Today, June 26th, was my eighth chemo and immunotherapy treatment cycle
Happening, as most of you know, every three weeks
It was uneventful - a good thing
Meaning no anaphylactic reactions, passing out or experiencing heart stoppages
Which I had become rather famous for:(
And it was fairly quick
As I only receive two immunotherapy drugs and one chemotherapy drug now
The harshest chemo drug being stopped after the sixth treatment
When it could have become more detrimental than helpful.
It is also hoped that this will lessen the side effects
Though, to be frank, I feel pretty yucky right now when writing this after my treatment.
So...
For a brief report on our meeting with my doctor
And "uncertainty in uncharted territory"
After several weeks of my tumor markers going down,
My blood work three weeks ago showed my tumor markers going back up
Which is not the desired direction...
And resulted in my doctor ordering a CT scan to assess the state of my tumor.
This just created more questions and uncertainty:
The tumor remained about the same size, possibly a fraction smaller
Good news!
However...the scan also showed:
1. Increased fluid in my right lung
Not good news
2. A thickening of the wall of the esophagus
Not good news
The result of the above being increased difficulty in swallowing.
The good news is that an "urgent request" from my doctor
Has resulted in being scheduled for an endoscopy this coming Monday, June 29th
For which we are very thankful:)
So the uncertainty...
1. My doctor does not know why the tumor markers went up
2. My doctor does not know why there is increased fluid in my right lung
3. The endoscopy on Monday will hopefully help explain why there is a thickening of the
wall of the esophagus
In uncharted territory...
My doctor made an incredible statement again today
That reinforces what he has been telling us all along
Regarding this cancer journey I am experiencing
"There is possibly no other case in the world
Where your rare genetic form of advanced pleural mesothelioma
Is showing successful treatment"
Wow!
Quite a statement, huh?!
It should make everyone consider the fact
That there is a God who still does miracles!
That we are on a very special journey together:)
Yes, I am extremely appreciative of and thankful for my doctor and his team
But, possibly the ONLY case in the world showing successful treatment?!
Why me?
I don't know...
But I am very thankful:)
And, I want to give thanks again to you all who are walking this journey with me:)
I can't express how much I value your encouragement and prayer and positive thoughts!
Blessings,
Dave
**To hope and peace and joy in the midst of uncertainty, finding certainty in God!
P.S. I will follow up with a report after the endoscopy:)
Friday, June 26, 2020
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Father's Day
It's been awhile since you've heard from me
For two reasons:
1. Not a lot has changed
So what I would write would seem rather repetitive
2. What has changed has caused a lot of uncertainty and confusion
So what I would write would be rather negative and complaining
When I really have a lot to be thankful for...
I am still alive!
And making it to another Father's Day tomorrow...
Though Father's Day is not one of my favorite holidays:(
Not because we don't have amazing and wonderful children
We do
They are all incredible
And a huge blessing!
And Cindy and I are so very thankful for each of them
And the incredible individuals and fathers and mothers they are
Or, in the case of one of them, unquestionably will soon be!
It is the regret that another Father's Day brings...
For often not being the father that my children needed and deserved
As they were growing up.
For being so consumed with building
A ministry and a business
That became a blessing to many other young people
Who called me "dad" and Cindy "mom"
And yet often kept me from being the dad that my children wanted and needed.
Regret is a painful thing
It can push us to seek to heal the wounds from the past
To seek and find forgiveness
And rebuild relationships that have been damaged
But it cannot eliminate the hurt that has been done
Or the time and opportunities that have been lost
And cannot be recovered.
Regret...
I'm hoping that this brief "confession"
Might spur on any young fathers
Or mothers
Who are reading this blog
To make the most of the years you still have
With your children
While they are still in your care.
You will not regret making your children such a priority!
Thanks for listening...
Dave
P.S. My eighth chemo and immunotherapy treatment
Is this coming Friday, June 26th
For two reasons:
1. Not a lot has changed
So what I would write would seem rather repetitive
2. What has changed has caused a lot of uncertainty and confusion
So what I would write would be rather negative and complaining
When I really have a lot to be thankful for...
I am still alive!
And making it to another Father's Day tomorrow...
Though Father's Day is not one of my favorite holidays:(
Not because we don't have amazing and wonderful children
We do
They are all incredible
And a huge blessing!
And Cindy and I are so very thankful for each of them
And the incredible individuals and fathers and mothers they are
Or, in the case of one of them, unquestionably will soon be!
