Tim, I’m so sorry you have to endure more but am so thankful that you had the blood test available to you for early detection. Saying prayers for your journey ahead 💙
Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal experience. As a physician-scientist, I think cancer recurrence is one of the most difficult moments in medicine, not only because of the biology of the disease, but because it fundamentally changes how patients experience uncertainty.
One aspect that often goes unspoken is that recurrence is not a reflection of something a patient did or didn’t do. Cancer is an evolutionary process. Even after successful treatment, microscopic populations of cells can persist, adapt, and eventually re-emerge despite receiving the best available care. Understanding that biology doesn’t make recurrence easier, but it helps shift the narrative away from self-blame.
I also think stories like yours remind us that oncology is about far more than imaging studies, biomarkers, or treatment protocols. It is about helping people navigate fear, hope, resilience, and the uncertainty that accompanies every scan and every follow-up appointment. Those human dimensions are just as important as the scientific ones.
At the same time, there is genuine reason for optimism. Advances in molecular profiling, circulating tumor DNA, immunotherapy, and precision oncology are transforming how we detect and treat recurrent disease. While we still have much to learn, the therapeutic landscape today is vastly different from what it was even a decade ago.
Thank you for your honesty. Sharing experiences like this really helps bridge the gap between the science of cancer and the lived reality of those facing it, reminding all of us in medicine what our work is ultimately about.
Thank you so much. I share to help other patients and I advocate to help researchers, pharma companies and practitioners realize how important the patient perspective is.
Yes, and this is why in Canada you can’t get these routinely and they’re not covered by our health system. Our Cancer centers do not use them for the reason that they can’t tell you what type of cancer you have, and so until they have more data that these prove to be helpful at reducing deaths from recurrences, I’m afraid that people will have to pay privately for them. I think I’d go a little stir crazy not having all the information.
Yes, I’ve heard other Americans say that about different drug companies. It’s $4500 CAD for the initial test and that’s a lot of money for one test. Apparently Natera doesn’t do this for Canadians.
My first response on your FB post was F*ck cancer - I stand by it… AND, I love you, and thank you for sharing this - and the gratitude portion - which I give you great credit for. It is indeed good news they found it early. I hope that means NED, again, will not be far behind. Thank you for your continued advocacy in the face of uncertainty. I know the Guardant Reveal gives me huge peace of mind every six months - I keep asking what will happen after five years when they kick me to the curb. Can I still get the Guardant? Because that is what I consider to be my failsafe. We are with you all the way, Tim! 💙💪🏻🙏
I’m so sorry that the test was positive but grateful that you are finding this out sooner! This is why advocacy is so important. Spreading the word about a new blood test that detects cancer sooner will increase the odds of survival. I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. You got this!💙
That's exactly what we are doing. I just had my normal 6 months scans about a month ago. Nothing showed on the CT from pelvis to thorax with contrast scan. So today, we are doing a CT of lungs with no contrast and MRI of pelvis and abdomen. On my clinic appointment on the 20th, we are going to discuss next steps. That will certainly mean scans every 3 months, but most likely every 2 until something shows up.
Oh, TIm. No words. We know you're strong and won't keep silent as you continue to share your journey. And we are so grateful, too, for your willingness to share openly, so all of us can learn from you, even as we support you. Stay strong, brother. XOXO
But let me share my story: I had tumor agnostic ctDNA testing about a year ago. Tumor agnostic as there wasn’t enough cancer left to biopsy. It declared me clear. But 3 months ago CT scans showed it was back. In retrospect my CA19-9 blood test was screaming that cancer was present all along.
I don’t tell you this to say don’t do ctDNA tests. Instead do every test you can.
It's important to know all the tools we have available to us and to take advantage of them. But just as important to not rely solely on one set of test data without looking at the entire picture.
Tim, I’m so sorry you have to endure more but am so thankful that you had the blood test available to you for early detection. Saying prayers for your journey ahead 💙
Thank you. Not what I was hoping for but grateful for the advances that allowed it to be caught before scans showed us anything.
Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal experience. As a physician-scientist, I think cancer recurrence is one of the most difficult moments in medicine, not only because of the biology of the disease, but because it fundamentally changes how patients experience uncertainty.
