I know that the fight against cancer is a long, tedious, frustrating endeavor, but sometimes the fight is won. It is so very important to continue the fight and to be very, very stubborn in fighting an enemy that you can't see, can't grab hold of, and can't always see progress. The lines of battle are hidden, and you have very little to defeat an enemy whose strengths are stealth, biological destruction, and physical terrorism. Sometimes it seems that the battle is overwhelming and you can't win, so why continue the fight?
Well, today I had a follow-up with my Oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, and he confirmed that the MRI and CT scans I took on Friday no longer show any cancer. This is after almost 7 years of the fight and numerous side battles that only helped the enemy.
I count 20 June, 2017 as my "cancer day" when I began the fight with surgery to remove my left kidney which had level 4 cancer. It was a full cut (not computer-aided) which was the first step down the long road of redemption, and the surgeon made an error which had fluid seeping into my abdomen, which called for weekly "draining" of the fluid through a tube inserted into me, and draining into what looked like the old milk bottles. When they couldn't stop the drain of "kile" into my abdomen and the numerous attempts failed, going on a liquid diet infused into me every night for 5 months was finally able to stop the"leak".
Then began the actual fight with Opdivo and Cabometryx. After following the regimen for three years, doctors wanted to terminate the treatment, as most patients have some problems (diarrhea, constipation, skin issues, etc), but I saw that the cancer was now in a holding pattern after moving to my lungs, and then to my spleen and pancreas. The doctor agreed to keep me on the same meds as it seemed to be working (the hard part was marking each three month time between the MRI/CT Scans), the only real marker that told if the cancer was growing or shrinking.
The 90 day tests showed that the cancer continued to shrink every three months, and only two spots on my spleen remained, and the lungs and pancreas were clear of previous spots. The test Friday showed no spots, and the doctor told me today that (as of right now) I am "cancer-free".
My wife said that was "Great News". The doctor corrected her by calling it "Great News". I concur. We are going to continue the treatment to ensure that what we think has happened, has actually happened.
Sorry for a long story, but I wanted to remind others that if we refuse to fold our cards, and fight the good fight, that with the help of good medical assistance, a Loving wife or husband, and friends who support you with prayer and positive information, the fight can be won. I am about to turn 75 (not a kid), and spent most of my life in the Army, so my body has had it's challenges, but I look forward to continuing down the road to recovery, as cancer is like rust, and "Rust never Sleeps".
Stay Tough, Fight the Fight, and Never, Never Give Up... I am celebrating my first day since being declared "cancer free" (but never take anything for granted, and never think that the cancer is really gone).
Larry