March 15, 2017
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Immunotherapy.
As you all know, my son in law David who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, started the immunotherapy last Friday. For four years he has been under the care of the oncologist, and was treated first with radiation therapy and then the hormone therapy along with Exgiva for the bones. Dave has been feeling quite good mostly. His PSA which was 97 at the time of diagnosis (normal range 0.1 to 4.0), had come down to 0.5. He has been very positive always and continued to work, which meant traveling in his line of work. He played golf and continues to play that whenever we get a good day here.
His PSA started climbing up slowly over the last five or six months. It was 4.0 at the last check up, and the oncologist thought that instead of chemotherapy, he should have the benefit of Immunotherapy. The good cells (immune) are harvested out of his blood, and after the phoresis, which takes about three or four days, are re injected into his system. These cells attack the cancer cells and the therapy continues every two weeks while he is monitored. This comes with some side effects, like tiredness and severe nausea, headache etc..
Dave was tired the first couple of days and slept a lot. But by the afternoon of the second day, he was feeling fit and fine, and not nauseous at all. He ate very well about which I was ecstatic. I had planned to go back to Chicago last Thursday to be with Eunice, and help her and return on Saturday night. I had called Saadi and asked if we all could meet on Sunday the 12th, so we could have her birthday (yesterday the 13th) dinner at our home. but Saadia had said that her birthday was the farthest from her mind, because of the treatment Dave would have got on Friday and she didn't know how he would be feeling..So, I had cancelled my trip to Chicago. Of course Eunice didn't want me to come and wanted me to be with Saadi and give her my support. I am glad I stayed back, and so glad that Dave had a good first session. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. I thank you all with a humble heart, full of gratitude for the outpouring of love you have shown towards my son in law. Blessings to all of you.
We did celebrate Saadi's birthday yesterday. and the day before. I made some Indian food and took it over to her place on Saturday, and gave her the gifts yesterday.
Comments (3)
First a Happy Birthday to Saadia! I hope she enjoyed the celebration and gifts. Secondly I'm hopeful that the immunotherapy works for Dave. It has shown great promise in the treatments for many types of cancers. My former boss patented a Prostate Cancer Vaccine. It has yet to make it to phase 1 trials... I will redouble my prayers for Dave and for Eunice too! Stay well!!
Thank you for sharing. Hope that the rest of the treatments will go as well for David. My son in law's father is due to start radiation for prostrate cancer soon. He was to have something done today in preparation, but instead had to have unexpected surgery for a detached retina. I expect he's quite a bit older than David. I will keep praying for your loved ones.
So sorry. Praying there will be healing and rest for David. Life is sad in so many ways and yet happy too. God bless your family with his complete healing!
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