MEDICAL UPDATE {JUNE 5, 2019}
My two brothers, Chris and Benny, in Banff last week for Caleb’s wedding.
Phase 1 of my cancer treatment at MD Anderson consisted of 30 radiation treatments, 42 chemotherapies, 3 immunotherapy infusions, thousands of prayers, beginning the Keto diet and lots of exercise. We completed Phase 1 April 30 after 7 weeks. The days in Houston were good, but we missed home a great deal. We had no rhythm to life except going to the hospital 5 days a week and doing the regiment of appointments.
Phase 2, on May 24, began with an MRI. It was a clear scan, showing nothing. I will have an MRI every 2 months to check to see if there is a recurrence of a tumor. The MRI is the only way we can test to see if the cancer is recrafting a tumor. The initial biopsy from surgery showed there were microscopic Glioblastoma cells all around the margin of where the tumor had been. Our desire is that the radiation and chemo killed many of these little rascals. There is no way to tell how effective the treatment was except to walk through the days ahead and see what the MRI’s show us.
Our hope is that with all 6 strategies of treatment we have killed or are going to kill of the Glioblastoma cells. We believe our God is in control and that He has a plan. At this point, we know the plan involves us shining for His Glory. Whether by life or death we plan to shine. Even in our sadness and grief we will shine. Our Game Plan is very simple. 1) We will be honest about our emotions as they come and feel them as they come. 2) We will be thankful for every minute we get as we already should have been. We will recognize life and all our interactions with others as true gifts that came from the Giver. He has blessed us immeasurably and we will overflow with thankfulness. 3) We will continue to tell everyone we can about how good our Master is. He is the great Lover of His people and He is the All Powerful One who alone can give hope and encouragement.
As we continue with treatment of all 6 strategies, our ultimate hope is in Him. Maybe I am already healed of this cancer, maybe not. Let me list our next steps describing each strategy.
1. We will keep on praying and asking for a miracle. Remember this cancer is normally fatal 98% of the time. But life is fatal 100% of the time. Prayer is what changes our attitude. Attitudes come from what we believe. We believe we have an infinitely good and powerful God who already rescued us by sending Jesus to the planet to die for us. That truth melts our hearts so we can respond with hope in our suffering. The suffering is very real and painful, but our God is bigger!
2. Radiation is complete. As I understand things, I will not do anymore radiation ever again.
3. I will do Chemo 5 days a week every 4 weeks for about a year. I just did my first round of that with no noticeable side effects this week.
4. I will travel to Houston every 2 weeks for the Immunotherapy Infusion for about a year. My next one is June 7.
5. We plan on continuing the Keto diet to starve the cancer of sugar indefinitely. I definitely miss eating pasta, donuts, breads, donuts, ice cream, donuts etc. Occasionally I have a “Grace” moment and eat a small bit of something yummy. Remember, Keto is a low carb diet consisting of 50g or less of carbohydrates a day, along with lots of fats and proteins.
6. Exercise is a nearly everyday activity. I love to bike, swim and walk! I’m excited to let you know that I registered for Ironman Ohio July 28 near Columbus, Ohio. It is a Half Ironman distance race. It consists of a 1.2 mile open water swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run/walk. I am feeling really good now and love my training regiment. I have a coach and eagerly look forward to racing. My son Josh, my brother Chris, my niece Callie and a few others are planning to race with me. We will post more info on the race as the summer progresses. Exercise is clearly one of our big 6 strategies in fighting this nasty cancer.
I hope I was able to adequately answer your questions. Thanks for all your love, care, texts, comments and prayers. Pray that Amy and I follow the simple instructions I mentioned above.