Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
visits since Feb 2009
2010 Syracuse Heart Walk
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog! I will be using this blog as a place to document and share with others my experience with a very rare form of heart cancer. My name is Will McCaffrey and on October 12th, 2008, at age 29, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Cardiac Angiosarcoma, a very rare and aggressive type of heart cancer. I had a primary tumor in my right atrium (one of the chambers of my heart) and at diagnosis they found that the cancer spread to one of my T4 vertebrae and my sternum. They have since found other metastasis in my L2 vertebrae and on one of my lower ribs.
Since this cancer is so rare my primary treatment center is MD Anderson in Houston(I live in Syracuse, NY), but I am also receiving treatment from Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY. Initially I got my treatment at Dana Farber in Boston. Since my treatment is being coordinated between multiple different centers, I can say I am very lucky because I have two EXCELLENT oncologists (Dr. Scalzo in Syracuse, who manages my care locally and Dr. Ravi in Houston who specializes in my specific type of cancer).
I am currently on a chemo regimen consisting of Gemzar and Taxotiere, that I get weekly in Syracuse (started in March 2010). When I was diagnosed I spent about eight months on Taxol, which was very effective in shrinking my primary tumor. When that stopped working I started a nasty regimen called AIM (Adriamycin, Ifosfomide and Mesna) that consisted of a week in the hospital every three weeks (I had six of these treatments from July-November 2009). Once the AIM was done and the tumor stopped shrinking I was given an opportunity to have surgery and on December 22nd, 2009 I had the tumor removed by Dr. Michael Reardon at Methodist Hospital in Houston. The surgery was successful as they removed 100% of the tumor from my heart with clean margins. You can see the surgery here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgPl-z6V68o.
I love all of the comments that people have been leaving. I read everyone of them and I wish this site gave me the ability to respond, but it doesn't. If you want to email me directly use wmccaffr@gmail.com. One of the positive things that has come out of this has been catching up with all of the great friends I have made over the last 30 years, some that I haven't talked to in a long time. I have really enjoyed that and all the well wishes and prayers keep me going!
Since this cancer is so rare my primary treatment center is MD Anderson in Houston(I live in Syracuse, NY), but I am also receiving treatment from Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY. Initially I got my treatment at Dana Farber in Boston. Since my treatment is being coordinated between multiple different centers, I can say I am very lucky because I have two EXCELLENT oncologists (Dr. Scalzo in Syracuse, who manages my care locally and Dr. Ravi in Houston who specializes in my specific type of cancer).
I am currently on a chemo regimen consisting of Gemzar and Taxotiere, that I get weekly in Syracuse (started in March 2010). When I was diagnosed I spent about eight months on Taxol, which was very effective in shrinking my primary tumor. When that stopped working I started a nasty regimen called AIM (Adriamycin, Ifosfomide and Mesna) that consisted of a week in the hospital every three weeks (I had six of these treatments from July-November 2009). Once the AIM was done and the tumor stopped shrinking I was given an opportunity to have surgery and on December 22nd, 2009 I had the tumor removed by Dr. Michael Reardon at Methodist Hospital in Houston. The surgery was successful as they removed 100% of the tumor from my heart with clean margins. You can see the surgery here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgPl-z6V68o.
I love all of the comments that people have been leaving. I read everyone of them and I wish this site gave me the ability to respond, but it doesn't. If you want to email me directly use wmccaffr@gmail.com. One of the positive things that has come out of this has been catching up with all of the great friends I have made over the last 30 years, some that I haven't talked to in a long time. I have really enjoyed that and all the well wishes and prayers keep me going!
Posts
8 comments:
I love you sooo much! We are going to get through this. We will make it happen. I can't wait to make it to another game, so we can shout! I am proud to be your wife. I would not want to be anyone else's wife! You make me proud to be a McCaffrey. Your one and only true Baby Bear.
Hi Will!
Get home soon so I can give you your Bills poster! HA!
You don't want to stay in Boston too long with my team! :)
We all miss you and we will see you real soon!!
Megan (Youth Market)
Hi Will,
Get well and get back here you are missed.
I will keep you and you're family in my thoughts and prayers.
Hi Will and entourage,
Love the pics, especially you and Shana covered in snow at the game - you guys are a little nutty...
I'm thinking of you and visualizing you "in the light", as the Quakers believe. You're so strong, and have so much love to support you - I know you'll get through this difficult time and be back where you belong soon.
Love you,
Aunt Kate
Will, I like the picture of you on the rock.I think it is symbolic of you being surrounded by the love and support of many, many family members, friends and coworkers. The scene looks familiar to me. I think it looks like the distant bottom of the falls, a place where you spent some time as a kid. Would that "sovereign nation" actually be Buttermilk Falls in Long Lake?
Hi Will,
I'm so glad this blog has been set up so we can all be updated on your road to recovery. Our prayers are with you and Shana today and everyday you're away from home. We'll be thinking of you all the way through your treatments. Aunt Joan has been keeping us abreast through my mom. Love you and will be waiting for you to come home.
Love, Kelly & Troy
Will,
We wish you all the best in your treatment and recovery. Stay strong, stay positive. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Brian and Shana
Billy, My entire family is thinking about you and wishing you the best recovery. Im still in such shock, but my friend rest assure you will beat this. There are tons of people thinking about you and Im glad that this blog is here so we can see how you are doing. Will, take care and you are in my prayers......
Post a Comment