Mojo Warriors https://mojowarriors.com Sam Shelby Thu, 13 Aug 2015 16:32:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.15 Serenity Now… https://mojowarriors.com/serenity-now/ https://mojowarriors.com/serenity-now/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:58:44 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=451 If you don’t know this term, watch the video, it’s a quick education on it’s meaning.

I’ve used this term a few times lately, its been very relevant to some situations that have surrounded my treatment and transition to Duke. I’ll give ya’ll the nutshell version and maybe you’ll understand why!

So I had a good initial meeting with Dr. Ready, the oncologist at Duke. He had me come in the following week to get some screening and preliminary stuff done before getting the trial started. And, had me go get some blood. My hemoglobin was way low. I went to UNC and got two pints. A bit of a nerving experience. But we got it done. That was on a Thursday. On Monday, I woke up to my right clavicle area swollen and very sore. Right near where my port tube meets the artery it’s connected to. I thought the transfusion had irritated it. We’ll come back to this.

Blood_work

That aint my blood.

 

Few days later, after a number of phone calls and emails, I got my appointment to get my screening done. EKG, blood work and a CT scan from top of my head to my pelvis. This turned out to be a LOOOOOOOOONG day. Most of them are in the hospital. That blood transfusion went from 11-6pm. But we got it done. EKG fine. Blood fine for the most part. CT scan not so good. Dr Ready called early Friday morning to tell me I have  blood clot in my left lung and to get my tail to the hospital ASAP to get a blood thinner shot. So another day at the hospital. And it came with a kicker. I have to give myself 2 Lovenox shots EVERY day. For life.  Not exactly what I was wanting to hear. But again, we got it done, and I’m handling the shots ok. Needles are only about 1/2 inch long. Goes in your belly fat (which I have very little of), kinda like a diabetes shot.

Because of the blood clot, my treatment was delayed from the 13th to the 24th. Serenity Now. Something to do with the blood thinner and the trial drugs not jiving right. This is extremely frustrating…more waiting while this cancer keeps growing in my body. I mentioned the swollen area earlier that I thought may have been an infection from the blood transfusion. Wrong. Cancer in my lymph nodes on that right side. Serenity Now. Up to this point, everything has been confined to my left side. Now it’s made it’s way to my right. Super sucks. Especily since we don’t start treatment until the

POSITIVE NOTES – Gotta keep the good MOJO energy in check, so here are some nice highlights from the last few weeks.

Fundraisers – I received a nice check from the Eddy Haneman fishing tourney. Thanks to everyone that showed up for the luncheon and to Stacy Wester and company for making this happen. It brought me to tears. An interview I did actually ended up on Time Warner Cable. We famous. Joe’s Bucket Bash – speaking of fundraisers, who’s coming? Huge event at Captain Bill’s over off Market St. Volleyball, corn hole, music, booze, auction with some great items from local shops and restaurants etc. Event is August 29th at 11am. I will be there and will be playing corn hole with my buddy JC. Bring your best. It’s GAME ON! https://www.facebook.com/joesbucketbash

Care packages  – I continue to receive some great gifts from all over the country. These things certainly make me feel better and loved and I can’t thank you all enough for all the cool goodies.

General kindness – it continues to blow my mind how caring and thoughtful folks have been. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 

*And yes, if things get too wacko, Serenity Now has lost is power, and I feel like I’m about to blow a gasket, I will switch over to Hoochie Mama as my new relaxation technique…

 

 

 

 

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Headed down Tobacco Rd… https://mojowarriors.com/headed-down-tobacco-rd/ https://mojowarriors.com/headed-down-tobacco-rd/#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2015 02:40:21 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=445 …and ironically going to be tapping into a trial drug that is working really well right now on non-smokers.

Had a really nice meeting with my oncologist at UNC yesterday, it was probably one of the more calm and thorough meetings we’ve had in a while. I went in with low expectations, I have found that this is a better mental route at the hospital. Things just never go as planned. This way of thinking worked, as we have action next week.

I’m getting a nerve block on Monday to alleviate this pain in my left lower back. It’s just not going away. It’s an outpatient procedure, gonna stick some big needles in my spine and numb some areas. Should last about 3 weeks. I’m actually really looking forward to getting this done.

