We are here in Durham, NC at a Springhill Suites hotel waiting to leave for our first Duke lab work and an appointment with medical oncologist and kidney cancer specialist, Dr. Dan George. One of our sons, Nicholas, is keeping the home fires burning. Callie Sprague (and, of course, Marquette McKnight) are taking care of things at the office, so we can fully and calmly (or, as calmly I can get โ which isn’t too calm, let’s be honest) evaluate the things we’ll be told after blood work and a couple of pulmonary function tests.
Here’s what I want to hear: “Mr. Venable, the cancer that has recurred in your adrenal gland and in your right kidney is not growing fast. You are a candidate for HD-IL2 therapy and we’ll start your therapy either Monday or Tuesday of next week.”
As I sit here writing this post, I’m reminded of how I felt late in May, 2009 when I was first diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma. I had a 5% chance of surviving for 5 years, according to the 10-year-old data I was reading on the internet. I was on edge, scared to death and terrified about what my future was going to be like.
Here, three and one-half years later, after some very painful and temporarily debilitating back surgery, we have great hope in the therapy that I’ll find out tomorrow whether I’ll be able to take. There are also other tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs that have come online that weren’t there when my diagnosis first occurred. This cancer is one of the ones where your goal is to survive long enough to live your way into new therapy options that might be able to afford a cure. I’m working on that as gracefully as I know how.
Despite the gruesome few months we have ahead if we’re fortunate to be able to challenge HD-IL2, I am not afraid and I am somewhat morbidly curious to personally experience what I’ve spent so much time reading about. Damn, how I’d love to be one of those lucky people who will post videos and write stories about the fact that they were a “complete responder.” I’ve already crafted a few turns of phrase to describe symptoms of the treatment. I visualize myself being there on the other side of this therapy, with a broken body but with the spirit of a warrior.
I can see myself on my front porch in Seale, with a still beautiful wife, an old dog and a gathering of children at my feet, all jockeying for a space to put a hand on Dixie’s graying head. I’m hearing he sounds of little boy and girl giggles at the prospect of a tractor ride through the woods. We’ll cut a cold watermelon when we get back to the house.
These images and more are at the forefront of my mind. They are not on the back burner. I don’t have time for any back-burner thought. We are willing this to happen in the most intense sort of way. As I prepare to leave the hotel and start the next phase of this journey, please see what I have just described in your mind for a few moments. Wish that for us and maybe, just maybe, it will be so.
Some of the posts that are to come are going to be technical, if we get accepted into the HD-IL2 therapy. If I get to do this like I plan, there may be multiple posts on some days. They will likely be short, so if you’re a subscriber, I hope I won’t bug you with multiple emails during the day. But that is why you subscribed, to get notifications of posts.
It is time to shower and put on my game face. We’re outta here!
ginny pierson says
Mike and Jill…definitely praying and definitely wanting as many updates as you feel like posting! you are certainly not alone in this journey and all of us who love you, and wish we could do more, benefit from your heart-felt writings. i said this in the beginning, and i will say it again…you have an army of warriors all around you who are battling for you! may we be a comfort and strength for y’all.
Dianne Henry says
Mike, I can see you and Jill on that porch with Dixie and kids and watermelon. Praying for you always.
Di and Johnny
Richard Illges says
Go get ’em hoss. Pulling hard for you
Ellen B. says
Mike and Jill, Praying for you both today and always! Mike, you Are a warrior!
Betsy Covington says
Go for it, baby! “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?โ You are sharing the good news of hope with so many people — even a lot of us who don’t have cancer but are inspired by the Full Life you lead, as well as the one you visualize. Me? I’m now visualizing taming Cut Bait with you, Jill, the Ricks & Marquette. Hurry up and get back to us!
Rick McKnight says
Mikey- I have got that scene firmly planted in my mind and the soundtrack that is running thru my head is the hymn “Fight the good fight, with all thy might.”
Gloria Dodds says
There is a whole team of us ready to fight the fight with you. We are with you all the way. Prayers are with both of you.
