Erik's journey began last year while visiting the Emergency Department after a long, painful weekend of passing a kidney stone. The ED doc just so happened to order a CT scan and found a baseball size tumor on his right kidney. He was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma. A few weeks later Erik had a Radical Right Nephrectomy. His Urologist said it was a "chip shot" so Erik thought that's it...no more cancer.
Erik continued to have scans and ultrasounds per protocol to ensure that the cancer had not returned. Just a year after finding out he had cancer, Erik found a lump in his pelvic area. CT scan revealed that RCC had metastasized to his abdominal cavity. Ascites (fluid), pain and weight loss have been the main obstacles he has faced in the last 6 weeks.
After much thought and prayer, Erik decided to enter a Phase IV clinical trial which entailed 2 current marketed immunotherapies in combination. He and I both felt that this would offer him more "Hope" than the standard treatment. After 4 weeks from his initial infusion, based on blood work and clinical observation his Oncologist believed that he was not responding to therapy. Erik's next step is an oral chemo therapy.
Our prayer right now is for peace and comfort as he continues on this journey. It's not the journey we had hoped for but it is the one he has been handed. The outpouring of prayer, support and love from friends and family has been humbling. And because of those acts of kindness this journey has been easier and more peaceful for Erik and his family.
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