More importantly, I am meeting with Dr. Ready next Thursday at Duke.There is a trial there that I have a good chance at qualifying for. It’s a kidney cancer drug that is seeing very positive results in treating other cancers. Will give more data on this as I have more.

Got a prescription to Marinol, a marijuana based pill that we are hoping will help my appetite. I’m a friggin wafer right now and need a booster for eating. Hope this works.

Thanks again to all of you for your support. The MOJO has been coming in heavy lately and every bit helps.

Have a great weekend, friends and family. Love you all. ~SS

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Beach Bums… https://mojowarriors.com/beach-bums/ https://mojowarriors.com/beach-bums/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2015 14:04:04 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=430 So I’ve discovered that a good way to recover from 3 weeks of radiation is to sit on the beach with family and friends and eat homemade grub and talk about the good ol days and watch kids fly kites and take naps on the couch and look for dolphins on the horizon and sleep in and breathe in the salt air… .that’s where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing. I am sorry for not updating this earlier. Been laying low. I’m feeling a bit better, the radiation reduced my pain, and I believe the progression of the cancer, which is what we wanted it to do. But, I have NO energy. One flight of stairs and I’m ready to find the couch. Seriously. It sucks. My appetite has been bad b/c of the morphine I’m on all day, every day. I’ve lost a lot of weight. Which all of you know, I don’t need!! But I’m eating more this week and that feels good. It was ugly for a while.

This Thursday we meet with my oncologist and will hopefully get some ideas for PLAN D. No clue if we will be tapping in to a new trial or dipping back into more chemo. NO CLUE. But I hope to have some news for everyone by end of week.

I will do a different post for this, but I am incredibly lucky to have been picked for the Joe’s Bucket Bash recipient in August at Captain Bills. Volleyball, corn hole tournaments, auction of local goodies…all helping fund my medical bills. I was teared up when I was offered this opportunity. There are some VERY KIND people in this world. Thanks to Gabe and John for getting me in the mix. Please like this page and get a team together and/or come out to the event and drink some cold beverages and make  a bid on some of the cool stuff. https://www.facebook.com/joesbucketbash

Sam_Dad_pier

Pops and I on Bogue Inlet Pier…we used to sleigh the croaker there!

 

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review and radiation… https://mojowarriors.com/review-and-radiation/ https://mojowarriors.com/review-and-radiation/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2015 13:37:04 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=423 Review and Radiation. Kinda sounds like an R.E.M. song. Not sure why. Just does. Here’s what’s going on. I have some other stuff to post, fun things, sappy things etc, but want to get this out there for all to know.

December: was given the news, had a lung operation and a biopsy.

January – February – March:  started and maintained chemo. saw some shrinkage.

April: chemo quit working. Switched over to the trial immunotherapy drug called Nivolumab. Cancer grew some during this transition.

May – June: had a few infusions of the trial drug, and it is simply not doing the job. Cancer has progressed and my left chest cavity is a bit of a mess. I’ve been in extreme pain, lost weight, and unable to get much done b/c I’ve been jacked up on Morphine.

THIS WEEK: So we made a tough decision to leave the trial and start radiation. It should give me some relief within a week or so and allow us to come up with Plan D. I have been miserable, and something has to change. I have my second radiation treatment today, it’s a short 15 minute procedure. Painless. Easy. The pics shows where they are concentrating on with the radiation.

Again, I’ve got some other stuff to post. But had to get this to all you loving folks out there inquiring! Please keep the phone calls to a minimum, I’m having a hard time talking. I’m very short of breath and it just int east to rap on the phone. More to come this week…

 

RadiationStates

We are working hard on assassinating the dictator that has taken over these regions!!

 

 

 

 

 

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Hurry up and wait… https://mojowarriors.com/hurry-up-and-wait/ https://mojowarriors.com/hurry-up-and-wait/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2015 16:10:29 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=415 Sorry for a bit of a delay in my posting. Been in a bit of pain these past two weeks and have not even had my laptop open.

