Seems like this should remain front page status until he's on the mend or at least stable in some sense of the word. Hang in there Tommy!
Seems like this should remain front page status until he's on the mend or at least stable in some sense of the word. Hang in there Tommy!
I worked in a hemepath lab at a large, well-known hospital. Rare conditions are challenging to diagnose. This probably required a specialist's opinion.
It was a fascinating job, but Cancer, everyday. The good news is that the new frontier of targeted gene therapies is promising in some areas. I'm not sure if there are any clinical trials for this specific disease, but here's hoping for someone this tough to pull off a miracle.
I work at FMC, including in the ICUs- they are all run by intensivists. Yes, we’re a smaller regional hospital, but also a level I trauma center tied with University Medical Center in PHX as the number 2 hospital in the state. Don’t make assumptions about places you have no familiarity with. My prayers go out to Tommy and his loved ones.
I know not to expect health updates every single day, but am hoping to keep Tommy's situation on our radar so that those who are inclined to pray have this thread as a reminder. Godspeed Tommy.
Since you want to push that notion...
We are all behind you. Sending prayers to the Rivs family. Fight on champ!
I'm curious if running had any role in this ? Being lungs and all.
Lymphoma is basically a form of blood cancer. This particular has spread to his lungs. Unlikely running has anything to do with it.
Way too much running in these times is probably not a good idea. This guy looks like a mileage workhorse.
Devastating development with his diagnosis. I was hopeful it was some type of pneumonia...fungal was on my differential.
Unfortunately there is extremely limited information on this particular disease. The nasal subtype is actually quite common in Asia. The pulmonary subtype(primary pulmonary NK/T-cell) which he has appears to be uniquely devastating, and extremely rare. A recent literature review could only find 10 cases worldwide. 1 of the 10 survived, and it sounds like that one was caught very early. From the sound of it Rivs' is quite advanced. Either way 10 patients total tells us we know very, very little about the disease overall.
If anyone has a chance it's a young, healthy, fit athlete.
Hoping to hear an update with some good news.
Not to be insensitive but is it likely he had this cancer when he made those OTQ attempts?
BoA wrote:
Way too much running in these times is probably not a good idea. This guy looks like a mileage workhorse.
What? Do you have proof that everyone who has been diagnosed with this rare form of cancer ran high mileage? What a silly thing to say.
I wondered the same thing. Even after it was stated he tested negative for COVID, people on social media continued to say he had COVID or "COVID like" illness. I certainly hope doctors aren't just assuming everyone sick with respiratory symptoms have COVID, even after a negative test.
This cancer does have a potential etiology of EBV. Given his extreme running (and the cancer's complete rarity in general and in particular in non-Asian patients), it is perhaps not totally crazy to speculate about a role for running (and immunosuppression) in the pathogenesis. Maybe it played no role at all. Maybe some. I'm aware of the research on aerobic activity and the immune system (mostly that it's highly beneficial, promotes immune surveillance, etc), but extreme runs in extreme conditions...well, who knows.
CuriousFella wrote:
I'm curious if running had any role in this ? Being lungs and all.
It looks like this cancer is pretty strongly linked to Epstein-Barr Virus
ATEA4RE wrote:
This cancer does have a potential etiology of EBV. Given his extreme running (and the cancer's complete rarity in general and in particular in non-Asian patients), it is perhaps not totally crazy to speculate about a role for running (and immunosuppression) in the pathogenesis. Maybe it played no role at all. Maybe some. I'm aware of the research on aerobic activity and the immune system (mostly that it's highly beneficial, promotes immune surveillance, etc), but extreme runs in extreme conditions...well, who knows.
Whether or not extreme running was a co-factor or not, clearly he caught a bad break. Similar story with tattoos - there is limited research that shows there may be some carcinogenic risk associated with extensive tattoos (nothing tied to this sort of cancer that I know of), but plenty of people have big tattoos and are fine.
Figuring out all the particular risk factors can give a little insight from a statistical sense, but with a cancer this rare, pinning down the real source is tough.
I've seen friends and family fight aggressive cancers in their 30's and 40's, and it is a fight I wouldn't wish on anyone. Hoping for the best for Tommy.
See username.
Just came across this thread, and have to say, this is a real low, even by LR standards. Most of you who replied with vile drivel here have never met the guy, or know him one iota. And without even knowing the diagnosis, you ridicule him. What the f*ck is wrong with your a$$holes?!? Why don’t you take the time to read up on his background, and see all that he’s accomplished, both in and outside the running arena?
And now he’s been diagnosed with a very nasty form of cancer. One which he may likely not survive. Those of you that posted negative crap about him, are you happy now? Feel good about your pathetic selves? Unreal.
And BroJos, if you should happen to stumble across my reply, are you guys happy with how your message board has turned out? You guys have to know who Tommy is and what kind of person he is. How can you allow some of this sh*t to get posted? I really don’t get it.
Rivs IS a genuine guy who cares more about your running, than boasting about anything he’s done. He is the real deal who would do anything for his friends. And now he’s battling for his life and incurring enormous hospital bills. He and his family deserve every penny they get from the GoFund Me account, and from the #runwithRivs project happening tomorrow thru August 9th. Do something good and help them out*. And. For those douchebags that felt the need to disparage him or his situation, I can only hope karma finds you quickly.
* I am not related to Tommy.
He is probably a good guy and of course does not deserve this crazy $hit but not a mix of Mother Theresa and Shackleton either.
Best wishes on his fight.