Suddenly, A New Option
It’s been another crazy week, in a long line of crazy weeks. I wish I could remember back to a “normal” week, but I can’t. Which means, I guess, that for me crazy weeks are normal weeks.
My family spent the weekend in Orlando. My wife was the coach of Oklahoma’s Math Counts team (it’s sort of like a spelling bee with math problems for middle schoolers) and so she had a free trip, room, meals. The kids and I went because, well, I’m dying supposedly and I wanted to hang out with them at Disney World, that magical, albeit commercial, place that we hadn’t been to in nine years, i.e., just before cancer struck our family.
It was a quick there and back, but a blast. For the kids and me, it was filled with a lot of fun rides and relaxation. I also journaled quite a bit. And LeAnn’s team did well, placing 26th out of 57 teams.
But then, suddenly, we were back to the real world, which was kind of like a hard slap in the face. Except that on this Monday, something interesting happened.
It all began several weeks ago, when I was making plans to do a reading in my hometown, Bartlesville. I had done a couple of book signings there, but never a reading. This time, however, a couple of old high school/college buddies were helping set up the reading, so I was happy to give it a go.
One of my friends is an anesthesiologist, and she had been telling me about a doctor that comes to Bartlesville from Dallas one week out of every month. The doctor specializes in a procedure that seems especially appropriate for people like me. The procedure involves injecting radioactive spheres into the tumors in one’s liver, especially when chemo cannot “fix” things.
I was able to visit with the doctor on Monday and learn more about the procedure and the doctor. He has done over 300 of these and now does them less than a mile from my parent’s home, in the same hospital where two of my sisters were born. After visiting with him, I received some input from some websites and other health care professionals, including one of my doctors at MD Anderson.
The procedure only takes an hour or so and is often done on an outpatient basis. There are some serious risks, but the results have been good. Most people receiving this treatment experience a significant reduction to their tumors. For some, the tumors are nearly obliterated. While it doesn’t seem likely that the treatment would ”cure” me, it could make me a candidate for a surgery for which I am, right now, ineligible. Also, as I understand it, if the treatment goes well, I could add as much as a year to my already tenuous life.
That’s big, because the numbers are otherwise fairly bleak. As I was reading some data relating to my cancer yesterday, I saw that only 29% of the people in my situation live for two years. Right now, I’m at 19 and a half months. Yikes!! While I feel confident that I’ll make it at least to the two year mark, especially since my cancer has been dormant for the last six months, time is basically running out.
There are still a lot of questions to ask, so who knows whether or not the procedure will happen. But it’s nice that a new option has emerged. The name of the game here is to survive for as long as I can. If I can make it another year or longer, perhaps other new options will become available.
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Comments
I’ve got my fingers & toes crossed for you….I know there is still hope left for you. At least that’s what my gut tells me. Take care; I’m still praying for you & your family.
Hugs,
Dharma
Jim – I have never commented before, but have been reading your blog for several months. I went to high school with LeAnn and learned of your illness through facebook. I am delighted to learn that there may be something else they can at least try. Every day you get with your family is one more gift. You and your family are in my prayers. BY the way, I thought your memoir was really good and have recommended it to several people. You are in inspiration. God bless.
It was great to meet you in Orlando! Thanks for supporting LeAnn! She is an awesome teacher and the students loved her as a coach! With some luck, maybe we can all go back next year!! 
My daughter laughed at my picture with Ford…I think she was just jealous!!
Have a great day!
Sheri
I’ve been lurking on your blog for a while now, and have read up from beginning to end. Thank you for allowing us to follow along with you as you make your way through this maze.
I was diagnosed in 2007 with stage IV colon cancer. I try to be on the lookout for future treatments, and it sounds like you’ve hit upon sir-spheres. The procedure sounds very promising. It has been a popular topic on one of the message boards I subscribe to.
Thank you for keeping the blog up. We’re all pulling for you!
Wonderful Wonderful News!!!!! While I agree with everyone’s comments, I must say that I’m hoping you WON’T be writing this blog for a long time. I hope there is a “Happily Ever After” ending in store for you all and you can go back to a “normal” life!
Thank you for your courage and humor and changing so many lives along the way!!!
Wow! Sounds very encouraging! I truly hope this is something that will work for you, my friend! Keep me informed as you are able to!
Wow. It is so wonderful to have options, or even the possibility of options. If I were in charge of doling out deserving miracles, you would definitely get one. You have defied the odds thus far, and I hope/pray you’re one of the the treatment lottery winners. You’re a blessing to so many people. Hope you have a beautiful day!
Hi! I’m a stage IV colon cancer survivor who is LIVING with and not dying from cancer!!! The little magic beads do provide miracles for many and if you are talking about Dr. Coldwell, well, he’s phenomenal!!! I had my procedure several years ago and though I was very close to the edge of death this treatment pulled me back and has allowed me to watch my daughters graduate and spend some very quality filled years proving that the improbable is possible! If I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to ask!! Wishing you lots of luck. Suzanne
You better get a new computer and keyboard, you are going to be writing this blog for a long time…I know. love you all, Rachel