Feeling a bit better today, I’m sleeping better and I THINK the PD1-Nivolumab is starting to work a bit. Had second infusion of it last week. The law firm of Spivey & Bernie sat in with me, we had a good time in our own private suite. My eyes have gone way bad in the last few months and I just got some new Ray Ban scrips, so I’m sporting those whenever I’m on my phone or iPad. We had some four eyed fun while I was getting my drip, as you can see.

When the Nivolumab kicks in, I should be in a lot better shape. Why am I in pain? If you put your fore finger on your sternum with you right hand, and draw a line under your arm to the bottom of your left shoulder blade, you’ve basically covered where the mess has grown inside me. It’s hitting some nerves in my ribs in my side and back. So at times it hurts to breathe, burp, hiccup, sneeze, cough or use any muscles to do something like get up out of a chair. Managing the right amount of pain medicine has been tough, and it will all not matter once the trial drug starts doing it’s thing. My doc said it could take a few more weeks. Everyone responds differently to it. So it’s a waiting game.

Thanks again to everyone. I’ve heard from some folks this past week with some encouraging stories of defeating cancer. These are a big help for me. I mailed a bunch of MW shirts this past few weeks, big thanks to everyone for your support and purchases!

 

 

 

 

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Mojo Bling Bling… https://mojowarriors.com/404/ https://mojowarriors.com/404/#comments Sun, 31 May 2015 01:13:33 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=404 Outside of wearing a watch, I’ve never been much of a jewelry guy. No necklaces or rings or bracelets. I did have that herringbone gold in 10th grade but we’re not gonna count that. So when my ol’ friend Mary McCall Timmer said she wanted to make me a a custom MW piece, I wasn’t exactly sure what to think. But we talked it through, and a piece for my key chain seemed like something I would use and have with me most of the time. I was shocked when this bad ass piece showed up at my house. Super cool and one of a kind! Huge thanks to you Mary, I’ve got my mojo with me at all times! And didn’t need an herringbone necklace  to do it. Click the pic to get a larger image…

MojoKeychain

Take a look at her beautiful work here: http://www.timmerdesigns.com

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Wham Bam Thank You Fam… https://mojowarriors.com/wham-bam-thank-you-fam/ https://mojowarriors.com/wham-bam-thank-you-fam/#comments Sun, 31 May 2015 01:00:54 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=398 I’m a lucky dude in many, many ways. One big way is my family and how great they’ve been though all this. Mom just left today, she was here for a week.  Had some quality time and just relaxed and caught up. She lives in Cali, so we don’t get to to hang all that often. My DC cousins drove down here a few weeks ago to spend some time before starting my new treatment and are always checking in on me. My brother drove up the week of my new treatment and joined me on my infusion day at the hospital. My aunt and uncle were with me till 1am a month ago in the ER after a blood clot scare. And Dad and JoAnne have been in the mix since the beginning and have been amazing. Just a few examples of how awesome my fam is. They will be a key factor in me beating this.

PD1 treatment update:  So I’m 9 days into my first treatment and I haven’t really felt any change, it’s actually been quite the opposite. The cancer has grown a bit and my chest and back have been in some pain. BUT, it is standard for the PD1 to start working about two weeks in. So this is no surprise. I have my second infusion this coming Thursday and the docs have said that this will be when some relief will start. So, I’m ready to get in there and make it happen. The port recovery has been fairly painless. I can hardly tell it’s there as I type this and it was smooth going last week. Much better when getting blood taken and with the drip. Glad I got it, so far.

Will update everyone again after this next treatment. Should be feeling better by the end of next weekend. Ready for it.

FamInfusion

Family infusion fun!

GoofySamAndMom

Getting goofy in Mebane, NC

 

 

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The Change Up… https://mojowarriors.com/the-change-up/ https://mojowarriors.com/the-change-up/#comments Fri, 15 May 2015 13:12:05 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=381 The Change Up. It’s a pretty darn good movie, but didn’t make too big of a splash at the theaters. Has a quick appearance by my actor buddy Gabe Wood – good work dude! Wish that what this entire post was me rambling about this movie and it’s funny parts but I’ve got other news to report though that involves some change.

