Medical Update — John Drage | Living with Brain Cancer

Amy and I arrived in Houston late Tuesday night, March 5. We had our first appointment with Dr. Rebecca Harrison and her team the next day at MD Anderson, which was enormous. There may be 10 major buildings to this massive cancer hospital. We talked all about the treatment options, they did a physical exam and we did a handful of tests.

MD Anderson wanted to start over with evaluating all the pathology slides. The slides did not get here as fast as we had hoped, which made things go a little slower. In addition, MD Anderson looks at many aspects of this cancer that others do not. This also takes more time. Do you see a common thread here?

Our big decision we have faced this week has been whether or not we participate in a clinical trial. After hours and hours of conversations with key people, prayer, and making a pro’s and con’s list, we decided to do the Atezolizumab Immunotherapy clinical trial. If you want to see the pros and cons list, I would love to share it with you. Writing the list, as I have done before on different issues, and have encouraged many others to do, was so helpful. This therapy will be an IV infusion every two weeks for a year. Coming back to Houston every two weeks for one day will be a challenge, but we think well worth it.

We met the radiation doctor and his team this last Tuesday, March 12. Dr. Paulino, his resident, and the nurse were fantastic! We discussed everything about how this would work and then crafted the mask that I will wear for the 30, 15 second targeted blasts of radiation over the next 6 weeks. I will take an oral chemo pill at this time too, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Presently we are scheduled to begin on March 25, but are appealing to begin March 20 so Amy and I can attend the Collegiate Leaders/Pastors Conference, April 30 – May 2.

In addition to the Radiation, Chemo, and Immunotherapy, I am doing the Keto diet so as to starve the brain cancer of glucose. It has been challenging but worth it and allows me to take part in the fight. Whether it helps or not, I like doing something rather than just passively going to the doctor. I am also amping-up my physical training to prepare to run a couple Half Ironman races in the late summer and early fall with a couple of my sons. I know this probably sounds crazy, but I feel very healthy right now except for these nasty cancer cells hanging out in my brain. Exercise is good for my long term fight, I feel better when I exercise, and a scheduled race keeps me motivated even more. Maybe I am a little crazy, too. Everyone I have told about me racing a half Ironman has laughed!

Our experience here has been very, very good. Even though it is way slower than we had hoped it would be, God is beautifully getting His way by slowing us down. I find it sweetly ironic and funny that He would slow us down in this way.

Amy and I have felt so encouraged by your support over the last three weeks. We have the best friends! The blog project continues to be so much fun, and such a great outlet to express all our thoughts and reflections during this time. I will also continue to keep you updated on the blog with all future medical and treatment updates.

We love you!