My name is Chris, and I have severe liver cancer. I have practiced dentistry in Walnut Creek since September 1974. Really bad and aggressive liver cancer. It just doesn’t seem fair. I don’t drink alcohol, smoke, or do drugs. Regardless of the cause, I have to deal with it.
Many people are curious about how I am doing. I try to respond to each letter or message I receive, but its becoming increasingly difficult to write the same details over and over all day long. So, I will use this web page to post up-to-date details about how I’m doing, along with treatments received, and my inner thoughts and fears. This way, you will know everything.
You can always come here to check to see what’s new. If you want to receive a push notification each time that I post an update, click the necessary links to “subscribe”.
My cancer was discovered in November 2016, and I guess I’m lucky to still be alive. Since that time, I practically live at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). I have endured just about every medically accepted treatment so far, including surgery to remove 40% of my liver, surgical placement of radioactive Yttrium-90, and surgical placement of a chemotherapeutic drug directly into the liver. Nothing has worked. The cancer keeps getting worse.
This whole battle has consumed so much of my energy, that I retired in October 2018. I sold most of my dental practice to Dr. Procopio, who is a wonderful dentist and good friend. Now 100% of my time is spent doing whatever I need to do to stay alive, including weekly blood tests and frequent CT Scans.
But it’s not all bad. I have received a huge outpouring of love and good wishes from my patients, family, and friends. I have gotten over 200 cards and letters, and each one truly warms my heart. I knew that I was well-liked, but I had no idea how many people care about me, and how much they care. I really appreciate your well wishes and good karma.
Here are some links to essays that I have written about my cancer, how it has been treated so far, my poor prognosis, and how I feel about it.
I HAVE COPIED THE LINKS BELOW TO MY SECOND JOURNAL ENTRY ON APRIL 28th.
February 13, 2017 - About meeting with surgeon prior to having 40% of my liver removed.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ofn0znjt3510k94/Meeting%20with%20Dr%20Fiiese%20-%20Feb%2013%202017.pdf?dl=0February. 22, 2017 - Written immediately after waking up from the liver surgery.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5gzbbq75ve0a2ks/Liver%20Surgery%20Update%20-%20MAR%2022%201017.pdf?dl=0For about a year and a half after the liver surgery, we all thought I was “cured”. My AFP level was increasing slightly, but I floored and felt 100% normal. Then, in October 2018, the AFP started rising very quickly. We tried the radiation and targeted chemo, but things only got worse.
March 27, 2019 - About meeting with UCSF doctors to discuss clinical trials and treatment options.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o3hhux288odmdz9/Medical%20Update%203-27-19.pdf?dl=0April 5, 2019 - About meeting with UCSF doctors. We’re running out of time and few options are left. We’ll start with the Sorafenib (Nexavar) as soon as we can get insurance approval.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zfa9pht1spekj5p/Medical%20Update%204-5-19.pdf?dl=0HERE IS A LINK TO 171 PHOTOS,
“My life in photos”. I plan to add many more photos, because these barely scratch the surface.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kboobvo3waodx6z/171%20Photos%20for%20Caring%20Bridge%20.pdf?dl=0 
