So a lot has happened since I last posted here. In March of this year I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Three weeks after my diagnosis I underwent surgery to remove the cancer. Luckily, the testing indicated that the cancer had not spread. However as the cancer is a very malignant type the recommendation was chemotherapy and radiation.
playing capoeira 8 weeks after surgery in Orlando, FL
Concerned with my quality of life and my ability to continue teaching and playing capoeira, I researched carefully the benefits and dangers of chemotherapy. I have been convinced by doctors and more importantly family that my best chance for preventing the cancer's return is to begin aggressive chemotherapy. Thanks to my sister Catharine, I have been able to come to Rochester, MN for the summer to receive my treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Just yesterday I began the process by having a port surgically inserted under my skin. This will be used to administer the chemotherapy more effectively.
port used to administer chemo
In researching how chemotherapy will affect my ability to train capoeira, I was unable to find anything posted online. For this reason I have decided to post here about my experiences in the hope that in the future someone will find this helpful. I am a very private person, but having a very public persona as a professor of capoeira means that others may wish to follow my story. All I can report so far is that the surgery to implant the port was fairly simple. There is pain and discomfort afterwards, but no need for pain medication.
I begin chemotherapy treatments next week after a cross country road trip with my son. I'm hoping to continue teaching and training capoeira as much as possible. #capoeirastrong #superação
Respect irmão
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