A while back I said I was thrown a curve ball. This entire scenario that we’ve found ourselves was one mean pitch back on December 1. And now we’ve been thrown another pitch. This one was a changeup (click to read what type of pitch this is in baseball). Here’s why I’m categorizing it as that: Went in for my 6th infusion yesterday, and to have my port put into my chest – which allows for an easier time getting treatments. No more IV’s and tearing up my veins. Had the port put in early, then went to go talk to my doc. I’ve been having some back pain and general discomfort on my left side, and it has progressively been getting worse, especially the last week. Told this to my oncologist, who had me go take an unscheduled CT scan. Radiology came back, and the cancer has spread a bit into the back of my chest cavity. The current chemo has quit working. We’ve been thrown a changeup, one we were not expecting quite this early in the game. Thought the pemetrexed may be what we were doing for the next few months at least, but not so. So we cancelled the chemo, and I’m now due back in there next Thursday.

We are going to respond to this “changeup” by taking a swing with the PD1 immunotherapy drug called Nivolumab. It’s made by Bristol Myers and is the trial drug I qualified for a while back. It’s working very well and proving to fight many types of cancer. It has it’s own side effects, but should not be as bad as chemo. Frankly, I’m very excited to get going on this treatment and confident it’s going to make a big change for the better. We didn’t start with this b/c I got randomly selected to start with traditional chemo.

That’s the latest. I will have more next week. Keep the MOJO flowin’ folks. For me. Your family. Your friends. Whoever is in need of some good juju, vibes, prayers, support etc. I’m gonna hit a home run with this new treatment and need your encouragement through it all. Big hugs out to everyone. Batter up! ~SS

Sam_with_Port

Luckily they gave me the hair net so my hair would not fall onto my cheese slice or anyone elses grub.

 

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Dub Love… https://mojowarriors.com/dub-love/ https://mojowarriors.com/dub-love/#comments Tue, 05 May 2015 15:18:28 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=377 Screen Shot 2015-05-05 at 10.57.27 AM

So the gang over at UNCW got word of the Mojo blog.  They did a feature on their blog about this blog, and now I’m blogging about that blog. Is there a term for this? Maybe we can coin one.

Many thanks to them, and to all my Seahawk friends out there for all your support.

Check  it out: http://uncwalumni.blogspot.com/

 

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We asked for more shrinkage, we got it… https://mojowarriors.com/we-asked-for-more-shrinkage-we-got-it/ https://mojowarriors.com/we-asked-for-more-shrinkage-we-got-it/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2015 12:55:44 +0000 https://mojowarriors.com/?p=355 Had another CT scan yesterday prior to infusion #5 and results were good. About another 20% reduction in the primary tumor in my chest. We don’t have access to these radiology images, so I took a pic of it on the screen at the office. That’s an unofficial measurement you see on the image. It was over 6 centimeters when this all started, so things are going in the right direction. Keep showin’ us the shrinkage.

Big change in my routine yesterday was the omission of the primary toxic drug called Carboplatin. Done with that gnarly stuff. Now taking Pemetrexed only. Should not be be feeling so weak or sick in coming weeks as a result. We’ll stick to this until it quits working, and will then switch over to the PD1 immunotherapy drug. Could be 6 weeks. Could be a year. Just gotta wait and see. I also committed to having a port installed into my chest in 3 weeks to make these infusions a bit easier. Cut out all the IV mess – sore veins, bruised arms, etc. More on that in a few weeks.

These fine gentlemen joined me yesterday. Larry and Greg are long-time friends from college and we had some fun cutting up with the medical team yesterday. Lots of laughs. Grande thanks to these amigos for spending the entire day with me…scan, bloodwork, visit with the oncologist, infusion. The entire bit. Was nice to be able to eat lunch outside too, this sunshine does not suck.

Larry_Sam_Greg

Larry, thanks for skipping the Wolfpack red you usually wear and sporting the TarHeel blue. We know this was not easy.

Even Larrys daughter and her classmates got into the mix yesterday. Some southern MW love from a Charleston field trip!

Even Larrys daughter and her classmates got into the mix yesterday. Some southern MW love from a Charleston field trip!

 

I’ve got a good story about the shirt I’m wearing in the photo above. Will explain that in my next post. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Thanks again to all you Warriors for all the support, gifts, texts, calls, hugs, love and general good Mojo.

 

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