Entry #20 - Health Update

2.21.17

Health Update:

I had a CT Scan on February 3, 2017 and the results of the scan showed that my cancer had increased on the right lung and we had a new evidence that it had spread to the left lung. Due to these findings, I have come off the Immunotherapy clinical trial (CPI-444 + Atezo) at UCSF and started standard Chemotherapy at Stanford on 2-17-17.

I started with Docetaxel last Friday and will come back again in three weeks for another infusion.  At that time, we might add another chemotherapy to the mix depending on how I am progressing.  I am excited because I am getting better every second since I had my infusion!

It is too bad the immunotherapy I was on did not work, but we knew it was a risk and was worth taking it in case it did work. I was in good enough shape to give it a try.  The reason I am choosing to go with standard chemotherapy for my 4th line of treatment is that I need to get my cancer under control and I know that chemotherapy from my past treatments works on me and I am hoping that it will make me feel better overall.

In the meantime, I will stay associated with UCSF and Stanford and Huntsman and others to continually be looking for some other treatment that might be the right choice for me and my cancer. I will continue to explore alternative treatment options to aid me as well in this fight against Cancer.

Reflections:

I had real hope that maybe the trial I was on would be a great solution for me.  Clearly it has not worked and so I am back to the drawing board…one door closes and another one opens…and I look to the future with great hope knowing that if I do all I can, work with others, and keep a positive attitude that we will find a solution.  So the journey continues on and I am learning deeply about appreciating the process and how lucky I have been for so many years to have had very little physical and mental ailment. 

I am gaining a deep appreciation for people who inherently lack the desire to do things, and to be active in all walks of life.  I am learning about how to balance “letting your body heal” and continuing to push your body to get stronger with exercise and activity.   

It is not easy to balance which voice is in your head and then knowing what the appropriate course of action should be. I don’t want to be the stubborn man that does not let the body regenerate itself and at the same time I don’t want to be the lazy man that does not push himself to add value to the world at large. 

It is a new place that I find myself and hence I must learn new behaviors to deal with my mental and physical abilities. Learning is not always fun and is not easy, but it is the purpose of this life. 

Thanks again for all the love, support, notes, prayers, comments, thoughts unspoken, calls, gifts, visits, etc. I know for sure that I am a very lucky human being to have the best friends and family in the world...nothing is more precious to me than the relationships I have and the knowledge I have gained from all of you. Knowing you all care about me gives me huge strength and I am most appreciative of your faith in me!

Cancer going down!

Have a great day!

Love,

Greg