In summary, here is what brought me to the PMC (with an update on my current status).
In October 2017, an MRI of my hip showed a large mass, and my PCP told me it was “highly suspicious for malignancy.” As unnerving as it was to hear “malignancy” in reference to my scan, it didn’t really penetrate. Even when we met with the orthopedic oncologist a week later, and discussed some of possible diagnoses- primary bone, lymphoma, at best, benign osteosarcoma, I still felt hopeful. For me, the most devastating take away that day was that I probably wouldn’t run again. I was certainly not prepared (though, I suppose, whoever is?) for the diagnosis that would come the following week.
On Monday, November 6, 2017, while at work, I received a call from my orthopedic oncologist. She told me that I had cancer, which we had suspected. However, when she told me that I had lung cancer that had metastasized to my hip, I was completely shocked. I stupidly wrote it down on a post-it, “lung cancer” “metastasized,” as if I was going to forget. I left my office, called my wife, and then googled stage IV lung cancer (which I don’t advise doing). I wandered around Boston feeling shocked and devastated as I read about the poor prognosis of those with stage IV lung cancer.
Well, here I am, two and a half years later (two PMCs behind me), and I am still kicking. I have been in a phase 1 clinical trial, led by Dr. Pasi Janne, at Dana Farber. My type of lung cancer is caused by a genetic mutation (EGFR), and it can be treated with targeted therapy via oral medication. Two of these medications are being studied in combination with one another at Dana Farber. I feel so fortunate to be part of this study, and to have access to the most cutting edge treatment that exists for lung cancer. What is more is that the side effects are minimal (relative to other treatment protocols) and my life feels pretty normal. I lost a little bit of my hair, so I cut it short and discovered that there's more than one way to style my hair! The mass in my hip shrunk significantly, and I was able to run for a little while. Unfortunately, the mass in my hip came back and brought some of its buddies. I was treated via radiation again and the masses shrunk. More recently, doctors found three lesions in my brain and I had stereotactic radiation to treat those areas. That was an interesting experience to say the least. While my body will never be rid of the cancer, my hope is that the targeted medications will manage the cancer, much like other chronic conditions. As I said before, while I cannot run like I had before, I can Bike!!! And I will bike in my 3rd PMC this August.
So, when I think about why I am going to ride the PMC again, it’s mostly because I want to show the cancer just who is boss of my body and that I can do this. And the reason I can is because of the amazing research and treatment options offered at Dana Farber. So far, I’ve been spared the grueling regimen of chemotherapy, the only option that would have been available to me years ago, and unfortunately one that is the only option for many forms of cancer even today. There are so many others whose situations are far worse than mine. I think about kids (and their parents) who are diagnosed at a young age who have to endure and be strong when they should be out playing and enjoying their youth. I am going to ride because I want people to know, I am not dying. I am living with stage IV lung cancer. This is something that would not be possible without financial support for research. I am going to ride to support all cancer survivors and caregivers, and their families. I am going to ride specifically to promote lung cancer awareness, and in honor of those who have been affected by this pervasive disease. I had no idea that lung cancer is the deadliest cancer, taking more lives than breast, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancer combined (and despite this, receives the least amount of funding). I am going to ride in hopes that someone who gets diagnosed with advanced lung cancer somehow sees my story and knows that this isn’t necessarily a death sentence. I ride in the hope that this research will result in advanced cancer becoming a chronic disease rather than a terminal one. I ride in hopes for a cure.
Thank you to Dana Farber and my treatment team, and to my family and friends who have been so wonderful over the past year and a half. Thank you to my wife for supporting me and for being my best friend. A big thanks to my sister-in-law, Nickey, for coming up with the idea to do this in the first place and for riding with me the last two years. We had a blast!
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for supporting my hopes and my ride.
**100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure**
In summary, here is what brought me to the PMC (with an update on my current status).
