A Life's Walk with Cancer

A LIFE’S WALK WITH CANCER

 

When I established my blog in November 2013, A Life’s Walk with Cancer, I didn’t give much thought to the site’s name. In fact, the conception of the name came about easily; it just kind of emerged naturally as a suitable name for my blog. However, the name “A Life’s Walk with Cancer” serves as an apt similitude to my long-term fight against cancer.

In one aspect of this similarity, I’ve gotten used to the prolonged treatment infusions. In a bizarre kind of way, I look forward to my cancer treatments because they’re a chance to tie in social visits with friends and colleagues … almost like inviting a friend to a local pub to catch up on each other’s lives. And yes, there have been times that I have drifted off to sleep due to the immunotherapy drug. But my guests don’t mind.

Another parallel side between my blog’s name and life is that this fight has persisted for quite some time. Next month will mark the 6th year of my fight against cancer. Part of me is hopeful that this cancer will go back into remission (hopefully this year). The other part has embraced acceptance of the fact that this cancer could possibly metastasize to other parts of my body, and thus end my life. The former showing me how to live life with a chronic disease, while the latter giving me assurance that there is a paradise with Him following this tempestuous life.

In the semantic meaning of my blog’s name, A Life’s Walk with Cancer, not only does it truly describe the current state of my health, but the title also defines a new part of my existential experience as a man facing his own finite journey within this life’s human conditional state.

Intentional or not, “A Life’s Walk with Cancer” is a fitting name that indeed describes my life with cancer.

AJH

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• Clinical update: Three small masses have appeared recently within the frontal orbital area – one above the left eye and two over the right eye, near both lacrimal glands. I will be providing more information soon.

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THE “GREEN HULKSTER SMOOTHIE”

 

Mika Cross, a friend and community partner, joined me during my latest treatment on Friday, Sep. 6, 2019.

Throughout my cancer treatment, I often hear “Alex, you are looking good!” or “I can’t believe you have cancer!” And my typical response would be, “It’s better to look good than to feel good.”

I do enjoy the flattering comments and get a kick out of people’s response from my wonted “looking good” retort, but I have to give a shout-out to the amazing nutritional-packed “Hulkster-type” green smoothies that have helped me ride out five cancer treatment regiments since 2013.

Prior to my first surgery in November 2013, I purchased a Ninja blender and incorporated a variety of nutritional-packed smoothies to help stay strong and bear up against the negative side effects from chemo/immunotherapy treatments. While I’ve enjoyed most of my smoothie concoctions, there is one smoothie recipe that gives me the needed energy boost after each treatment. This green machine tops them all! And I christen this green smoothie as the “Green Hulkster Smoothie” (yes, I am a Marvel fan!).

 

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Alex’s “Green Hulkster Smoothie”

This recipe is nutrient-centric focused, so the taste can be described as drinking a yard-full of freshly cut grass. However, if you want a rich antioxidant nutrient drink, then this one is for you. For those who desire a tasty flavor, I would recommend clicking on “more green smoothie recipes” below.

• Prep time: 5 minutes
• Cook time: 0 minutes
• Recommended blender brands: Vitamix, Blendtec, Breville, KitchenAid, Ninja

Ingredients:

33.8 Fl Oz	Coconut Water
2 Cups	Fresh Greens (Spinach & Kale)
1/2 to 1 Cup (depend on your preference for thickness)	Almond milk
1 Cup	Frozen strawberries and blueberries
1 tablespoon	Flax seeds (ground)
4 tablespoons	Perfect Food (Super Green Formula)

Directions:

• First, empty the entire container of coconut water into a high-speed blender. Then, add your fresh greens and blend for about 30 seconds.
• Next, add the remaining ingredients (I would recommend adding the almond milk last). Then, blend the remaining ingredients until smooth.
• If the smoothie is too thick for you, feel free to add some water.

 

For more great green smoothie recipes: Simple Green Smoothies

Happy Drinking!

Cheers!

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• Clinical update: In October, I will undergo a PET Scan to see if there is any metabolic activity in the two remaining tumors. If the tests indicate low metabolic activity in cancer, my oncologist may give me a break after October. The current treatment is starting to impact me physically. 

 

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I've just purchased a juicer (Breville's Juice Fountain Cold XL) today. Now, both the juicer and blender maximizes my green drink arsenal!

My first high-speed blender was a Ninja brand (left). However, when I purchased the Vitamix about a year later, there was no comparison. The Vitamix proved to be the more superior appliance.