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Yesterday, I discussed the biopsy result with Dr. Eng at MD Anderson. It is indeed colon cancer that has spread to the lungs. I had actually heard the news the day earlier from my Dallas congologist, Dr. Shapiro, because they had talked. All conventional thinking says this is not curable. But Dr. Eng is not quite ready to throw in the towel. In fact, if the chemo works well, she is not ruling out the prospect for surgery in the future to remove the nodules (that is really the only known way to get rid of them permanently, but conditions for surgery are tough to meet). She has two (only two, but more than zero) patients who are clear 1.5 and 3 years out from where I am now. We have to keep in mind that 4 of the 5 available chemo drugs for colon cancer were approved later than 1998 and 2 of them were approved in 2005.
Still, this news is not good at all. Chemo does not tend to work as well in the lungs. And when tumors affect the lungs, you get fluid in them - very bad. But I'm ready to get going with some more treatment to kill these little guys in my lungs. Chemo begins Monday morning in Dallas - IV at the clinic with home pump for 48 hours. Every 14 days. Four rounds. Rough days ahead.
It is very important for this chemo to work well. The plan is a bit risky - I'll tell you more about it later. My protocol is unique.
Two things were impressed on me in my discussions with these doctors. (1) It is very rare for someone diagnosed three years ago with Stage 4 colon cancer to even be here (diagnosis was May 03). I am renewed in thanksgiving to the Lord that everything has gone so well - three difficult surgeries that went perfectly and incredible response from chemo. I am so happy to be alive. One reason Dr. Eng and others want to stay aggressive is because I am already a unique survivor. I thank you all for your prayer for me these past three years. (2) I need some more miracles. Please pray for significant tumor response to the cancer.