JWT - Volume XXXV
Joe’s Wolfpack Trailblazers
April/May 2023
Joe Bullock
Durham, NC
Stage IIIB colorectal cancer survivor
Cancer advocate
I have been on this journey in what I have learned to be ‘Cancerland’ for the last 5 years. It’s definitely not an amusement park that anyone wants to visit. For me personally it has been one emotional roller coaster after another and I hate those rides. I do have those moments that I go from feeling good about my status of being no evidence of disease from stage 3b colorectal cancer to then feeling the emotional guilt about my survivorship from the cancer itself.
It’s like an extended ride on the bumper cars which was always my favorite amusement ride as a kid. I do my best to try and live between those bumps a majority of the time. There are times I question if I should be in this space at all. Then I had an event happen a couple of weeks ago that reminded me I am exactly where I belong.
I went to visit with my friend and fellow Wolfpack brother Jason Reiss, doing what he seems to enjoy first and foremost in his life. Being a cancer patient was never supposed to be in the picture for him but that is true for any of us that have been touched by this disease. Before cancer creeped into his life Jason was a successful photojournalist and it was a big part of his identity. Unfortunately Jason, like most cancer patients, was railroaded by this disease. Everything he had worked for in his life had come to a complete halt as he battled stage IV colorectal cancer. But it didn’t prevent him from working his way back to where he longed to be. For Jason, that is behind the camera.
When I arrived at the race track that day where Jason had been working for the week, I wasn't sure what to expect but what I found was a master at work. Jason was running up and down that race track trying to get the best pictures of those race cars possible from the event. For Jason, because of his cancer, I don’t think his body was equipped for the workload but you could tell his spirit had carried him through that week. As he shared with me about the work he had done those last few days, I just watched him smile from ear to ear as he walked away to grab a few more photos from the race. At that moment I shed a few tears because I knew what he had been through those last few months since being diagnosed with cancer.
Jason Reiss and Joe Bullock
Jason Reiss
They were not tears of sadness or sympathy but of happiness for him. It had been awhile since he had been able to go back to work. I think the pure joy of doing what he loved surpassed any pain he might have felt that day because of his cancer. For Jason those few days at work meant cancer was not a part of the picture for a time but in reality it was always with him. This is something many of the men of The Howling Place group long for in their battle with cancer. To be given the opportunity to regain some of the identity that cancer tried to take away from them and to recapture something lost that this disease had tried to take away. It’s a very common struggle for the men of the group and is spoken about often in our group zoom meetings.
When I left Jason that day I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be at that moment. I have no doubt that my life has led me in this direction as an advocate for men in the cancer space. I have been given so many opportunities to share in the cancer journeys of the men who are members of The Howling Place Group, which is Man Up to Cancer’s Facebook group for men battling cancer or men who are caring for someone with cancer. I am continually grateful to Trevor Maxwell for inviting me on this mission with him that no man should fight cancer alone. It’s helped me to personally gain perspective and have direction in my life as a cancer survivor.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to spend time with Jason Reiss at the racetrack this month. It's one of the many #WolfpackMeetUps that is occurring on a regular basis within The Howling Place group. We have many regional MUTC Chapters where the men are meeting up from the group to watch a game, share a meal, and fellowship. If you join the Howling Place Group reach out to our MUTC Chapters Director Don Helgeson by emailing him at don@manuptocancer.com. He can connect you to one of our many regional MUTC chapters that are being developed globally.
This month I present to you these ‘Trailblazers’: Cory Mclntyre, Tim Monds, and Daniel Moisanen. Each of their cancer types might be different but the emotional trauma they have been through because of the disease is the same. It’s the sole mission of Man Up To Cancer that no man should have to fight cancer alone. There are 2100 men of the Howling Place Group that are blazing a trail of their own each day. They have chosen not to go it alone but to have an open heart and a warrior spirit toward the other men of the group. If you are a man facing a cancer diagnosis or a man caring for someone with cancer. Join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/manuptocancer. The Wolfpack Doors are always open.
— Joe Bullock, lead administrator, Man Up to Cancer - The Howling Place (Also known as The Wolfpack)
Cory and Melissa McIntyre
Cory Mclntyre
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Stage IV Colorectal Cancer
I wanted to take a moment, likely a large one, to speak about what's going on with my family and I. I'd like to begin this by saying that I don't publicly speak, and I'm not great with words, so please be gentle.
As everyone likely already knows, as our close friends and family have been informed, and from there it's understandably gotten out from there, I have recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Specifically speaking, stage 4 colon cancer, which has metastasized.
I want to talk about how this happened. I want to say firstly, up until Christmas, no symptoms. I was healthy, going out with my family, and working. Going to the gym 5x a week, and in the best shape of my life. Around Christmas I noticed I was low on appetite and not eating. I was asking for tests from my healthcare professional, but was getting rejected as I was "a healthy young man, and there was no reason to test for anything". I asked for 2 or more years, nothing. I decided to go to the emergency, where they ran tests and gave me the news.
