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

The Meaning of Birthdays

Birthdays are important days.[1]  At least that’s what most people think.  As a child, my birthday was rewarded with a special meal from my mother – maybe my favorite, and sometimes a special homemade birthday cake.  Mama, my grandmother, would often prepare something special as well, and invite me over.  There were no parties, cards, special gifts or toys.  That would be for Christmas.  But even then, the best thing about birthdays was that the food was especially good.  Growing up in a poor family on the Caribbean island of Tobago, life was centered on hard work, diligence in our studies at school, and faith in God.  But at birthday time, we received the reinforcement that we were special, we were loved and God loved us.

As I grew older, birthdays became ho hum. I carried on with the busy events of making a living, raising a family, and accepted the ubiquitous “Happy birthday, Len!” greetings unemotionally.  There were more gifts and cards, but I accepted birthdays as just another sign of growing older – another notch on the chronological pole.   But something happened in 2007.  I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer – a bolt out of the blue.  For a person who enjoyed remarkably good health, I often regarded the gift of life as a just reward for my religious moorings, living a fairly healthy lifestyle, and staying out of trouble.  I was the one who exercised relatively, had good eating habits and regular exercise, and one who never drank alcohol or smoked, I was a statistical outlier.  But illnesses don’t always follow the statistical lines.  That isn’t to say that healthy habits are to be avoided.  However, after a very difficult experience through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, I have returned to good health. Despite the ill effects of radiation and chemo, I am back to normal health doing most of the things I enjoy.

So how has life changed?  Birthdays are celebrations of life and living.  Gifts and parties don’t really matter as much, and I don’t really care if anyone forgets (or remembers) my birthday.  But most of the people I know remember and celebrate with me.  Living through the difficult days of treatment and recovery has created a special shrine of hope that is worthy of a celebration of smiles, high fives and reminiscences.  It was a journey I took with my wife and children, my parents and siblings, and some special friends who walked the dark way with me.  So birthdays are special in a way no other day is special.  It reminds me that life is a gift. It is a gift meant to be shared with those I love and everyone else.  It is an opportunity to treasure the many blessings of life that I previously took for granted.  Since my return to health I have devoted my hobby of road biking to raising money for the American Diabetes Association’s fight for a cure of diabetes, a devastating metabolic disease that affects increasingly millions of people.  The 100 mile ride on March 17, 2013 will be my third Tour de Cure.  Over the last three years, my friends have supported my efforts by donating over $10,000 towards this cause, but nothing gives me greater pleasure than my heart’s smile as I pedal along knowing that the lease of life I now enjoy is a privilege far beyond words.  Life is to be enjoyed to the fullest and time to be spent sharing with others, enjoying the grand children, smelling the cut grass, watching the clouds drift by, or marveling at the limitless blue sky.  Every year, March 1 reminds me that life is special gift.

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[1] This post is dedicated to my wife, Nichole, the love of my life; my two children, Lilly and Nicholas and their spouses; my two grandsons, Chris and Caleb; and my loving parents, Henry and Millicent Archer, 95 and 91 respectively, who taught me what true living is all about.

 

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

Season’s Greetings
from
The Archers
December 2008
As another year-end approaches, it provides the opportunity to reflect on the blessings and challenges of the past year and to share with you, our dear friends, a summary of our activities and God’s goodness to us. After the trials of 2007, battling cancer and the effects of the numerous radiation and chemotherapy treatments, this year was indeed a blessing – recovery, increased strength and energy, and an almost full return to work, exercise and other physical activity. Several PET and CT scans have confirmed the absence of cancer though tissues of the pharynx remain inflamed and swollen. The loving healing hand of God vividly evident to me!

This year we were blessed with the gift of another grandson. Nick and his wife, Erin, welcomed Caleb Nicholas on August 22 – one day after our 31st wedding anniversary - and seems to have inherited his paternal grandmother's green eyes. Proud big brother, Christopher is almost six years old and is happy to be in school with “the big boys.” Nicholas is continuing to enjoy his profession, serving as the Finance Manager of Florida Hospital – Celebration Health and Erin has returned to Altamonte Springs Elementary school after some much appreciated time at home with baby Caleb.

Lilly is about to begin her final semester at Florida A & M University School of Law and is anxiously looking forward to her law career after graduation in May and bar exams in July. Along with her Masters degree in Public Health, she hopes that she will be well prepared for a successful career. This past summer she completed an internship in the legal department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Along with her brother, sister-in-law, Erin and a few other college friends she leads a vocal ensemble, Made to Worship and served as a panelist on several editions of Hope Sabbath School, periodically aired on Hope TV.

Nichole is doing well, her motherly instincts so vital in doing what she loves most– taking care of us all. The occasional opportunity to use her culinary talents catering for local events certainly keeps her happy. She also enjoys her at home job with Florida Hospital that provides the opportunity to be Caleb’s babysitter. I, on the other hand, have enjoyment of frequently taking Chris to and from school. Grand-parenting is surely a lot of fun. Our family is indeed thankful for the numerous blessings God has provided – improving health, stable employment opportunities and children and grandchildren to dote over. Blessings indeed!

The joys of Christmas and the anticipation of the New Year bring hope, strengthens our faith, and renews the promise of our Saviour. We celebrate his birth and look forward to his return.

Thanks for your love, friendship and prayers over the years, and especially over the last 18 months. Our family wishes yours a joyous Christmas season and God’s richest blessings for the year, 2009.

With our love,

Len, Nichole, Lenis, Nicholas, Erin, Christopher and Caleb