’s happened since my last post, so I’m afraid this one’s gonna have to be heavy on update and light on fun. If you skim or skip at any point, please dip back in for the note at the very bottom of the post … Over the past six
Mojo and a Glass Cage of Emotion
I went down the rabbit hole recently, thinking of classic crying scenes in movies. Several immediately came to mind. No doubt, Matt Damon’s breakdown in Good Will Hunting is a solid one—the old, “tough guy finally breaks after confronting all the past abuse he endured” setup. Having Robin Williams there,
A Simple Thank You Will Do
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 3+ months since I’ve checked in … the long and short of it: I finished four more rounds of chemo in May, had a scan that looked okay, and agreed with the doctors I’d take the summer off before starting chemo again. Here’s the
Last Dance with the Beast
Short and sweet update: Now, for the important stuff: I completed the 8-hour Frozen Foot Adventure Race on March 11th. This one meant a lot to me, as it represented the 20th consecutive year I’ve done at least one race, and it took place in and around Sky Meadows State
The PR
Short and sweet update: Now, for the important stuff: I am done with the short film I’ve been messing around with off-and-on for months. By now you probably understand that I have to have a creative endeavor going at all times. Some of these projects are serious (like the novel,
My Superpower
Update … Morgan Freeman (as in the only actor that can pull off playing Nelson Mandela, the POTUS, and God). Okay, okay, I guess I gotta give you more than that … I’m thinking of a classic Morgan Freeman scene from the very underrated “the world’s about to end” disaster
Living in the Gravy
Wow! I can’t believe it’s been nearly 4 months since I’ve posted an update! What can I say, the war rages on, but I suppose you get, what, used to it? I’m in my 4th round of the new chemo at the moment (infusion every 3rd Monday), and so far,
From the Front Lines
Forgive the war language below, but let’s face it, anyone who has cancer or has loved someone with cancer knows that’s exactly what the fight against it is. After all, it’s nothing less than a life-or-death struggle, inch-by-inch, for territory. Of course, the territory being fought over isn’t a forest or
Skip, We’re Gonna Make It!
Remember the George Clooney movie, The Perfect Storm, based on the true story of the Andrea Gail, a fishing boat that sunk during (you guessed it) a really bad storm? Not a Clooney fan? I get it. But let me remind you that both Marky Mark Wahlberg and John C.,
Bolt Takes His Victory Lap – iPhones, Ice Packs, and the Hand of God
For the record … January scans grade: B+ (no new tumors in the spine, most tumors in the lungs haven’t changed, some have grown, a few have actually shrunk, very small lesions in my ribs noticed for the first time, but they’ve apparently been there from the beginning and haven’t
A Year of Good Living (the Art of Jackassetry)
Yesterday was a big day for me. One of the most profound of my life, in fact. November 6 has been floating out there, deep in the recesses of my mind, for the past year. Like a distant asteroid, whose projected trajectory might just have it crossing paths with earth
Keep Throwing Punches
Okay, I officially became a triple-crown winner this week. Chemo, surgery, and radiation in a single year. If I can squeeze in a quick clinical trial or maybe some immunotherapy or something, I think I get a free set of grill utensils. I got zapped Monday, Wednesday, and yesterday. I
Fun with T9
SHORT UPDATE ONLY: MRI showed just the one lesion on my spine (it’s in the T9 vertebra), so that was fantastic news – working through radiation planning now – I should start late next week or following week – probably 3-5 sessions total – idea is to hit that vertebra
We Don’t Get to Pick Our Fights
Some updates are harder than others … the last one was a joy, unfortunately this one’s tough, but an important one nonetheless, if you have a minute. Since my last visit to Georgetown on the 8th, when they told me things looked pretty stable and that I had another four
Short and Extra Sweet
I’ll keep this one short and sweet, as many of you are aware I had my scan yesterday and I want to get an update out there. Thanks to everyone who was praying for a good report, and thanks to God for giving us what we so desperately wanted! …
The Work is the Work
