Donerail, long shot winner of the 1913 Kentucky Derby
Joan and I met yesterday with my radiation oncologist, a nice young man named Dr. Barry Goy. Dr. Goy will be overseeing my upcoming radiation therapy. I’ll meet with him for the initial planning session next Thursday morning, during which he’ll localize the areas in my chest to be treated.
During our meeting, Joan asked the doctor what the current prognosis is for stage IIIb non-small cell lung cancer patients. He told us statistics show a 5-year survival rate of 10-20% for treated patients. The median survival rate (when 50% of patients have survived, and 50% have died) is generally between 12 and 18 months. Not sunny news, but hardly a surprise to me, the Hopeless Google Junkie. Especially a hopeless Google junkie who also happens to be Queen of Long Shot Gamblers.
When playing the ponies, who cares about the horse with an easy 2-1 odds when one can bet on horses like Donerail? Donerail was the winner of the 1913 Kentucky Derby; a 91-1 long shot. He was a 3 year old stallion who rushed up from way, way behind to win the race in the stretch, beating Ten Point, a 6-5 favorite.
Dr. Goy tells me that radiation therapy is usually done over 5 weeks, in 15 minute sessions every weekday. The plan is for me to go each day from the radiation to the chemo session, a more aggressive approach to killing off cancer cells and shrinking tumors. While I have to wait until 1/20 to meet with the oncologist who will oversee my chemotherapy, Dr. Goy hopes to begin the radiation slightly before the chemo commences. Am I champing at the bit to get started? Yes! I was diagnosed with lung cancer on November 26, 2010. I’m holding November 26, 2015 in my mind as the date I want to be here to see; just as sure as Donerail set his eye on that long-ago finish line. Despite all odds.
Cuteheart,
I love your spirit and your determination. When I was a teacher, I always counted those things as far more important than native ability. You, my dear, always did and still do have an abundance of all of those things. I have appreciated following your blog updates and also, in reading people’s comments, seeing that your baby sister is still in your life and involved in what’s going on with you.
I also appreciate all of the loving people around you and in touch with you from afar on the internet who are so deeply into spiritual things. I’m afraid I always have been and remain firmly planted on terra firma though I do breathe deeply when needing to center myself. At this time, I am totally pissed off about this whole scenario, am feeling all of the “this is unfair” that you are not expressing, and would like to rock you a little. I will settle down. I still hold all the best hopes that you will get some good quality times in your life when the treatment is complete.
Bottom Line, Joyce…..I spent lots of time at Los Alamitos Race Track when my brother owned a little quarter horse there who raced for a short time. And I ALWAYS picked the 40-1 odds, especially if they were sleek and black and moved with a bit of a threatening prance. And I even won on occasion. So, I am with you in the kind of spirit I possess (it’s Jewish without the ritual), and I do feel sure that each and every day, week, month, and year you and Joan have together will be sweet ones.
love to you,
Bonnie
I never would have guessed that you, too, are a Queen of Long Shot Gamblers. Perhaps we need to form a little Society of Long Shot Gamblers (sort of sounds like a 12 Step Program, doesn’t it)? Thanks for the loving wishes. They mean a lot. I guess all those roses I put in the windshield of my sophomore year English teacher have finally paid off. ;-*
Isn’t there a racetrack story with how you became involved with the love of your life?
Yup. Joan and I met at one of Lu Elrod’s mega parties at Santa Anita, which is why we had our wedding reception there in 2008. We’ll be returning to Santa Anita on 1/23 for another event.
Difficult news; you are courageous for sharing your story this way and allowing us all – your medical professionals and your family, friends, and readers – to be your Golden Goose!
In the midst of all these dire circumstances your positive and brave stand are to be greatly admired. The lack of self pity and anger will hold you in good stead in the days to come. Hopefully any support we can give you will be of the same caliber.
Re: the long-shot aspect. I’ll share this: On a cancer survivors charity walk a few years ago, I met a prostate cancer survivor who said his doctor had told him that 99% of patients with his prognosis died. “I don’t want to know about the 99%,” he said he told his doc. “Tell me what the 1% did.” A good attitude, and this guy in fact became a long-term survivor. Someone is always in that 1% or 10% or 20% or 50%, and it might as well be you, I think.
Never give a fiery redhead a challenge…they’ll raise you and double, and win every time!! November 26, 2011…day after Thanksgiving and we’ll all be oh so thankful when you can break bread with us for that Holiday get-together. We’re counting on you there! Wherever there takes place…with most of the gobbledy-gook behind you and full steaming ahead!! Just keep imagining it gone; it’ll get the message…thanks for sharing your posts, Joyce!! My odds are on you!
Yesterday I was talking with a friend who was dxed at stage IIIc with ovarian cancer. Her doctors initially told her that no one survived what she had at that stage after 5 years. However… 12 years later she’s still here.
Certainly give Thanksgiving (and every day) additional meaning!
hi, Joyce,
I hope your week has been as smooth as possible. We leave tomorrow for Egypt, and I will be following your blogs whenever you enter a post. We will have a laptop.
I hope the Bamboo plant made it to your doorstep last Saturday and that it brings you all the best luck.
Take care, my dear.
love, Bonnie
Bon Voyage and I love the lucky bamboo plant! ;-*
Wishing you only the best and sending you positive good wishes for a full remission. I admire you and look forward to more blogs from you soon. Take care and know there are many who will be thinking of you. Never underestimate long shots – they are the biggest winners.