Fit For a Fight

I love athletics and have participated in various sporting events all my life.  As a highschooler, I was on the track and field, cricket, football (soccer), and table tennis teams.  I have never considered myself greatly skilled at any of them and I performed best as a cross country and middle distance athlete.  I never began seriously training for track and field until I was about 17 years old. In fact, for most sports I just played casually and showed up, but I loved to run. In football (soccer), I didn't juggle the ball with my feet or head as well as some could and my small, skinny stature made me less likely to maintain possession of the ball when tackled by bigger, stronger opponents, but good enough to represent my high school and play for my local amateur team in the island league. In cricket, I had the eye-hand coordination that was necessary to be average but since I did not spend a lot of time practicing, I never gained what it took to excel to a regional or national youth team.
So what was my secret? If you were as good as me, I'd win! If you were just slightly better than me, you'd lose! Why? Because I could run all day and would never give up. I was a pest on the pitch (or field, if you like the American terminology).  If winning required a final sprint, I would be dying before I gave up. So, you would need to be better than me, because you would likely not have the will to keep going as long as I would.  I had, what my classmates at school called "guts" to outlast you.  I'd die only after you did.
After moving to Orlando in 1993, I started running more frequently, completing eight Disney marathons and a half marathon. I didn't run or train extensively so my times were hohum but I never quit. In 2004, I started roadbiking with my son who had recently returned home from college. It was an opportunity for us to be active together. My riding buddies know that they can count on one thing - whether its a 20 miler of a 100 miler, I would only quit if forced to due to serious injury or illness.
I guess that it is just my DNA, because that philosophy extended to my academic career.  I encountered numerous set-backs while working on my dissertation research - lost data, failed equipment, accidental destruction of research materials. Although often deflated by the experiences, the only thing that I never considered was quitting.  That may not always be the wisest choice, but for me it always seems the only choice.
As in 2007 when I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, I now face the daunting future of another cancer diagnosis - angiosarcoma.
During World War II, British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill gave numerous speeches to rally the British people in the face of an advancing German army. One of his most famous included phrases that have been modified and used hundreds of times: "We shall never surrender...we shall never, never, never give up!"
On my recent trip to Trinidad and Tobago, I contracted a viral infection and developed symptoms of constant sneezing, a slight fever, and a cough that indicated a mild chest infection. More concerning, I also began to experience night sweats. I was scared. Scared that my night sweats were a sign of cancer metastasis and a bleak outlook.  By the time I returned to the US after an eight hour flight delay and lack of sleep, I was exhausted, scared, and depressed. For the first time, I felt like giving up - a feeling I had not experienced during my episode of cancer 10 years ago. After a long night's sleep that extended through the next, I felt stronger emotionally and physically. I now feel energized and ready for the fight. There are things in in life worth fighting for. I won't ever give up on my family. I won't ever give up on my marriage, and despite the many questions I sometimes have about religion, I will never give up on God.
Thanks to the hundreds of you who have expressed, in various ways, your love and support - thinking of me, praying for me, encouraging me, sending notes (please no memes) and even those silent, unspoken fears of what this may mean; and I can't omit my biking brothers who prayed for me on my last ride before my rescheduled surgery at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23. This I know! I plan to face this challenge the only way I know. To smile, and maybe cry and to display guts and courage. My goal is to return to good health; to return to join my friends riding for a long bike ride; to continue to bask in the love of my wife, children, and precious grandchildren. I will fight this setback the only way I know - I will never, never, ever give up!
Love and blessings!
Len

