Doctors don’t use the word “terminal” anymore unless they’re talking about a recent experience with an airport. When we met with Dr. Green at 21st Century Oncology this past Monday he shared that my biopsy confirmed that the lesions on my pelvis were cancer, meaning that cancer cells inside my prostate had spread. “This doesn’t mean you have bone cancer” he said. “You have metastatic prostate cancer”. Good to know I thought. “However” Dr. Green continued “There is no cure”. Turns out the only thing they can do is try to keep the cancer cells from growing. For right now I will receive an injection once every three months that treats my entire body including the prostate, the bone lesions, lymph nodes and any other place the cancer has spread to.
I got my first Lupron injection yesterday morning. Lupron is an anti-antigen that prevents my body from producing testosterone, the stuff my cancer feeds on. Dr Green says Lupron is effective for about two years. So what happens when the Lupron stops working you might ask? Well, then we look for another drug to take its place. Here’s where it gets a little tricky. I was warned not to go to the internet but that’s like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I’m not the kind of person that doesn’t do their homework so of course, I searched the net. I’ll spare you the details but the long and short of it is that their are a few studies and a couple FDA approved drugs that may add another six months or so.
Here are two things that give me hope. First, the medical field is evolving rapidly. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers found in men and a more effective miracle drug could come along any day. I plan to participate in any clinical trial I can find and will travel to whatever research center (M.D. Anderson, John Hopkins, Sloan-Kettering etc.) that is making headway in this type of cancer. Thank God for my Aflac cancer policy! The second and by far my greatest source of my hope is my faith in God. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in 1989 and have been growing in my faith and understanding of God’s character ever since. My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him and he will direct your path”. This is where I came up with “My Directed Path” as the title of this blog.
Your faith in God shines out to everyone you come in contact with. He will be with you thru this journey also. Prayers will continue for you my friend in Christ.
Thanks Chuck. We serve an awesome God!
Randy, I have known you and Mary a long time. You both have always been there for me and my family thru it all, and God was right there with us. He is still with us. I am praying for a miracle now…you are loved my friend. ?Denice
Thank you Denice. We’ve come a long way haven’t we?
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ” Matthew 6:27
Love you dad! God’s got this! Definitely one of my favorite scriptures also!
Thanks Chrissy. He’s got me right where he wants
My prayers are for you and Mary to lean on the Great Physician throughout this journey. Also that the miracle of God will be glorified through your blogs and with the faith you have in Him. We love you Randy!??❤️?
God bless my friend.
All travels are Christ led.
Fear not and have comfort in knowing you are a child of God.
Thanks Howard.
Vickie and I will pray for you!!
Thanks David.
Thank you for taking us with you on your journey. We are with you and are keeping the prayers flowing. Love you both so much.
Thanks Joni. Your prayers are coveted.
Well brother, it has taken me this long to reply. You are my good friend, a friend indeed, my coach and mentor.
I don’t like the news, I hate it as a matter of fact.
I pray for you every day and I ask our Father to heal you, to give strength to you and Mary.
Your path is not over.
I will chat with you later coach.
Thanks Keith. We serve an awesome God and although His ways are not necessarily our ways I will trust in Him.
Funny how that verse came to my heart when i was thinking of you last week. Keep the faith and positive attitude!!