John Thomas
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Good Friday is always special to me. Good Friday, 2009 I officially became a member of this small club. Today, five years later, I am still a member, although slightly inactive. I have been very busy living! Despite the statistics, some of us make it through. I am so grateful for the past five years, I can’t express it.
For folks in the Santa Cruz-Monterey Bay Area, I have been treated/advised by the following physicians:
1) Dr. Michael Yen: Oncology (Santa Cruz)
2) Dr. Jay Meisel: Radiation Oncology (Santa Cruz)
3) Dr. Lester Miller: Internist,Rheumatology (Santa Cruz)
4) Dr. Carlos Esquivel: Stanford Hospital, Surgery Center
5) Dr. George Fisher: Stanford Hospital, Cancer Center
Resources are limited in this area, we are fortunate to be near Stanford. Dr. Fisher is an authority on CC. Dr. Miller has practiced and taught for forty years, and is my local “go to guy” for advice.
Paul,
I suggest Dr. George Fisher at Stanford as another resource. I was told I had inoperable, incurable ICC two years ago. I chose Radiation, Xeloda and Gemzar as therapy. I stopped treatment a year ago. My last MRI shows no metastasis and no disease progression. I believe your faith and your will are major factors in living with this disease. Our prayers are with your brother and family.
Best wishes,
John Thomas
Dear Seabee,
I am so sorry to read of your wife’s passing. But what a wonderful seed she planted through her “sign”. That “quiet, still voice within”, is my constant reassurance. May you also find this peace on your journey.
God Bless,
John ThomasDear Seabee,
My heart goes out to you. I have watched my wife struggle with the reality of this disease as more doors are closed to us. As a former Marine,I understand the imperative of moving forward. Every time we are knocked down, we look up. Our love and our faith are what supports us. Feel my arm around your shoulders, you are not alone.
Semper Fi,
John ThomasAndy,
We are sharing the same time frame for this disease. and also a similar mindset. I feel that without the option of surgery, the only choice we have is treat this as a chronic disease. I am having PET and MRI this week, which I know will confirm my belief. Best wishes for your journey.
John Thomas
Hello Pam,
I completed nine rounds of Gemzar (gemcitibine) in March,2010. Fatigue,evening fevers,some nausea and lack of appetite were my primary complaints. My wife made smoothies daily, papaya and pineapple were my favorites. Gemzar was chosen as a conservative, palliative measure. I believe Gemzar afforded me the best opportunity to live the life I choose.
Best wishes,
John Thomas
Hello Margaret,
I don’t know of a correlation between Xeloda and Rheumatoid Arthritis. We have an English cousin with full-blown RA, and his treatment is a mild chemo and steroids. Perhaps Tom would benefit from a different steroid.
For me, besides the pain/swelling relief, an added plus of the Prednisone is appetite stimulation. I am now on a “See Food” Diet. I am not so sure that I want to go back on chemo because I feel so good. I will make a decision after this months PET and MRI.Best wishes for you and Tom, we pray that he can find some relief.
John & Linda Thomas
