Cancer is controlled -- Near Remission

I was originally diagnosed with adenocarcinoma on March 2, 2010. This is cancer of the esophagus which was for me a tumor that had grown out into the esophagus and had spread to 18 tumors in my brain and others in my chest cavity. This “silent killer” is diagnosed usually in men near age 60 as was with me. I was diagnosed in Univ of Cal San Fran hospital neurology department by a team of doctors. An endoscope was used to determine that the cancer had started and spread from my esophagus tumor. I was diagnosed as Stage IV, Terminal with a life expectancy of 5 months to 2 years.

I took 10 full brain radiation treatments and 6 chemotherapy treatments. I was hospitalized in San Francisco initially for 4 days. My radiation treatments went by smoothly and were immediately followed by the chemo. After my 2d chemo I was hospitalized twice in Merced for 6 days and two weeks later again for 5 days. I reluctantly resumed chemo only after changing the chemo drug and dosages. I continued chemo until Sept 15, my 6th treatment. I would have various CT scans and MRIs to check my progress.

Then on Oct 7th, I was given a PET scan during which radioactive sugars are injected into your body to illuminate any cancers in your body. This was a 3 hour procedure. This scan was followed up by an endoscope on Oct 11th. We would anxiously await the results. A preliminary report on the endoscope showed some remaining nodules in my esophagus and 10 biopsies to check for cancer were sent to pathology. I was informed by the doctor that I had Barrett’s condition which is a precursor to cancer, but there was not a protrusion as in March. Now we awaited final results until today, Oct 13th.

Today we went to my onocologist, who would give us the final results. As we sat there we were unaware that the biopsy results from the pathologist had just came in to the doctor. We had been told this morning we would have to wait for 5 more days. Dr. entered the room and shuffled through her papers and had me tell about my tests. She then interrupted and told us the wonderful news that NO CARCINOMA (cancer) WAS DETECTED in any of the 10 biopsies. The PET scan revealed only one area of illumination, the area near the esophagus and stomach juncture, where the biopsies were taken. There was no other illumination in my chest, lungs, lymph nodes, or brain. The esophagus tumor is controlled, the 18 brain tumors did not illuminate!, the lung tumor was not detected as well as no activity in the lymph nodes. Dr. was totally amazed with the results of these tests and stated that I am as close as I can be to a controlled remission. The Herceptin antibody therapy (not chemo) will be injected every 3 weeks to control the tumors.

PRAISE GOD. We truly believe God has provided a healing miracle in my body, freeing me of the cancers that were threatening my life. OUR GOD IS AWESOME. His healing hand was upon me the whole time and I could feel a multitude of prayers raining down on me coming from around the world and different religions. Thank you to all that lifted me up in prayer and the encouragement you gave me through this ordeal. We will continue to pray for long term remission. Thank you to all the wonderful doctors, nurses, and technicians that diagnosed, treated and led me to a near remission.