ok. first things first.
the mass is not cancerous. biopsy showed it to fail all tests of that nature.
secondly, because the mass is of non-neoplastic nature, chances of it regrowing are very low. it’s mostly cystic nature, and because they did a full thymectomy [total removal of the thymus] chances of me regrowing a thymic cyst are again very low.
this is all most excellent news. also, though i’ve been working hard on my recovery, the doctors stuck by their recommendation of 6 weeks before starting to move into other physical realms. they said i would be limited by pain, and that i should definitely be aware of the pain and listen to it. screwing myself up between now and the next few months would be horrible and a major set back.
i will continue to write here on this blog with updates of how i’m feeling and what i’m doing. i have made it through some most difficult road blocks, and i truly would not have been able to do it without everyone’s support. many thanks to my family, bromley, brian and marijana, travis and kelly, curtis and margen, justine and dave, brooke, jd, my wonderful coworkers [AV and Westin!], sail sandpoint outrigger canoe club, all the oc paddlers in hawaii, all my friends spread out all over the place, from montreal to oz. i’ve shed a few tears, i won’t deny, along the road, but you’ve all managed to keep my spirits up and stay positive. i still have a long road ahead of me to regain my strength, weight [i'm down 35 pounds], appetite and mobility. i look forward to seeing everyone, either out on the water, on the trail, in the surf, on the snow, on the beach, in the mountains… it’s like i got a restart on life.
i go in for another checkup in 4 weeks, and if i’m clear then as well, then the surgeons said don’t come back. i hope that is what they tell me!
mahalo, kev
Yahoo Kevin…I’ll gladly give you 35 lbs…ha ha…KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ there is only one way to go and that is up…Hugs to you
Hey Kevin.
I have been out of town and missing the updates. I am so overwhelmed and impressed with what you have been through. My dad had one of those chest tubes some time in his 40s and always described it as the worst/most painful experiences in his life – and that was only one of them! I am so glad you are starting to feel better and also that you were willing to share your experience. It really is a great reminder to enjoy one’s health and ability to perform physically. Something I know I take for granted most of the time! And perhaps a lesson you have taken for many of us. Keep getting better quickly!
Roberta
Kevin: Wonderful news on all fronts! I remember your apologizing (sheesh, imagine that!) for failing to get together after Thanksgiving as planned. I think you apologized from the emergency room after your first real deficit breathing attack.
The blog reveals the rest of the story. Nearly Michael Crichton medical/sci fi.
You are a very strong man which was fairly obvious in your prior existence. Now… its plain for anyone to see and to marvel over.
Tell me when you want a visitor. I will bring frankincense and myrrh as you are God’s child for sure. Just an amazing saga. Sad that you have suffered in such realms of pain. Your attitude and resilience are an inspiration to help me overcome any of my petty (or larger) challenges. Keep on, brother.
-s.
Kevin,
I believe you are going to bounce back way faster than the docs expect. Are you sure the 35 lbs you lost wasn’t just from the mass?
Hang in there.
Melissa
congrats man, great news! thanks for the timely updates too.
stay strong!
Kevin your dad and I found we could breath again today too. . mellow day just enjoying the news.
Congratulations on your great news Kevin….so happy for you….chin up, chest out, unless and that hurts, and continue making giant strides toward total recovery!~~Love, Aunt Colleen and Uncle Rick
Yo Kev,
Great news. I was a little worried about the nature of that beast as I’m sure you were, and I’m glad to know it won’t be coming back any time soon.
Good to see you again in Seattle. Keep up the good spirits and rest well. It’s hard to sit still, but I’ve got to say I’m happy I rested while I did. Sudoku and John Stewart can do a lot for a man.
Take care good buddy!
GREAT NEW!!. We’ve been praying and pulling for you. Make the most of your recovery. Today is the the first day of the rest of your life. Makes one think. I can sense your excitment on being able to get on with life with a new prespective. Make the most of it.
Keep us up to date on your progress.
Love you.
Uncle Jim & Aunt Ger.
PS. Say hi to everyone for us.
Very relieved and incredibly happy for you. With every post I read, I marvel at how incredibly tough you are. Many positive thoughts headed your way from New York.
Love,
Shannon
Kevin,
Great news re: the pathology report and low reoccurrence possibility. Keep up the walking it is a great start to recovery and do pay close attention to the pain as it is the red light green light the body uses to let us know to slack off or speed up. Your in our prayers.
Our best to you
Bob & Yvonne
That’s such a relief to hear it’s not cancerous. Patience is a really useful thing in life to learn…the younger the better IMO.
Will I even be able to recognize you when I see you next
Glad to hear this news. Stay strong get better soon. I have to say this is one of the craziest medical stories I have heard in a long time. I am relieved that it is all looking up.
great news, Kevin, you must take a photo of you and Dave to send me. You are one lucky guy. Who says miracles don’t happen? you’re living proof and most inspiring. You had so many people pulling for you.
Take care, get strong, don’t push yourself, listen to your body, the worst is over and you can put those fearful terrorizing days behind you. Happy thoughts and just at the beginning of a new year!
Sallie
one more thing…………
your book, it is a book that doctors would use to teach young medical students the endurance, the pain and the positive end results!
Mostly, this will be an important book because you have such an intelligent grasp, you will inspire patients as well as anyone in the medical field! See Ya on Oprah!
Sallie
I am so glad to hear the great news. It was good to see you last week. Good luck with the weight gain!
Nina
You must have the most incredible scars! Now the girls will think of you as “dangerous”… Let’s start brainstorming a story, something involving intelligence work. Maybe you were on a mission and took a bullet to the chest to save a child in a gunfight in the desert. A roaming nomadic tribe picked you up and they had to open you up with primitive instruments to save your life. Six weeks riding on a camel, and you walked thru searing heat to find haven in Istanbul.
Nah. Your story’s better
-Chris
Hi Kevin just thinking about you and checking in…Hope you are getting stronger everyday.
Love you