Wanda Farish says
Lifting you and Jill up for many, many tractor rides, cold watermelons, and lots of grandchildren! May you and Jill find strength and peace in our redeemer and healer, Jesus Christ, and in knowing so many love you both and are lifting you up daily.
Marianne says
I love your vision of the future. Fingers crossed for you!
Mark Venable says
Mike, I continue to marvel at your courage and fortitude in the midst of this great adversity. I’m praying for you. Your family here in Florida loves you, Mike.
Jan Venable Davenport says
I see ya, Grandpaw !!! Keep fighting…keep fighting, like only you know how….Love you, Cuz !
Virginia Pope says
Mike & Jill;
Know that dream will come true for you. Plan to be there to help you enjoy it.
Proud of you and Jill for inspiring all of us to enjoy life and be thankful for the many blessing of great relatives , friends and strength that comes from above.
Love you
Cindy & Neal
Ginger Bordlemay says
I have and will continue to pray for you and your family. You are incredibly strong and an inspiration to so many! Since as long as I can remember you have been such a special cousin to me. I have so many great memories of you and Eric, your mom and dad and all of our families getting together especially for Thanksgiving. Lots of playing ping pong, pool, singing church songs, laughter and of course lots of great southern food! The ride up from Florida for all of us in our very stylish station wagon was worth it! My mom adores you and you are so sweet to her. My dad loved you and loved hearing you say “hey Uncle Joe!” I love you Mike and I can see all those great things you are seeing for your future! The last time I was in Georgia we made the trip out to your beautiful home with all of our families there. You and Jill were a wonderful host and hostess. So…. my vision is for all of us to be there together again celebrating with you!!!!
Willa Ogletree says
That’s the Venable we all know and love the one with the Spirit of a Warrior. Take nothing from the demon, but giving all he has, to show him who has the all the hope, and especially all of the prayers on his side. I without a doubt know that you will get the help (treatment) that you need. And I can vision you, Jill the old dog, and some little feet running around on your beautiful southern front porch. When you cut that watermelon, don’t forget to have some good ole fried chicken first. Red and I are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers daily. Looking forward to your blogs. We are so glad you guys had a safe trip. My God Bless you and keep you safe.
Love ya
Sandy says
Mike you WILL be a candidate AND you WILL be cutting that cold watermelon for you’re grandbabies with their beautiful Grandma!! Will it be a John Deere tractor ride?? Hope so ๐ My husband Chuck was not a candidate for the hard stuff because of less than great kidney function in remaining kidney BUT he is kicking ass with the Votrient! Will be watching for mutiple emails to read of progress and cheer with you!
Prayers and Blessings to you all,
Sandy
Beth Joiner says
Mike, I have not made any comments to date on your amazing blog and story. You know I am with you and Jill every step of the way, and just KNOW that you are going to best this and keep all of your family, friends and admirers informed and inspired!! Keep your extraordinary spirits high, and reach for the stars! You already are one! With love, Beth
Judy Thomas says
Mike — When you get back and are ready, I’ll organize the watermelon seed spitting contest if you’ll provide the seeds! And tomorrow I’ll spend all day thinking of you and Jill and holding your hand from here. Love to you both!
Liz and Tom Kendrick says
Mike and Jill, we don’t post often but pray non-stop nonetheless. I’ve been asked to tell you that Beverly Suhr is “praying her brains out” as she put it. She was most adamant that I tell you exactly that, too, as you can imagine.
You are so loved by so many, but not nearly as much as God loves you, so you know that’s a whoppin’ lot. And because you know Him, you’ll be fine. We’ll all be on your journey with you, praying the boogey men away, as well as all the ill effects of your treatment. You WILL be the poster boy for HD-IL2 and it’s success. We love you and will continue to love you and pray you right through this obstacle. Keep the faith, baby.
Margie Ivey says
Fight, post and keep the faith! We’ll be waiting to hear…praying and thinking about you both.
Jane Bayer says
We are praying for you both!!
Andy Gunnels says
Mike, praying for you and your family as you take on this battle. Go for it. God’s speed.