Some Lab Work Results

I wanted to provide an update on what we know so far regarding the cancer and some indications about treatment. At this point, I have yet to meet with an oncologist. That will likely happen this week. I got lab results earlier this week which were positive for cancer in the fluid drained from my chest. In fact, the tests were done twice on two different samples.

Here is a list of the results specific to the cancer:

• Major type: non-small cell lung cancer

• Sub-type: adenocarcinoma

• Genotype: EGFR

• Mutation type: exon 19 deletion

There are some encouraging things about these results. There are preferred therapies used for this specific type of cancer other than chemotherapy and radiation. In fact, they are now the standard treatments for this type of cancer. I have not been told by a doctor yet that this will be my treatment, but my research indicates it is most likely. There are also immunotherapies that are highly effective against certain lung cancers.

This would likely spare me from the severe and systemic effects of radiation and chemotherapy throughout my body. The standard therapy right now for this type of cancer is tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. This is an oral medication that has far fewer side effects.

My hope is that with my dietary changes coupled with the advanced therapies all will go better than normal. Of course, all of this is subject to the results of the fully body PET scan I will have soon and my visit with the oncologist.

Here is one interesting fact about the PET scan I'll have done soon. They will inject me with a small amount of sugar to see where it goes in my body and should light up any tumors. This is because tumors need and love sugar. When the doctor told me about the sugar aspect of the test, it simply provided additional support for my decision to cut it out of my diet.

Fortunately, my vitals and other lab results are looking good. Heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, and blood work are all normal.

I hope you all have a great week. That is what I plan to do. My work load this week is quite full. We shall see how well I do with such a full work schedule. I’m certainly okay and comfortable asking for accommodations if I think they are necessary. My coworkers and managers have been so understanding and amazing, but I want to serve my clients also and deliver as much value to them and help them achieve their goals.

-Jeremy