The Unsuspecting

I am facing another health challenge. On May 20, 2017, I visited a dermatologist to remove a nodule I believed to be remnants of a bike sore - the result of continual friction between skin tissue and fabric. After all, we road-bikers occasionally get these small annoyances after riding for long hours. The excised tissue was sent to the Florida Hospital Pathology lab for analysis.  Several weeks later, the dermatologist called to inform me of the results of the pathology test. "I am concerned about a Pathology report I have received about the nodule I removed a few weeks ago. The Pathology report indicates a positive test for angiosarcoma. I would recommend that you see an oncologist. Do you know one?" It seemed like a lot of information to absorb; but it had been only about 20 seconds since he had greeted me with "Mr. Archer, how are you?"  "Please fax me the report immediately and also send it to my oncologist," l responded, while providing him with my oncologist's contact information. "By the way, please also send a copy to my Primary Care Physician." On receipt of a copy of the report, I scanned it and emailed it to my wife and children.
I have been blessed with a wonderful family. My wife is the ultimate homemaker and caregiver. My son, a hospital executive, is thoughtful and analytical. My daughter, a lawyer, has an eye for the detail that many of us might miss along the way. Later that evening, as we met to discuss the next steps, we decided that we should have a second opinion, another Pathology review of the tissue.  Several days later, the second opinion, performed by Moffit Cancer, confirmed the first. It was described as epithelioid angiosarcoma, a cancer of the lining of the blood and lymph vessels.(http://sarcomahelp.org/angiosarcoma.html). Unsuspecting! (By the way, this is totally unrelated to my experience with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2007.) 
Whether there was metastasis or not, was at this time concerning as the cancer cells were too close to the margins of the incision. Suspicion loomed and a reexcision was recommended. My oncologist ordered a PET scan which appeared normal. Good news! A team was assembled to review my medical status and make the appropriate recommendations. The surgical oncologist and a radiation oncologist collaborated and came up with a treatment plan. Surgery (a wider excision) followed by radiation. 
An initial attempt of surgery was terminated due to complications during anesthesia. My trachea became extremely scarred, narrow, and warped during my radiation treatment in 2007. As a result, intubation during anesthesia is risky. In 2012, a failure to complete intubation during anesthesia resulted in a tracheotomy. My surgeon therefore decided to abort anesthesia and suspend surgery before the critical decision to perform a tracheotomy. 
After a life of relatively good health, with a fairly active lifestyle, this was an unexpected diagnosis and is a reminder of the tenuous nature of life on this planet. Although I had a normal PET scan, the risks are obvious, but the prognosis can be described as guarded to good. At this time, I am prepped for radiation and after a short time away visiting my parents in Tobago, I will make a decision regarding another attempt at surgery, or proceed with radiation only. My previous experience with cancer, notwithstanding, I am hopeful and I look forward to a rapid recuperation and full recovery. 

Love and blessings!

Len

Season's Greetings from the Archers - 2012

We pause before the end of another year to remember God’s precious gift to us, His Son! It is also the time to reminisce on the memories and blessings of 2012. My activities have been focused around work, family, and thankfulness for another year of good health.

I again participated in two 100 mile bike rides – the Tour de Cure in March and the Ride 4 Ronald in September – to raise money for two of my favorite charities, the American Diabetes Association and the Ronald McDonald House, respectively.

This year we suffered the loss of our 25 year-old nephew, Tarek Saleh. What a wonderful young man he was, and what a tragic loss! An inspiration to all of us and especially to his cousins, his memory will ever live in our hearts. Nichole had the privilege of travelling to Guyana, for the first time in many years, to spend some time with her mother and brother.

We are blessed to see our grandsons, Chris and Caleb, grow up. Christopher (almost 10) is now in 4th grade and Caleb (4) is overjoyed to be in “big boy” school, entering pre-kindergarten this summer. Nicholas remains busy with work at Florida Hospital Celebration Health and our daughter-in-law, Erin enjoys teaching her 3rd grade class at FLEC. Lilly, and her husband, Jason are still in Waco, Texas. Earlier this year Lilly joined The Law Offices of Vic Feazell, PC and Jason drew closer to completing his PhD at Baylor University when he successfully completed his comprehensive exams, with only his dissertation to be completed.

One major highlight of the year was when Nichole and I, in August 2012, joined thousands of alumni in Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the University of the Southern Caribbean (formerly CUC).

We wish you and your family the joys of the Christmas season and God’s richest blessings for 2013.

Love and Blessings,

Len and Nichole

Christmas Greetings, 2011

As we approach the end of 2011, I take this opportunity to express my thankfulness to God for all the blessings he has granted to me and my family and to thank you for your continued love, friendship, and prayers. I am grateful to God for good health. Despite the tough economic times, I thank God for providing for us, protecting us and continuing to nurture us.

On May 1, I took a new position as the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration at Florida Hospital College. As an expression of praise for a return to good health, I have dedicated some of my time to raising money for the American Diabetes Association and the Ronald McDonald House Charities by riding in the 100ml Tour de Cure and the 100 ml Ride for Ronald respectively. Nichole enjoys the blessings of staying at home and taking care of our precious grandson, Caleb and being the wonderful homemaker that she is. Having our son, Nicholas and daughter-in-law, Erin nearby gives us the privilege of seeing our grandsons, Christopher (almost 9 and in the 3rd grade) and Caleb (now 3 ½), grow up before our eyes. Lilly and her husband, Jason remain in Waco, Texas as Jason completes his PhD at Baylor University.

We look forward to the returning to Trinidad and Tobago in August 2012 to join with many of you, alumni and friends of the University of the Southern Caribbean (formerly CUC), to celebrate the college’s 85th anniversary.

Please continue to pray for us, as will for you. We wish you and your family the joys of the Christmas season and God’s richest blessings for 2012.

Len and Nichole