From here the hospital whisked me off. Immediately I was put in contact with BC Cancer, with all the right doctors. I'm not saying it was streamlined, or by ANY means perfect. But they've got one right by me, and all the staff have been amazing. In a month I've gone from 0 healthcare required, to 3 procedures, and almost 2 weeks in the hospital. I also have a needle phobia. So all the initial tests, as well as my new procedures have been a nightmare for me.
I want to start all of this by thanking my wife Melissa McIntyre. Above everyone, I need you to know you have been my rock in a situation that above anyone, you don't deserve. Words don't do justice my love, to what you've gone through. You've kept me sane, pushed me through the things I just never thought I could manage. The list of things you've done to keep our family and I in one piece. I can't say enough here to praise you enough. I just want the community, and anyone who sees this to know how amazing my wife is. I definitely married up.
I want to take a moment and say that to my friends and family, you have been amazing. I've had so much help from you all, words can't do you all enough justice. From helping with our home, to assisting with the kids, to reaching out and making sure I'm okay ( and understanding when I don't get back right away ). The Gofundme that was opened for my situation by Tasha Carter, all the news coverage, and the community coming together for a man they don't know. I CANNOT say thank you enough to you all. This has been a whirlwind for me the last month. Life will never be the same. I'm sure I missed something above support wise. If I did, I want you to know it was unintentional, and you have my gratitude.
Tony Yee. I want to make a special shoutout to my employer who stepped up in a way I never expected. I don't want to go into details as I don't think that's appropriate. However Tony, if you could pass that on for me. Just let them know how much I miss you all, the job, and how much the support both official and unofficial has been appreciated, that would be amazing.
In conclusion, after all that, I just want to say you need to get tested. If you're a young adult, advocate for yourself. The healthcare system won't push you to get a blood test. Even though fear of healthcare in my opinion is a mental health issue that our healthcare system should be treating. You need to catch these things early, because nobody else will. There's a saying, choose your hard. A relatively painless poke now, or what I get to deal with later. Choose your hard. Get checked, and don't take no for an answer. Youth won't stop cancer or any other health issue for that matter. Thank you again to those who I mentioned above, hopefully I didn't miss too many people or insult anyone, and that I've answered some questions, brought my situation to light. And maybe my warnings might save a life. Thank you for taking the time to read.
Tim Monds
Tim Monds
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
Stage IV Lung Cancer Patient/Survivor
In the spring of 2016, at the age of 57, I was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer. Prior to that I had been having chest pain and pain in my left shoulder. I also had recurrent bronchial pneumonia for probably 20 years with various lung issues. The chest pain was so bad in April of 2016; I thought I was having a heart attack, so I went to the hospital. An X-ray was performed and a nodule was discovered. I was then sent for a CT scan and the results indicated it was likely lung cancer. I have never smoked a day in my life.
At that point, I went through the process of trying to see a specialist. By mid-May, I had a PET scan and then met my amazing surgeon. I had an upper left lobectomy on June 29, 2016 and more testing was carried out to see if it had spread to my lymph nodes. It had not. Because there was no lymph node infiltration, it was decided chemotherapy was not necessary at that point. I recovered well and we believed the cancer would not come back. So, I went back to work within six and a half weeks, and for two years I had a CT scan every three months. The results always came back good, no sign of cancer.
I retired at the end of May 2018 as a School Superintendent. Three weeks after I retired, I went to see my surgeon who reviewed my CT scan. The cancer had come back and there were now eleven new nodules in my lungs. Three months later I had another surgery, a wedge resection to see if it was cancer and to confirm if it had metastasized. My non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) had spread to the other lobes. It was now stage 4 NSCLC. To allow for recovery, I waited three months before I could see an oncologist and develop a management plan. Due to the small size of the nodules the decision was made to wait and see if they grew larger. I have been fortunate that the nodules have been growing slowly. Recently the nodules grew larger and additional nodules have been found. Further biomarker testing showed a high PDL1 expression. I also have the RET biomarker. I have been on immunotherapy with Keytruda
(pembrolizumab) since March 18th/2021. Two years of immunotherapy is coming to a close…now for my immune system to continue to fight it!
In 2019, I met with my surgeon to discuss my plan to organize a walk/run with my family and raise awareness about lung cancer. Our family began Give A Breath in 2019 in Edmonton, a 5 km walk/run. In 2019, the first year, the event was in person and in 2020 it was held virtually because of the pandemic, www.giveabreath5k.com . We are now partnered with Lung Cancer Canada, moving Give a Breath officially now to a National Level in Canada for the fifth year of Give a Breath! To date, we have raised over $200,000 for early detection research, Thoracic equipment and supporting Airways of Hope for Lung Cancer patients in Canada.