The work is the work … Before I explain the above statement, I’ll give you a quick health update: heart echo last month checked out—no issues under the hood. I’m now pretty much off all meds except the occasional Tylenol, and the dizzy spells and other weird episodes have gone
Stage 5 Truths (with Papa Hemingway & Fraggle Rock)
Been a while since I’ve posted anything … hope everyone’s well! I’m doing okay, overall … The last time I ran a 5K and really tried I was 43 years old, and my goal was to break 20 minutes – I came up short with a 20:50 (6:43 pace) …
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Quick but BIG update this time, as we had our scan this week … I have so much to say (shocker) about what life’s been like over the past couple weeks leading up to this, but I’m still chewing on it all, and right now I just want to get
A Little Aimless Drifting (is Good for the Soul)
Tonight’s Menu: 1 quick side note and 1 full-on digression (in other words you can check out now) … Side Note: I made fun of speed walking in my last post. Today I googled something about running and walking speeds and stumbled upon an article about “race walking” – I did
A One-Way Ticket (with Flat Man-Boobs)
Update: I crossed over the 1 month post-surgery mark this past weekend, and I guess I’d say I’m feeling pretty good – I’m off pain meds and been working, walking 2-4 miles at a time, doing some “fast” walks (I mean just walking fast, not the actual dorky speedwalking kinda
The No Man’s Land (Between Giving and Taking)
You remember at the end of Rocky, when Apollo and Rocky are draped all over each other and Apollo says, “Ain’t gonna be no rematch,” and Rocky says, “Don’t want one.”??? Well, that’s pretty much the story here. Thyjoema is presently being cut into little pieces, stuffed into mice, examined
10,000 Words in Pics
If a pic’s worth a thousand words, here’s 10 thousand words to cover our NYC vacay so far – safer to send pics anyway as I’m still hitting the fentanyl! Got to bring Aedan up for first couple days so that was really cool. As for an update, Anne pretty
An Update from Anne
An awesome Good Friday update from the Graber’s spring visit to NYC: –After five hours of surgery Joe is awake and alert! –99.9% of the larger tumor taken out. It was about 8cm–a little larger than expected. –His Phrenic nerve was protected. –Five nodules from lungs removed.–The remaining tumor on
To All My Killer V900s …
Okay, the date is set. The TFC (Thymoma Fighting Championship) up in NYC is scheduled for this coming Friday, April 2nd. That’s right … Good Friday! We are heading up there tomorrow for interviews and the weigh-in (actually, I have appointments Monday and testing Wednesday, but “interviews and weigh-in” just sounds cooler).
Serendipity, Italian Style
I could make this the shortest post ever, by just typing “Thank God,” and leave it at that. That really does sum things up today … but if ever there was a post that deserves a few words, it’s this one. Five months ago, I sat in my truck up
Tough One
Tough update this time around, but I know a lot of folks have been thinking of us and praying for us, so here it is. Unfortunately, the chemo has not worked to shrink the tumors. And unfortunately, it has done some damage to my heart, although we’re hoping that reverses
Happy Anniversary Baby!
UPDATE ONLY (60-second read, I promise!): Refresher … I was scanned at the end of round 2 chemo (end of December) and as you may recall, the tumors had not shrunk. I’m in the middle of my 4th round of chemo now, and I’m back in for scans, etc. this week:
Fo Shizzle, My Nizzle
Quick Update: Round 4 tomorrow morning. C and I are over in G’Town tonight, since I gotta be at the hospital at 7am. So, “Once more unto the breach dear friends,” or, if you prefer Snoop Dogg over Shakespeare, “Fo shizzle, my nizzle, the more medicated, the more dedicated,” although,
Squaring Up on Usain Bolt
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, UPDATE FIRST, RANDOM, LONG DIGRESSION TO FOLLOW: I apologize for the radio silence! Truth is, I just haven’t wanted to talk about cancer much lately. I’ve come to realize the best way to fight it, is to try to forget you have it. But an update is
Not the Worst News …
Always a risky move posting in the middle of a chemo session but I know I owe an update … Heart echo was fine – bloodwork was great again – unfortunately, CT scan doesn’t show much change – maybe tiny shrinkage in chest tumors but no real change in lungs
Happy New Year!
