Taken on July 9th, 2014
It is now July 2014 and I have gone on this journey of having Esophagus Cancer for almost 2 years now. On Oct. 11, 2012 I was told the devastating news that I have Esophagus Cancer. A lot has happened since that date. Going to all sorts of doctors, having been told that I was not a candidate for surgery, and then after having radiation, being told you can no longer have radiation in that area of the cancer. I have had all sorts of CT’s, PET Scans, Endoscopes, EKG’s, Ultrasounds, X-rays, Radiation, and Chemo I have had a feeding tube, a port, and a pleual effusion which is a tube that goes into the lung to drain fluid that has built up.
Yes, you might say that I have had a lot of things done but through all of this I have kept my faith. In June, we went to the doctors thinking it was going to be a routine checkup and we found out that the last CT scan was showing that the chemo that they were giving me is not fully doing its job. So what does that mean, well some of the cancer cells are getting smaller or staying the same but some of the cancer is getting bigger. So the chemo was stopped because it is not doing its full job.
So what is next in my journey of Esophagus Cancer? I am going to try a clinical trial that is schedule to start on July 14th. There are people out there that might say, “A clinical trial? It won’t work”. Just remember every medicine that you are taking right now had to go through a clinical trial. This medicine that they will put me on has already gone through the entire testing trial to make sure it is safe for humans and now it is time to be tested on humans. They will choose a method of treatment do it for 2-3 months then I will have a PET Scan or CT’s and see how the drug is working. If it is working they will continue to give it to me. If it is not then they try some other trial.
We watched a video of several people that went on clinical trials 10 years ago and maybe the one trial only gave them a year or two before symptom’s came back and then they went on another trial. Remember every day that I am live, that possibility of scientist finding the right medicine to beat this cancer. So this is our goal. Fight to the end! Keep God and our faith with us at all times. Yes, our dream of having a complete cure is what we want.
My goal is to keep alive for as long as I can. If that means for me to live another 20-30 years that I have to do several trials then that is what I will do. Just because you are on a trial does not mean that you feel really bad the whole time. Every day a new drug is being tested and with our faith in God and our faith in medicine, we are willing to walk this journey of life. You never know one of those trials might just be the cure for Esophagus Cancer.
To read more of the early parts of my journey, please click here.
I am so thankful for all the prayers, support, thoughts, and love from so many people. I am thankful to God for placing His healing hands on my body. I know God is destroying this evil demon that has evaded in my body. I am humble to all that God has given me.
First United Methodist Church – Alvin
Taken on June 29, 2014
I am thankful for my family. My wife, Kathy, is my rock. She is by my side every moment, every appointment, every minute. Her love and support has given me strength in my darkest moments. My daughter, Jennifer, is my cheerleader. She lifts my spirits and lets me know that she can identify with me as we both are taking chemo, even though it is in different forms. My son, Adam, is my strength and back up. He has provided me laughter and helped with daily chores to ease the load on the family. My family is the encouraging voice that echoes in my mind when I am discouraged. They remind me that we are kicking some cancer butt.
I am so thankful for my friends. Prayers have been said in my behalf all throughout the country. My coworkers have helped me, supported me by wearing their scrub hats when I lost my hair, offered to take me to treatments and to help in any way they can. My friends at church have made a prayer quilt which I use every time I have a treatment. I am so thankful for members of the church to come to the house and give me communion when I was unable to attend church. I am thankful for all the cards from friends and family members.
Words to describe me on this journey:
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