Third Time Will be the Charm - A Cancer Update

This is not the post I wanted to write.

I had wanted to write that my scans were all clear and I was in remission. But I can’t.

My scan from a week ago (April 21) shows that my cancer is still present. Thankfully, it seems to be only present in two areas of my abdomen and the doctor feels I have a low level of disease. However, the fact that it remains present means I have a very stubborn disease.

We met with the medical team today (Friday) to review the next steps which will be Car-T Cell Therapy. In order to receive this treatment, I will be enrolled in a medical trial that is focused on producing Canadian-engineered Car-T cells. Go Canada!

It is similar to a stem cell transplant with one marked difference and that is they are focusing on my T cells instead of stem cells. On the first day, they will harvest my T cells and send them to Vancouver, British Columbia to be re-engineered into special ops forces that will hunt down and destroy my cancer cells. It will take about 10 days for my T cells to be re-engineered. Then I will have 3 days of chemotherapy which will suppress my immune system so that my body accepts the modified cells. After that, they will reinject my T cells (special ops forces), which will begin the process of hunting down and destroying any cancer cells. After reinjection, I will likely be admitted to the hospital for approximately 7 days. For the remainder of the recovery, I will have daily visits to the hospital for monitoring. Throughout this time if I catch an infection, or need a blood transfusion, I will be admitted to the hospital.

Please send all the strength, love, energy, prayers, and courage you can to help us get through this next fight. I am again in the battle for my life and I am going to win. My newest slogan is “Third time’s a charm!” and of course, the old faithful slogan continues to be, “WE’ve got this!” I believe it takes a village to raise a child and it will take a village to battle my cancer.

This will be the LAST of my bad news letters. This time the treatment is going to work. I am going to become one of the very first Car-T Cell bloggers. After which, I will be cancer free and can go back to living a normal life complete with running a house, having a job, and caring for my family.

Big hugs, C