I was part of the campaign “Stop Asking the Wrong question” … Did I smoke? I work with various groups including Lung Cancer Canada and the Lung Health Foundation to advocate and raise awareness about lung cancer. I am also a board member with Evict Radon National Research out of the University of Calgary; my wife Patty and I did a commercial for Alberta Cancer for the Cash and Cars fundraiser; and I volunteer with Alberta Cancer with a research project (PaCES) at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Lung cancer patients (all cancer patients) needed to be high on the prioritization list for the COVID-19 vaccine, so I advocated for lung cancer patients to have the COVID-19 vaccine. I have been on Global Edmonton sharing Give a Breath and raising awareness for Lung Cancer.
I have spoke at the Evening of Hope for Lung Cancer and been on a panel with the Lung Health Foundation; worked with pharmaceutical companies providing a Lung Cancer patient perspective. Most recently I have been the patient advisor for Alberta Health Services for the pilot project for early detection screening for lung cancer. I continue to become involved in numerous advocacy initiatives locally and nationally.
In the last few years prior to the pandemic, my wife and I traveled and spent time with my family and friends. The COVID-19 pandemic was difficult for our family. We have four children, two grandchildren, and we were fortunate to share memories using zoom. Exciting to be back with our family in person now!
I am blessed to have an amazing wife; Patty is so supportive. Also blessed to have four wonderful children and their families. I look forward to spending many years with my family, as a father and a papa with our grandkids, time with friends and lots of travel. Never losing hope, I believe is so important for all of us!
I plan to beat this cancer. April 2023, will be the seven year mark since my Lung Cancer was first discovered. However, it took a few months to confirm and then have a left upper lobectomy. Two years of stage 1 and five years of stage 4. I'm very optimistic! I truly believe we can make a difference and raise awareness and ensure lung cancer has a high success rate in time. Lung cancer takes more lives than Breast, Colon and Prostate cancers put together, yet receives significantly less funding. Now is the time to make a difference!
My advice for lung cancer patients is to never lose hope. Find support and connections with lung cancer patients. Ask questions and educate yourself. Don't look at the survival rates, just know that there is hope because of the new advances with immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Cherish each day! “If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you’d never think a negative thought again!” Enjoy each day, each moment, and stay positive. We got this!
Daniel Moisanen
Daniel Moisanen
Aberdeen, Washington
Stage III Testicular Cancer
Hi my name is Daniel Moisanen. On July 2nd 2019, I went to the ER because Ol’ Righty didn’t look normal. I remember the Ultrasound technician coming in and I said to my wife “we will find out if it’s a boy or a girl.” The second I saw images on the screen, I was terrified. The images I was seeing on the screen are referred to as “Starry night”.
Just one very long week later, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Testicular cancer. My urologist said that I had cancer and the world went black. Just a few days later I had a unilateral orchiectomy and started using synthetic testosterone to try and stay regulated. I had a power port installed in late August or early September. I lost my job two weeks before I started chemo. By October 2019, my AFP (alpha fetoprotein) was 436. My cancer was upgraded to Stage 3 and I was given a 30% chance of survival. My oncologist recommended starting chemo ASAP. November 4th, 2019 I started my first round of 3 cycles each. Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin. I was treated at Skagit Regional Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington
I finished my first 4 rounds and my numbers were dropping slowly. I went in for a routine scan in January 2020 and they discovered a mass in my heart. I spent 3 days in the hospital on a slow Heparin drip. In March of 2020, my oncologist noticed my numbers going up. On March 13th, I was told I had to undergo more chemo. On March 17th 2020, I turned 33 years old. On March 23rd the state of Washington issued its stay at home order.
My wife Allison has been my biggest supporter since day 1. She quit her job to make sure I had EVERYTHING I could possibly need. I've told her more times than I can count, that if it hadn’t been for her, I would not be alive today. She's my rock, and I'm eternally grateful for her. I met her working in Alaska in the summer of 2015, and my world has been brighter since the first day I met her.
In July 2020 I started my 5th round of Chemotherapy. I was admitted to University of Washington Montlake Campus once a week for 3 months. Since we were in the heart of covid, my wife couldn’t stay in the hospital with me, so each treatment cycle was very lonely.
I did the last of my 7 total chemo cycles in September of 2020 and I'm not in remission as of yet. The cancer is gone but I have to hit 5 years without anything to call it remission. I'm in year 3 of surveillance for my cancer
That however was not the end of my journey. In January of 2021, I had open heart surgery to remove the mass that was in my heart. It was also decided that I should get a Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy (RPLND) and have all the lymph nodes in my stomach, lower back, groin and abdomen removed. This was to ensure that if it came back, it couldn’t move around my body.
I'm better now and I have a 23.5 inch scar down my chest that people constantly ask about when they see it. I found Man up to Cancer just recently and already I can feel that I'm in a place of friendship and support.