Fall 2022 just two months after my 17th PMC ride, Wendy noticed that something felt wrong in her middle. A CT scan and blood tests showed signs of some type of cancer. Two interminable months of scans and surgery found the tumor hiding out on her appendix. Due to its tucked away location, the appendectomy and tumor removal were complicated and were followed by two weeks in the hospital just to recover from the appendix surgery. The bad news -- the cancer was already stage-4 and had spread long before any symptoms had appeared.

Appendix cancer is rare and deadly. The appendix is a vestigial organ unused by other systems. Our body rarely notices it except for a major infection. Appendix tumors can grow for years and seed more tumors throughout the abdomen. At that point, no current treatments can remove all its locations.

I admit it. I broke down when her surgeon said, "Incurable". Anyone who knows our family knows Wendy is the driving force, the center of our family life, the love of my life, my wife of forty-two years, the mom of our three awesome daughters, and grandmom of our two (also awesome) grandchildren. Our whole family, friends, neighbors, and community were shaken by the news and over the past year have rallied to offer much-appreciated support.

Because of my years of riding the PMC, fundraising, and platelet donations, we knew from Wendy's first diagnosis she would be getting any treatments possible for her at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Having the Dana Farber in our lives has been a lifeline of hope, medical technology, and support.

January 2023 -- Dr. Ben Schlecter and his oncology team launched a plan of attack -- tailor chemo and immunotherapy treatments to Wendy's cancer, monitor her progress, and adjust with new chemo cocktails. Their aim would be to give Wendy the best combination of slowing the cancer and a satisfying daily life despite the debilitating side effects of chemo treatments.

Those first chemo treatments wiped out Wendy's immune system, led to rush visits to the Emergency Department, ambulance trips, undiagnosed infections, more surgical procedures (for a now unstable gallbladder), kicked off three more weeks in the hospital, and life with gallbladder drainage tubes. Each health flare up meant another delay in the chemo cycle. By the third chemo, though, a manageable rhythm had settled life down and the chemo drugs started working.

Spring / Summer 2024 - Six months of bi-weekly chemo in 2023 scored a huge reduction in Wendy's cancer. Now, after a five month reprieve we're into a second six-month chemo cycle and hoping for the best. With luck we can count the days ahead in years, not months, as we were originally prepared for. We can't say enough about how everyone at Dana Farber (Wendy's team -- Dr. Ben, Adriene, and Nina, plus all the infusion staff, and everyone we encounter) have been right there for us, not just with outstanding medical care, but also with incredible caring and emotional support at every step. Now, as a family, we are marching forward one day at a time and making the most of every day we have.

FYI - Details and updates of Wendy's journey are at her site (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/wendypostlethwaite/journal). Check it out! She loves comments! See her latest mosaics!

Giving Back and Paying It Forward

For over forty years the PMC has been a major source of funding for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Last year, the PMC brought a staggering $72M to the Dana Farber and this year that total will surpass $1 Billion since its inception. Our family is part of the thousands who can attest to how important that has been! This year, on Aug 3-4, more than 6,000 PMC cyclists will take to the roads again to raise the money DFCI needs to keep providing outstanding cancer research and support. We are proud to say the the PMC keeps none of your donations for administration or marketing. 100% of all donations go directly to the Dana Farber!

2024 will be my 19th two-day PMC fundraising ride. It's hard, but I won't be alone! There will be 6,000 riders and 4,000 volunteers, all of whom have had their families and lives scarred by cancer. We're all in it together! My route will be Wellesley-P'town (165 miles). All of the PMC / Dana Farber donations I raise will be targeted Dr. Schlecter's research for early discovery of abdominal and other rare cancers. Despite the emotions that I can feel building already, I know when I cross the finish line my ride and all my donors are doing something to help Wendy, and everyone else fighting cancer.

Cancer is affecting millions each year. The dreadful truth is that all the statistics become irrelevant when cancer hits home. Statistics become people with lives and stories -- too many family and friends lost to cancer. People we've loved, lives cut short, lost to a disease. At DFCI, the disease is being turned back! For me and our family, this PMC will be all about Wendy, supporting her and her DFCI team, and honoring all the other stories shared and cared by our PMC friends..

Please be a part of this year's PMC and Dana Farber efforts -- Join me and all the other PMC riders and volunteers in this year's mission to fund the hell out of the research, care for the patients, and fight cancer at:

https://profile.pmc.org/KS0135

Checks for 'Pan-Mass Challenge' can be sent to our home address (1 Sorelle Pl, Burlington, MA 01803).

Join us in Giving Back and Paying It Forward, and Making the Best of Every Day We Have,

Thanks for your PMC support all these years! Wendy and I are happy to share exactly how much it matters.

-Kevin