It’s been just over one month since my last journal entry. In that time, I completed round #2 of a 12 day continuously infused ifosfomide chemo treatment, nearly two full weeks of anemic post chemo symptoms leading to one blood transfusion, and due to the cumulative effects of chemo, am still fighting a few different post chemo symptoms like body pain particularly in my left groin and leg, low energy, inconsistent appetite, and strangely right chest pain when trying to sleep. I am taking the month of June off from treatment hoping to not only rejuvenate (which has disappointingly been slow in coming), but also to take a few trips, including to Tulsa for my 50th high school reunion, then onto our time share at Diamante (Cabo) for six days, and then once back in So Cal to Oklahoma City/Norman/Tulsa at the invite of my nephew, Dari Nowkhah, lead anchor for the SEC Network, for the “OU entering the SEC” celebratory events on July 1st.
Tomorrow, I will be having another PET scan designed to gauge the effectiveness of round #2 on my numerous tumors and help determine exactly what’s next for me treatment wise beginning in early July. Right now there are three possible next step options….(1) continue with round #3 of ifosfomide at the Todd Camcer Institute in Long Beach (2) enter into a “sarcoma related” trial at the Sarcoma Oncology Center of the Cancer Center of Southern California in Santa Monica, or (3) begin the re-entry of “cytokine” protein enriched “natural killer T cells” at the Chan Soon-Shiong Institute for Medicine (CSSIFM) in El Segundo. Thanks in advance for your prayers that this PET scan will reveal continued improvement and a clear path forward for further effective cancer fighting treatment.
Meanwhile over the past month despite the aforementioned treatments and side effects, I have continued to cherish each precious day, stay positive, and be as active as possible. We enjoyed our annual Mother’s Day family tradition of brunch followed by playing nine holes at Virginia County Club (VCC) despite wearing my chemo pump Fannie pack; dinner at home with our dear friends, Leif and Kimmy; Angel games despite their usual poor performance on the field; a rare LA Dodger game with my long time friend, Mike Joseph, and his wonderful girlfriend, Constance; and just yesterday, lunch with our close friends, Tony and Julie Gregory at Pelican Hill, after Tony was honored by The Shea Center For Therapeutic Riding at the Montage in Laguna Beach the previous night.
I hope this journal finds each of you well and ready to enjoy a nice summer ahead. In a couple of more months, I will turn 68 and also celebrate three years of survivorship from my now Stage 4 Metastatic Synovial Sarcoma condition. Feeling so thankful for the fullness of my life, the promises of my powerful and glorious God, and for all of you that pour into Sheri and me with your encouraging thoughts, specific prayers, and devoted friendship. Love and blessings always to each of you.
2 Corinthians 4:16 “We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
