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17/09/2016 4:07 pm
Wel, Ellen and I got some good news today. The oncologist finally found a cancer drug that works
As most of you know I haven't been posting much in the past year and a half; I lost a kidney to cancer but to make matters worse the stage four cancer had already metastasized up into my chest area and also produced several tumors next to the jugular and windpipe. It was scary at that point then it got worse.
My cancer turned out to be a rare one. Most of the new cancer drugs were designed for clear-cell cancer. None really for mine (papillary). I was fortunate to have one of the best young oncologists in the country at one of the best hospitals in the country (U.C.S.F.). Just a few months before, this cancer was considered terminal.
I told the doctor that I was too good looking and had too many things on my plate to die.......Besides, we already had a hotel booked in three months in Monterey for Miata weekend at Laguna Seca. He laughed and said........Don't worry Bill (Paul)..........I am going to find a cure. He has a great sense of humor and reminds me of a young Tom Hanks. That day the Battle of Britain began.
The first cancer drug knocked out my remaining kidney and I was in the hospital for ten days then on dialysis for two months....The first miracle appeared when my kidney doctor brought my kidney back to life (that does not happen very often).
The oncologist waited a few months and we tried the other remaining possibility.......This time we monitored the kidney very carefully.......no dice; we had to stop the drug in less than three months......that was it, my options were running out. You can't use Chemotherapy on kidney cancer (the kidney acts as a filter).
We just (Ellen and I) went on with our life and did a lot of road trips....and believe it or not did a lot of laughing.....she never lost faith.) We heard a news story about President Carter and Immunotherapy and his success.......My oncologist flew back east ........within weeks he managed to get me on the program......it was $15,000 a session twice a month.........the drug company picked up the bill.
Unfortunately we were running out of time, the tumors were growing quicker and put pressure on my wind pipe and jugular vein.......it was the first time the word 'hospice' came up, from a nose and throat specialist. Lucky for me U.C.S.F. also has a fabulous radiation department; there was no option left......
Once again a minor miracle appeared and the radiation was a success.....they managed to shrink the dangerous tumors without causing damage to the surrounding tissue. We went for the Hail Mary and tried a variant of the other drugs........It was supposed to be kidney friendly........
Two months later we got our PET/CT (yesterday)......ALL TUMORS ARE SHRINKING......and I still have my kidney.......
Thank you for your prayers and the good thoughts you send our way. I hope I'll be back on the board more often as I recover.
17/09/2016 4:25 pm
And i pray that you and Ellen will continue to receive good news! All the best to you!!
17/09/2016 6:04 pm
Wow! What a ride! Hope for only the best as you proceed with the new drug!
17/09/2016 10:13 pm
Congrats on the good news and I pray that it continues.
18/09/2016 6:01 pm
Cheers, Paul. Your news gives me a nice, warm feeling. Please accept my best wishes.
19/09/2016 4:48 am
Way to go Paul. Prayers and a strong will helped beat it. Mine has been in remission for about a year now.
19/09/2016 5:48 am
Thanks for the update Paul. You and Ellen have been in my prayers daily and based on this report, they are certainly working. You and Ellen are both terrific examples of what faith and fortitude can accomplish. Please continue to keep us informed and I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Looking forward to seeing more of your post as I love seeing the world through your creative eyes.
19/09/2016 6:50 pm
Excellent news, Paul. You and your team have this enemy on the run ...... now finish them off and give them the one-finger salute !
20/09/2016 9:13 am
Will do Mike.....and thanks
21/09/2016 6:59 am
Paul, while I can't even begin to imagine what you've gone through (and continue to go through),
I'm truly glad to hear that things are looking up. Often times, it's just knowing you have the right doctors and the right treatments and protocols. Sounds like you do.
Good to see your postings and comic posts. Always provides a chuckle or two. All the best to you and your wife! Just more die casts and road trips would be my prescription.
23/09/2016 8:11 am
Thanks Rick