I write to report that I am incredibly the happiest I've ever been. Doesn't that sound crazy! Perhaps it relates to the freedom I now have to move thoughtfully day to day, to spend more time in mediation and contemplation. I enjoy friends and simple things, not needing much. The good thing about a terminal diagnosis is that it keeps you in the present moment. Future plans and future thinking disappear, and this leaves me in the beautiful present. It may sound silly, but I feel a bit guilty knowing most of you are trudging off to work every day, and have family responsibilities too.
HEALTH UPDATE – I have been fairly healthy with limited pain. Recent scans showed that the cancer is moving slower than predicted. The doctor seemed pleased but befuddled. I believe my “success” comes from a combo of happiness and cannabis oil, which I restarted once I began to progress. I will remain on the study drug (CO1686) until I progress a bit further. We are waiting for Nivolumab (Opdivo) to become FDA approved so I can switch to it as my final drug. NIvolumab will be a “Hail Mary” option for me (<20% success rate) but I am comfortable trying it because it is not chemotherapy, instead it is immunotherapy that (if it works) activates my own immune system to fight the cancer. With Nivolumab I will finally be free of chemo side effects and may recover some energy, and that would make me happy-er.
HEALTH UPDATE – I have been fairly healthy with limited pain. Recent scans showed that the cancer is moving slower than predicted. The doctor seemed pleased but befuddled. I believe my “success” comes from a combo of happiness and cannabis oil, which I restarted once I began to progress. I will remain on the study drug (CO1686) until I progress a bit further. We are waiting for Nivolumab (Opdivo) to become FDA approved so I can switch to it as my final drug. NIvolumab will be a “Hail Mary” option for me (<20% success rate) but I am comfortable trying it because it is not chemotherapy, instead it is immunotherapy that (if it works) activates my own immune system to fight the cancer. With Nivolumab I will finally be free of chemo side effects and may recover some energy, and that would make me happy-er.