Dave Dossett

Hello friends and family! 
Thank you for stopping by the site and taking the time to stay updated on dad's journey. I will do my very best to keep everyone as up to date as possible. 
For those of you that don't know, dad was diagnosed with an aggressive and fast growing late stage lung cancer last week. This is a metastasis from his late stage bladder cancer from last year. The lung cancer was found at his 3 month follow up scan after being given the all clear from the bladder cancer. To say this news was disheartening is an understatement. After meeting with dads oncologist, we learned that surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are no longer options at this point. We learned that this cancer is one that can only be slowed down (hopefully) and not put into remission. Since chemotherapy and radiation are not effective, our last hope and prayer is to start a 3 month course of infusions called Keytruda. This drug will hopefully work with dads natural immune system to slow the progression of the cancer. After 3 months at the end of November, we will do another scan to see how the cancer is responding. If the tumor/mass is responding and not growing, then I believe he can continue with the Keytruda therapy for the duration of his life. If the mass isn't responding, then I think we start talking about how dad can live out the rest of his days the best he can. 
We did discuss the possibility of getting a 2nd opinion at Mayo Clinic. Dad's records and results were sent to an Oncologist at Mayo in Rochester and a conference call was done between dad's Oncologist here and the Mayo doctor. The conclusions were the same and since it can take a while to get into the Mayo clinic - he opted to forego the 2nd opinion and not waste precious time only to be told the same thing in the end. It's a decision that I think is wise and will be best for him in the end. 


Treatment will begin this week. He will get infusions every 3 weeks for 3 months with a repeat scan end of November. As of right now...we wait. And pray. 
Dad is in pretty good spirits and takes each day as it comes. I am beyond proud to be this man's daughter. The strength and grace in which he handles all of this amazes me. No matter what happens, he is well loved. Thank you for support and prayers. We are grateful. 


Much love to you all, 


Kate  - Dave's favorite (only)  daughter




Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.