Start of Treatment

It's crazy what can happen in a month.

On the 4th of July, I had just gotten off of work and went to go visit my parents and brother, Justin, who had come up to Logan for the evening. Things were well. We had an appointment with the Huntsman the next day, but expected good results.

Like I said, it's crazy what can happen in a month. In that month, we went to a doctor's appointment at least once a week, found out my cancer was back, and I moved back home to Cedar City. Completely not what I expected.

In fact, it's crazy what can happen in 10 days.... that was when I had written my last blog post. In that time, I've found out that my cancer is in a few spots (my right rib, left shoulder and right hip) and that we're jumping on the treatment train now.

I started radiation yesterday (Happy birthday, Dad), and I start chemotherapy next Tuesday (Happy birthday, Ashley).

People have told me that I have a lot of optimism, and that is true, but let me tell ya.... this whole thing sucks. So bad. I don't want to do chemo again, lose my hair, experience nausea, experience pain, not live in Logan, not do A-Team stuff, and not go to school. But let me point out some awesome things that have come out of this:

• I am living in Cedar City..... now that I'm home, I love it. It's nice to be back with my family, nice to see old friends, and nice to be around my siblings and their families. I think the reason I love Logan so much is because it reminds me of Cedar!
• I got a lot of love and support... from everyone.
• On Monday of last week (the 25th), I spread the word of what was up. I got SO many texts, comments, messages that really meant a lot to me. For all of you who did something for me that day, thank you.
• The next day, a SOAR day, all my A-Team family wore blue ribbons... in MY honor. :')
• On Friday of that week (just six days ago), some of the A-Team shaved their heads, again in my honor.
• My cousins shaved their heads.
• My aunt started a little Facebook "uplift Erik" thing for me.
• My ward wore blue ribbons for me.

The A-Team wearing blue ribbons

Some of the A-Team shaved their heads

I love the 18th ward

• Some friends and roommates helped me pack my car
• My parents helped me take my stuff home, and unpack (I got a port in on Monday, so that the docs wont have to start an IV in and destroy my veins. For that, I'm supposed to take it easy for a few days, and that's why they got to carry in the heavy stuff)

(video idea credit: Jenna and Isabel)

As most of you know, one of my jobs this summer was being on the A-Team and working on Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) days. As an A-Teamer, I get to welcome students, get them excited to come here, have my own small group, answer any questions they have before they start school, and just help them in their quest for awesomeness. A few weeks ago, when I knew something was up, my biggest prayer was that I could still finish out the last SOAR days. Things worked out perfectly, and I finished the last SOAR day last Friday. I don't get to be a TA for the Connections course a week before school, and I'm done with the other A-Team stuff once the semester starts, but as far as SOAR, I got to do it all.

And let me tell you: BEST JOB EVER.

Thanks for letting SOAR work out. :)

So, the plan. Like I said, I started radiation yesterday. I'm in a little bit of pain, but still able to function at about 80%. We are radiating a few spots on my shoulder and rib, followed by some chemotherapy which starts next Tuesday. The chemo rounds will be every 3rd week, and we'll go four cycles right now and see where we're at. As it's been this whole cancer journey, it's a waiting game, so I'll update you later. For now, we just wait and see!

I mean it when I say it: Life is good. God is good. Every day is an adventure, and every day is amazing!

Keep running.