It is the regret that another Father's Day brings...
For often not being the father that my children needed and deserved
As they were growing up.
For being so consumed with building
A ministry and a business
That became a blessing to many other young people
Who called me "dad" and Cindy "mom"
And yet often kept me from being the dad that my children wanted and needed.
Regret is a painful thing
It can push us to seek to heal the wounds from the past
To seek and find forgiveness
And rebuild relationships that have been damaged
But it cannot eliminate the hurt that has been done
Or the time and opportunities that have been lost
And cannot be recovered.
Regret...
I'm hoping that this brief "confession"
Might spur on any young fathers
Or mothers
Who are reading this blog
To make the most of the years you still have
With your children
While they are still in your care.
You will not regret making your children such a priority!
Thanks for listening...
Dave
P.S. My eighth chemo and immunotherapy treatment
Is this coming Friday, June 26th
Saturday, June 6, 2020
40 YEARS!
Tomorrow, June 7th, is Cindy and my 40th wedding anniversary!
Which I'd like to reflect on for a few moments:)
But first...
My immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatment yesterday
Went without a hitch
Yay!
The chemo drug that has the harshest side effects
Was eliminated this time
And from now on
As six rounds is the limit to its effectiveness
Before it begins to negatively
Impact the body
More than positively impact it.
So...
We will see if the side effects are reduced this time
Which would be wonderful
As the last round definitely
Impacted me the most
As the chemo drugs have built up in my body.
I will find out on Monday or Tuesday
The latest results regarding the tumor markers...
And then my next treatment is on June 26th.
It was amazing to hear my doctor use the word "miracle" yesterday
As he described my healing progress!
I don't know about you
But that is not a typical word used by a doctor nowadays:)
NOW...
Reflections on reaching 40 years of marriage!
GRATITUDE!!
What else can describe
The fact that Cindy and I have reached this milestone
When just four months ago
It seemed like I only had days or weeks to live!
And so I am deeply grateful
Grateful for:
God's mercy
My oncologist and his team
My family and friends...YOU ALL!
CINDY
How can I capture in words
What Cindy, my wife of 40 years, means to me
And the different man I am today
Because of the 40 years God has given us together!
How can I describe the gift she is to me?
To repeat a fictitious quote from Leonardo da Vinci in the movie "Ever After"
As he described how he viewed Danielle's importance to Prince Henry
Cindy "completes me"
I have said many times
That you wouldn't want to know me
If it weren't for her the difference she has made on my life!!
I am grateful
That God, in his mercy,
Has given us 40 years
And counting!!
Thank you again, dear friends,
For walking this cancer journey with us
It has definitely been a miraculous adventure!
Blessings,
Dave
Which I'd like to reflect on for a few moments:)
But first...
My immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatment yesterday
Went without a hitch
Yay!
The chemo drug that has the harshest side effects
Was eliminated this time
And from now on
As six rounds is the limit to its effectiveness
Before it begins to negatively
Impact the body
More than positively impact it.
So...
We will see if the side effects are reduced this time
Which would be wonderful
As the last round definitely
Impacted me the most
As the chemo drugs have built up in my body.
I will find out on Monday or Tuesday
The latest results regarding the tumor markers...
And then my next treatment is on June 26th.
It was amazing to hear my doctor use the word "miracle" yesterday
As he described my healing progress!
I don't know about you
But that is not a typical word used by a doctor nowadays:)
NOW...
Reflections on reaching 40 years of marriage!
GRATITUDE!!
What else can describe
The fact that Cindy and I have reached this milestone
When just four months ago
It seemed like I only had days or weeks to live!
And so I am deeply grateful
Grateful for:
God's mercy
My oncologist and his team
My family and friends...YOU ALL!
CINDY
How can I capture in words
What Cindy, my wife of 40 years, means to me
And the different man I am today
Because of the 40 years God has given us together!
How can I describe the gift she is to me?
To repeat a fictitious quote from Leonardo da Vinci in the movie "Ever After"
As he described how he viewed Danielle's importance to Prince Henry
Cindy "completes me"
I have said many times
That you wouldn't want to know me
If it weren't for her the difference she has made on my life!!
I am grateful
That God, in his mercy,
Has given us 40 years
And counting!!
Thank you again, dear friends,
For walking this cancer journey with us
It has definitely been a miraculous adventure!
Blessings,
Dave
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