Hi, Welcome to
Adventures With Cancer

I'm a lucky guy. Yes, I have cancer.s But I've learned to appreciate everything around me so much more. I have a friend who once told me that "cancer is a gift wrapped in barbed wire" and it is true. I have learned so much, and am a better and happier person now then I was before.

I have two cancers, advanced PNET (Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor) and Kidney Cancer (Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma). I am very lucky in that my symptoms are very light.

Neither cancer will ever stop me from living life's adventures!

My Blog Posts

Singing in the RAIN

Not sure why, but lately sleep has been more of an issue. It could be the fact that I am taking more on at work (I've been here a year!), the radiation, the weather, who knows. But whatever it is, I don't love it. I fall asleep pretty easily. I usually meditate at night (I know, i know, but it helps me) and don't have a problem drifting off. But, I am waking up more. And not only am I waking up more, but now I wake up with what we affectionately call "monkey mind", where my m

16 hours ago2 min read

What did I learn at NANETs 2025?

Note: NANETs is the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society for oncologists and surgeons that specialize in NETs. About 6 months ago, I got the NANETs newsletter that was asking for abstracts to present at their annual symposium this weekend (10/23-10/25) in Austin, Tx. At the time, I had 5 minutes to spare and decided to send a speaking idea about how patients with NETs are using AI in their care. Now, NANETs is NOT for patients. It's for medical oncologists, surgeons, r

Oct 263 min read

This or that: Thoughts from the Kippur 2025

Unfortunately, my Yom Kippur walk in the woods (WITW) tradition is slightly delayed this year. I had my 2nd radiation treatment on last...

Oct 23 min read

Yes, I have an ego!

NETRF, one of the premier organizations in the Neuroendocrine Tumor world, just put out an interview with me in their latest newsletter....

Sep 251 min read

A walk in the woods

Welcome to this week's hodge podge of a post. I don't really have a topic or a theme, but I needed to write so here I go. First, a health...

Sep 132 min read

and then (hopefully), superpowers

Radiation starts for me this Friday. First, let me explain the radiation. Then I will explain my feelings. The radiation treatment is...

Jul 292 min read

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My Timeline

July 1, 2022 - Diagnosis dates for PNET and Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (diagnosed at Providence St Vincent In Portland OR while admitted for Hepatic Encelapathy and Internal Bleeding)
July 26, 2022 - First appointment with Dr. Guillaume Pegna, my NET specialist and Medical Oncologist at OHSU
August 4, 2022 - First day of the first round of chemo - CapTem protocol
November 7, 2022 - First appointment with Dr. Rod Pommier, my NETS surgeon - one of the godfathers of NETS surgery
February 27, 2023 - Taken off of CapTem protocol after 7 rounds due to low platelet counts
March 3, 2023 - CT Scans showed small tumor growth but raised concerns about a nodule in my left lung (had been there for a while but on this scan the radiologist raised an alarm)
March 8, 2023 - First Octreotide shot in my butt - used to stabilize NET tumors and stop the growth
March 10, 2023 - Met Dr. Michael Kilbourne, Thoracic Surgeon - Ordered a PET Scan and Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) for March 17
March 20, 2023 - PET Scan showed the same for the lung so the decision made to remove the nodule via a VATS Wedge Resection procedure (and confirm a diagnosis during surgery)
April 19, 2023 - VATS Surgery on the left lung - Nodule was benign (yay!)
June 9, 2023 - Liver surgery. Removal of the left lobe of my liver and 17 tumors from the right lobe and my gall bladder
August 4, 2023 - Restart shots of Octreotide to help stabilize my tumors (trying to get Lanreotide but having to work through insurance to do it)
Current - Scans every 3-4 months including an MRI on my pelvis and abdomen and a CT of my chest. Right now treatment is Lanreotide injection every 28 days
August 6, 2025 - Began PRRT, targeted radiation for NETs. As of today, 10/21/25, I have had two treatments and will have two more, once every eight weeks

Favorite Quotes

Great things never came from comfort zones - Anonymous
You haven't come this far to come this far - Anonymous
Cancer is a gift wrapped in barbed wire - John Saultz
I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it's been - Wayne Gretzky
80% of life is showing up - Woody Allen (?)
If I'd have listened to what other people wanted I would've invented a faster horse (Maybe Henry Ford - not my favorite human but I do like the quote)
Every storm runs out of rain - Maya Angelou
God I'm a dancer, and a dancer dances - A Chorus Line (Greatest musical ever? I think so!)
If you know the answer, ask bigger questions - No idea who said it but saw it at OHSU and liked it a lot!
This experience has taught me that life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning to dance in the rain - NEC Bill
Don't let someone who has never been in your shoes tell you how to tie your laces - Anonymous