About My Left Hand
In the cancer movie, My Left Hand, Joshua Isaac, a husband and father to two young boys, documents his experience dealing with reoccurrence of epithelioid sarcoma—a rare, cancerous tumor initially found in the palm of his left hand six years prior. He explores his emotions, doubts, fears, and faith in God and Judaism as he endures chemotherapy, radiation, and the amputation of his left hand. Through a dark descent into the trials of a cancer patient, the film ends by ultimately celebrating life.
About Joshua Isaac (director/producer)
A corporate communications writer for 10 years, currently at Microsoft Corporation, Joshua has been expressing himself creatively throughout his life. Several pieces of his prose and poetry have been published in small journals and publications. This is the first film for this Seattle native who is married to wife Kim and has two young sons Jacob and Sam and a brand new baby daughter Sophie. Joshua has been cancer-free for 25 months.
About Stephen Sadis (editor)
Working nationally on features, documentaries, commercials and corporate projects, Stephen's film and video experience spans 20 years, and has led him to start Sadis & Vaughn, a full-service production company. A multifaceted director, editor and director of photography, Stephen's Seattle-area upbringing has sparked the production of five Northwest documentaries that have earned numerous awards and have been broadcast across the country on PBS and cable.
About Kevin Thornton (original music)
Currently living in Baltimore, Kevin turned his creative talents toward songwriting after a prolific and building body of work as a writer and poet. He wrote the words and music for four songs used in my left hand and co-wrote one song – My Cancer – with Joshua. His son Sean plays guitar on all four songs as well. A public relations professional for Constellation Energy Group, Kevin and his band Nation of 3 have performed at venues throughout Maryland.
About epithelioid sarcoma
Of the approximately 1.3 million new cancers diagnosed each year in America, fewer than one percent, or 10,000 cases, are sarcomas. Of those, only one percent, or roughly 100 cases each year, are epithelioid sarcoma. So rare, no one knows what causes these malignancies. Nor has a cure been found. The five year survival rate is estimated at 50 percent.