Jim Collins

Jim was diagnosed with bladder cancer last October. It is very aggressive, and even though he has gone through over 2 months of chemotherapy, the cancer has spread to several other areas of his body--lungs, liver, lymph nodes, spots in a few bones, and some small spots in his brain.  There is concern about his kidney function, so he is in the hospital for a couple of days to see if there is some blockage that is irritating his kidneys.  He has had stents placed in the tubes between his kidney's and bladder ever since the tumor was removed from his bladder at the end of October.  The right stent in particular has caused him a lot of pain.  One positive is that the spots in his brain are easily treatable with radiation.  And his brain can be monitored to quickly correct future tumors.  Unfortunately, treating the rest of his body is not as easy.  Once the doctors figure out how to help his kidneys, and after the brain radiation treatment, he will be eligible for clinical trials of new drugs or combinations of drugs.  Until then, he will begin immuno-therapy, where they will boost the power of his own immune system to fight the cancer.  We continue to have strong faith--we know that God can do anything!  Please don't hesitate to contact us through this website. I will try to post regular updates.  We are sending out a big thank you to everyone who is praying and sending us their best wishes.  Keep it up!  Judy