Hello family & friends and Happy (almost) New Year! Big day tomorrow, as I go in for echo to check how my heart’s holding up, and, most importantly, a CT scan to see if the chemo’s working. I’d like to think all is good, as I’ve been feeling well, and
Bald Brothers-in-Arms
Just an update: all relatively good here – Covid dustup is behind us – all 4 girls tested negative the end of last week – supposedly Aedan never got it (although we may antibody test him in few weeks to see) – although it was kind of a nightmare for
A Cinematic Offering … C3 ISO
Quick update: C is now 100%, T is close to 100%, M is much better last day or two, as well. C is still in QT with T and M, until they’re all in the clear. A is still fine (maybe retest him or get him antibody test at some
Girls Up 4-0
For those keeping score, Girls 4 – Boys 0. Briton’s had it and is over it. Christie tested positive again. MacKenzie and Tegan both tested positive yesterday. Aedan and I both negative. C is feeling much better. Mackie and Tegan both have minor symptoms. Keep the prayers rolling for Tegan
The Siege Continues …
Can’t a guy just relax and enjoy his Red Devil in peace? The siege at the Graber compound continues, but we are holding up well. Christie tested positive. Briton’s original test was positive, but she has since tested negative and has no symptoms now – so she had it and
Uh-oh … a Visitor in the House
Gonna keep this one short and sweet, but figured I’d get it out there because I know folks are trying to reach C and checking in with me, etc. It seems the virus might have found its way into our house. Christie is quarantining in Briton’s room, and she’s been
Fresh Off the Transport Truck (in Chemoland)
Greetings from ChemoLand! As this was my first week, I figured I’d get some highlights recorded for posterity’s sake. But before I go there, I want to again thank everyone out there for the amazing support our family has received. Prayers, kind thoughts, well wishes, texts, calls, notes, letters, pop-ins,
Knights of the (Oncology) Roundtable
First of all … HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TEGAN!!!!! She turned 12 yesterday! So yeah, that would mean 12 years ago today, she was chilling under the blue lights of her NICU bed, while the docs were telling us she was born without a bile duct, etc. etc., and throwing around phrases
He’s Not Gettin’ Killed! He’s Gettin’ Mad!
LONG ONE: IF YOU JUST WANT STRAIGHT-UP NEXT STEPS INFO, SKIP ALL THE WAY DOWN TO WHERE IT SAYS: “So there you have it – here’s where I’m at right now:”) PARENTAL WARNING: the following contains frequent use of BAD MOVIE QUOTES and CHEESY SPORTS METAPHORS, occasional use of FOUL
Anything is Possible
This is a tough update to put together, but I need to get it out there. We’ve known for a couple weeks now that the lung biopsy was kind of an all or nothing situation. If it came back negative, then we’d have a tough, but clear path out of
Time on My Mind (Clay in the Kiln)
Tegan first … Still no actual medical updates as we had to reschedule her appointment this week due to my and Christie’s romantic getaway to NYC. But she’s getting around okay (dare I say improving, even) and is super psyched it’s Halloween weekend! As for me … Biopsy on Thursday
Low on Gas
All update post again (too low on gas to even get in wisecracks this time – wait, isn’t that kind of a wisecrack?): This really is turning into an adventure race – made more complicated by the virus. Lung biopsy now lined up for Thursday in NYC (MSK). Blessed to
This Just Doesn’t Hang Together Very Well
All update on this one (but if you’re short on time or interest, I’ll just say upfront we’re still kind of lost in the woods at the moment, and you can check out until we get more concrete info – if you want some details, read on) … #1: we haven’t
Adventure Racing … Mashed Potatoes Feet 101
WARNING: NO UPDATES – THIS ONE IS 100% DIGRESSION, SO FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT NOW (HEY, I’VE BEEN STUCK IN A HOTEL ROOM IN NYC ALL DAY—WHAT D’YA EXPECT?) … ADVENTURE RACING. Yeah, that’s right, adventure racing. From the beginning, when I first started letting friends and family know
Clear as Mud
Okay, bunch of updates (sorry for length): Tegan dominated her MRI Thursday night. Yes, although an MRI requires you to just lay still, it is indeed possible to dominate it, especially if you’re afraid, you don’t like loud noises, and you don’t like being stuffed in tubes (does anyone?). Report
Biopsy Fun with Michael Myers
Quick update, just cause a few folks have checked in, asking. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything new to report just yet. The biopsy was Friday. It really wasn’t as much fun as I thought it’d be. The nurse said they’d be going in through my back or the side of
The Demogorgon in My Chest
First, a most important note: Tegan’s MRI was cancelled at the last minute by insurance (no comment) – it’s now been moved to another location next Thursday. She’s doing okay at the moment, walking a bit more, getting wheelchair rides, etc. Let it be said that she is almost comically
How to Trash Talk the Kids
Big week: PET scan (done last Thursday) results hopefully coming in next day or two, bloodwork etc. Wednesday, Tegan MRI Thursday (more on that below), biopsy procedure Friday … Now for the important stuff. Since they were old enough to walk (and understand trash talk), I’ve told my kids the