Yesterday's Results

Before I update everyone on the results of this weeks tests, I would like to take a moment to thank you for supporting my family in the Pelotonia bike tour. The response so far in just a couple days has been tremendous, and we are already nearly half way to our goal. Without cancer research, I would not have the treatments that have kept me going thus far. The battle with cancer is truly a war on many fronts, and I thank you all for helping me fight this battle on every front.



The CT scan showed that the tumors were basically unchanged. There was one that had increased slightly in size, but the rest were essentially the same size as my last CT scan 2 months ago. The tumor marker (HCG) had increased, however, and is now 1750. That is a little more than double the level it was at 3 weeks ago (850). This indicates that the rate of increase has slowed, but it is still increasing nonetheless. This means current chemo is slowing the progression of the disease, but it will not be the cure we are looking for.

My doctors in Ann Arbor and Indiana have consulted on my situation, and the recommendation from Dr. Einhorn in Indiana was to proceed with oral VP-16. This is a daily dose of chemo (Etoposide) for 21 days per round. Dr. Winegarden felt that there may be other more aggressive options for me, and suggested I head to Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital in New York for another consultation. I spoke with Dr. Einhorn by phone yesterday afternoon, and he reassured me that the oral VP-16 is more than a maintenance dose, but I would still like to make the trip to New York to get more input. My fear regarding the oral chemo is that it is the same drug that I had high doses of in Indianapolis, so why would a low dose be any more effective? The theory behind the oral dose is that a smaller dose that can be given daily over a long period of time can be more effective than a high dose given over a short period of time. With testicular cancer, it is easy to kill 99% of the cancer. That is the fast growing portion of the cancer. The slow growing 1% that remains if very difficult to kill. Talking with Dr. Einhorn calmed my fears regarding the oral treatment, but it also pointed out that there is no sure thing at this point of my disease.

Indiana and Sloan-Kettering are the top hospitals for testicular cancer, and Sloan-Kettering is known to be a bit more aggressive than Indiana. I have the utmost respect and appreciation for what the team in Indiana has done for me thus far; they have been great and Dr. Einhorn is an amazing man. Maybe the oral VP-16 would cure me, but I want to look into all available avenues before I decide. I am very lucky to have Dr. Winegarden on my team. He is enlisting the help of the top minds in this field to find the best treatment for my disease. I still feel strong, I know in my heart and my gut that I will beat this, I just need to find the right instrument to make that happen.

I will hear from Sloan-Kettering on Monday regarding when they can see me. In the meantime, Megan and I are getting ready for another trip at the drop of a hat. We have done this before, and certainly it will be easier than preparing for such a trip a week after moving (as we had to do when we headed to Indianapolis). At the same time, my blood counts are up, almost back to normal even. To me this is another sign that my body is strong and ready for any treatment necessary. Megan and I went to the Wyandotte Street Fair last night while Ethan spent some time with Grandpa and Grandma. It was great to have a night out, and it is good to be able to be out and about again.

Thank you all for your prayers and support, your donations, your emails, and phone calls. I owe many of you a return call. I am trying to make headway on those calls, but know that I appreciate your support very much, even if you have not yet heard back from me. I love you all, and together we will continue to beat this!

Livestrong!