In October 2017, an MRI of my hip showed a large mass, and my PCP told me it was “highly suspicious for malignancy.” As unnerving as it was to hear “malignancy” in reference to my scan, it didn’t really penetrate. Even when we met with the orthopedic oncologist a week later, and discussed some of possible diagnoses- primary bone, lymphoma, at best, benign osteosarcoma, I still felt hopeful. For me, the most devastating take away that day was that I probably wouldn’t run again. I was certainly not prepared (though, I suppose, whoever is?) for the diagnosis that would come the following week.
On Monday, November 6, 2017, while at work, I received a call from my orthopedic oncologist. She told me that I had cancer, which we had suspected. However, when she told me that I had lung cancer that had metastasized to my hip, I was completely shocked. I stupidly wrote it down on a post-it, “lung cancer” “metastasized,” as if I was going to forget. I left my office, called my wife, and then googled stage IV lung cancer (which I don’t advise doing). I wandered around Boston feeling shocked and devastated as I read about the poor prognosis of those with stage IV lung cancer.
Well, here I am, two and a half years later (two PMCs behind me), and I am still kicking. I have been in a phase 1 clinical trial, led by Dr. Pasi Janne, at Dana Farber. My type of lung cancer is caused by a genetic mutation (EGFR), and it can be treated with targeted therapy via oral medication. Two of these medications are being studied in combination with one another at Dana Farber. I feel so fortunate to be part of this study, and to have access to the most cutting edge treatment that exists for lung cancer. What is more is that the side effects are minimal (relative to other treatment protocols) and my life feels pretty normal. I lost a little bit of my hair, so I cut it short and discovered that there's more than one way to style my hair! The mass in my hip shrunk significantly, and I was able to run for a little while. Unfortunately, the mass in my hip came back and brought some of its buddies. I was treated via radiation again and the masses shrunk. More recently, doctors found three lesions in my brain and I had stereotactic radiation to treat those areas. That was an interesting experience to say the least. While my body will never be rid of the cancer, my hope is that the targeted medications will manage the cancer, much like other chronic conditions. As I said before, while I cannot run like I had before, I can Bike!!! And I will bike in my 3rd PMC this August.
So, when I think about why I am going to ride the PMC again, it’s mostly because I want to show the cancer just who is boss of my body and that I can do this. And the reason I can is because of the amazing research and treatment options offered at Dana Farber. So far, I’ve been spared the grueling regimen of chemotherapy, the only option that would have been available to me years ago, and unfortunately one that is the only option for many forms of cancer even today. There are so many others whose situations are far worse than mine. I think about kids (and their parents) who are diagnosed at a young age who have to endure and be strong when they should be out playing and enjoying their youth. I am going to ride because I want people to know, I am not dying. I am living with stage IV lung cancer. This is something that would not be possible without financial support for research. I am going to ride to support all cancer survivors and caregivers, and their families. I am going to ride specifically to promote lung cancer awareness, and in honor of those who have been affected by this pervasive disease. I had no idea that lung cancer is the deadliest cancer, taking more lives than breast, colon, prostate, and pancreatic cancer combined (and despite this, receives the least amount of funding). I am going to ride in hopes that someone who gets diagnosed with advanced lung cancer somehow sees my story and knows that this isn’t necessarily a death sentence. I ride in the hope that this research will result in advanced cancer becoming a chronic disease rather than a terminal one. I ride in hopes for a cure.
Thank you to Dana Farber and my treatment team, and to my family and friends who have been so wonderful over the past year and a half. Thank you to my wife for supporting me and for being my best friend. A big thanks to my sister-in-law, Nickey, for coming up with the idea to do this in the first place and for riding with me the last two years. We had a blast!
Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you for supporting my hopes and my ride.
**100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure**
| 2022 | $25.00 | PMC Fundraiser |
| 2021 | $75.00 | PMC Fundraiser |
| 2020 | $4,290.00 | Wellesley to Provincetown Monument (2-Day) |
| 2019 | $6,171.00 | Wellesley to Provincetown Monument (2-Day) |
| 2018 | $8,781.00 | Wellesley to Provincetown Monument (2-Day) |