One aspect that often goes unspoken is that recurrence is not a reflection of something a patient did or didn’t do. Cancer is an evolutionary process. Even after successful treatment, microscopic populations of cells can persist, adapt, and eventually re-emerge despite receiving the best available care. Understanding that biology doesn’t make recurrence easier, but it helps shift the narrative away from self-blame.
I also think stories like yours remind us that oncology is about far more than imaging studies, biomarkers, or treatment protocols. It is about helping people navigate fear, hope, resilience, and the uncertainty that accompanies every scan and every follow-up appointment. Those human dimensions are just as important as the scientific ones.
At the same time, there is genuine reason for optimism. Advances in molecular profiling, circulating tumor DNA, immunotherapy, and precision oncology are transforming how we detect and treat recurrent disease. While we still have much to learn, the therapeutic landscape today is vastly different from what it was even a decade ago.
Thank you for your honesty. Sharing experiences like this really helps bridge the gap between the science of cancer and the lived reality of those facing it, reminding all of us in medicine what our work is ultimately about.
Thank you so much. I share to help other patients and I advocate to help researchers, pharma companies and practitioners realize how important the patient perspective is.
First, I’m glad you’ve caught it early. Second, can they tell what type of cancer it is from the DNA?
No. That's the thing with most ctDNA tests, you know you have cancer cells but don't necessarily know what type and certainly not where it's located.
Yes, and this is why in Canada you can’t get these routinely and they’re not covered by our health system. Our Cancer centers do not use them for the reason that they can’t tell you what type of cancer you have, and so until they have more data that these prove to be helpful at reducing deaths from recurrences, I’m afraid that people will have to pay privately for them. I think I’d go a little stir crazy not having all the information.
I'm not sure but contacting the company, at least in the states, if you can't get it covered, they pay for it.
Yes, I’ve heard other Americans say that about different drug companies. It’s $4500 CAD for the initial test and that’s a lot of money for one test. Apparently Natera doesn’t do this for Canadians.
Thanks so much for sharing this and your story, I am very grateful. Following you for more.
Thank you!
Triple negative breast cancer survivor here - my ctDNA (signatera) just came back ZERO.
That is wonderful
I am truly sorry you had to write this AMAZING post. Gratitude is a great attitude! Thinking of you.
My first response on your FB post was F*ck cancer - I stand by it… AND, I love you, and thank you for sharing this - and the gratitude portion - which I give you great credit for. It is indeed good news they found it early. I hope that means NED, again, will not be far behind. Thank you for your continued advocacy in the face of uncertainty. I know the Guardant Reveal gives me huge peace of mind every six months - I keep asking what will happen after five years when they kick me to the curb. Can I still get the Guardant? Because that is what I consider to be my failsafe. We are with you all the way, Tim! 💙💪🏻🙏
Thank you for your support. Love you both
I’m so sorry that the test was positive but grateful that you are finding this out sooner! This is why advocacy is so important. Spreading the word about a new blood test that detects cancer sooner will increase the odds of survival. I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. You got this!💙
Thank you so much.
My question though is, what do they do that's different? Bump the scans up?
That's exactly what we are doing. I just had my normal 6 months scans about a month ago. Nothing showed on the CT from pelvis to thorax with contrast scan. So today, we are doing a CT of lungs with no contrast and MRI of pelvis and abdomen. On my clinic appointment on the 20th, we are going to discuss next steps. That will certainly mean scans every 3 months, but most likely every 2 until something shows up.
Oh, TIm. No words. We know you're strong and won't keep silent as you continue to share your journey. And we are so grateful, too, for your willingness to share openly, so all of us can learn from you, even as we support you. Stay strong, brother. XOXO
KK
I strongly recommend ctDNA testing
But let me share my story: I had tumor agnostic ctDNA testing about a year ago. Tumor agnostic as there wasn’t enough cancer left to biopsy. It declared me clear. But 3 months ago CT scans showed it was back. In retrospect my CA19-9 blood test was screaming that cancer was present all along.
I don’t tell you this to say don’t do ctDNA tests. Instead do every test you can.
It's important to know all the tools we have available to us and to take advantage of them. But just as important to not rely solely on one set of test data without looking at the entire picture.