We hope all is well and wish you the very best this holiday season. It's been a couple years since I last reached out to you with an update on my health and I firmly believe that your love, support, and the power of prayer have really helped to make a big difference for our family. A heartwarming thank you from all of us!

In early August 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma and after two successful surgeries in early October and December of 2021 I was cancer free until a recent biopsy of an inguinal lymph node came back positive two weeks ago for renal cell carcinoma. Based on experience, blood tests, scans, and symptoms my oncologist believes the cancer has spread to the peritoneal cavity, etc and the prognosis is poor.

Fortunately, I've been doing well and managing, for the most part, to maintain my normal routine. Many of you know that I believe strongly in the power of prayer and am a staunch believer in God. I do believe God can and may heal me from cancer and know that healing starts with believing and with your prayers. I started an anti-cancer medication called cabometyx a couple weeks ago. Cabometyx is not a cure for cancer, but do hope and pray to be one of those most fortunate few who go into remission for reasons that are not clearly defined by science. That's exactly why I'm soliciting you for good thoughts and prayers.

We are still in the process of exploring all of our options, including immunotherapy, etc. Your suggestions are also greatly appreciated and welcomed. Many of you know how challenging it's been for us living out of suitcases for almost three years since my diagnosis on a business trip. My dream of exploring the Pacific Northwest, as a territory manager with a promising startup electric battery technology company, went up in smoke after being diagnosed in a WA state emergency room with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma in August of 2021.

We are definitely not complaining because some wonderful things have happened to change our perspective on life and our relationships with people. Challenges can indeed be opportunities in disguise to grow and change, if we allow them to be. We recently decided to stay in Vancouver, WA and live close to our two oldest children (Melissa & Amanda) and three grandchildren. We plan to travel frequently to and from Folsom, CA to be with our other three children (Teresa, Angela, & Matt) and grandson.

I never thought the day would come that I would be actively pursuing, with my wife of 44+ years and our five wonderful adult children, in the planning of my passing away, but that's exactly what's going on right now. Let me be super clear here, that I have a tremendous will to live and am taking very assertive steps, every day, to do my best to stay alive and actually help create an even better quality of life than I had ever experienced consistently before. Your love, support, and prayers are helping to make a huge difference in making my positive outlook, in a very challenging situation, possible. I can't thank you enough!

As much as I wish I could see and visit with you in person I know that will likely not happen. I do hope that we can be creative and find other ways to connect, if you feel led to talk with me. I have no idea how my story will play out from here but know that I want the experience to be joyful and full of love and an opportunity to get real and be open and speak the valuable language that comes only from our hearts. Please don't be shy and let's make this a fun and memorable experience.

God bless and thank you for being an important part of my life.

 

Dave