(Editor's note: This is the first post on Joshua' Isaac's blog alerting friends, family and the community about his ongoing battle with epithelioid sarcoma. He continually updates his blog. Meanwhile, the text from the first post is included to introduce readers to his plight. Please continue to follow his journey on his blog.)
My Cancer Fight Continues
March 14, 2009
On Tuesday March 18 I will begin an experimental chemotherapy to continue my fight against epithelioid sarcoma. I've been battling this cancer for more than 10 years. The fight began in 1998 when I had surgery and radiation to my left hand to remove the tumor. In 2004, it returned to my hand and I was treated with two different kinds of chemotherapy, radiation, and the amputation of my left hand.
Everything then went well until November 2007 when CT scans revealed some nodules in my lungs. We retested this past February and, in addition to seeing more activity in my lungs, we now have learned that this disease has picked up speed and spread to my scalp and pelvis.
Since this is an extremely rare cancer, there are no known protocols outside of the two chemotherapies I received in the past. And since those therapies have not been successful, we are going to begin treatment on March 18 of an experimental drug in clinical trial at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. We will be traveling down to Portland every three weeks for infusion.
Once again, Kim has truly been amazing through this rollercoaster ride we’re on. I could not think of anybody else I’d rather have with me. We're also so blessed to have the kids. We told Jacob and Sam about the cancer and drew a picture of my body and where the tumors were and talked about how the medicine is supposed to make the tumors go away. Jacob, now 7, took the picture and started crossing out the tumors and talking about how the medicine will work. A couple of days later Sam asked to see the picture again -- he is only four but he's taking it all in. And Sophie, at 9 months, makes everything better just by being there.
The other thing we feel blessed about is the community of friends and the support network that we have. As people want to know what they can do to help, all I can say is thank you. We’ll know more what we’ll need as we see how the chemo goes. And since we’ve been through this before we are not shy about asking for help. But for right now your thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement are appreciated.