Finally Some Hope Update November 7 2009

Well, this is what we have all been waiting for. Yesterday I met with Dr. Ed Wollen, the head of the Neuroendocrine tumor program at Cedars. His reputation is such that I believed he would be the final word when it came to the prognosis of my cancer. Needless to say, I was nervous and scared. He read all of my reports and results, which took a while. The waiting was pretty nerve racking. It was worth the wait, because he gave me hope that I have not had before.

He recommended a procedure that they are currently doing in Europe but not doing here. The link to the procedure (website in both Dutch and English) is here. The website explains it in a lot of detail, but here is how I understand it working:

The cancer cells emit hormones. The hormones have receptors that attract and repel other hormones. The procedure involves injecting a hormone attached to an isotope. The hormone finds the cancer cells and like a magnet binds itself to them. The isotope then blasts the cells. The metaphor I would use to describe this treatment is a gun attached to a magnet. From how the doctor explained it, plus the additional information I read on the website above, this treatment is both extremely effective and would have little side effects.

Apparently there is a doctor in Houston who is doing a similar type procedure, currently in an FDA trial. The difference is the dose in Europe is larger and the isotope used is more effective, from what I understood. Apparently the Houston doctor is to receive FDA approval to do the European procedure beginning some time early next year. The plan now is to contact the doc in Houston as soon as possible and set up a consultation and then set up a treatment plan, if he can do it. It would be better to do the procedure here rather then Europe because of insurance, however the costs here are two to three times as much as in Europe. Regardless, if it doesn't work out for me in Houston, Europe will be the next destination.

I had never even heard of this type of treatment before. It gives me a very viable option to stay alive without going through the chemotherapy treatment options that would be available to me here in the United States, if I were to be treated in a traditional manner. It gave me hope that I will be able to live with my cancer and also be able to survive the treatment. In short, I have hope where previously I felt as though I have been simply waiting to die.

I am extremely fortunate that I have had the opportunity to go through this process. It allowed me to really crystallize and simplify my life. The goals of my life are very simple: to be with people I love and who love me, and to do the things I want to do. That's it. If I can do that on a daily basis, I am in good shape. I got to learn life lessons quickly, and now it looks as though I will be able to be around for a while longer. I am excited for the future and hopeful for the first time in a while.