Dear Friends,
It is never easy to hear or give news that is less than good. I am aware of this as I share with you the results of my latest PT Scan. Yesterday Donna and I journeyed to Portland to the Knight Cancer Center at the Oregon Health Sciences University to meet with my oncologist, Dr. Matt Taylor. He began by telling us that he was not happy with the scan as it revealed some tumor growth. He was sad and a bit angry at the cancer, and immediately took us through a diagram that explained to two liberal arts majors that my body is being told by my cancer to produce cells, cells that it does not really need, and cells that fuel tumor growth. Eye to eye I could feel his empathy and his concern. We have become friends and my cancer is personal to our family and him.
I will be entering a Clinical Trial of a new drug in cooperation with two existing drugs that have the potential to turn off the 'make cells' message my cancer is giving my body. There will be 140 of us in the study, and I am the first person at OHSU to enroll. Dr. Taylor said, "I believe this will work for you, but if it does not, we have other treatment options available." The study, in which Dr. Taylor and his mentor are primary investigators, will develop treatments involving BRAF inhibitors and the possibility for people like me that we may get additional years to live, learn, and love. The good news was that there is no tumor growth in my liver or kidneys. I sent an email to my children immediately and their love and concern, along with their Mother's, buoyed me up. I was a little sad yesterday but slept well last night and have regained my hope today. The only thing that rises before the sun is the love of God.
The news about the tumors did not shock me as I had felt some strange things going on in my stomach. I also had some bruising under my arms. The energy loss I felt required that I take two transfusions of two units each last week in order to go the the Women's College World Series with Sami in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When I said my prayers the night before meeting with Dr. Taylor, I asked God to continue to heal me, but if I did not get good news, I knew He would be with me. And He was. I view my cancer battle as a team event and the players are the Doctors, the Researchers, the medicine, God, and my family and friends. It is going to take all of us and I ask for your continued prayers and good thoughts. You all have been so wonderful, so caring, so loving...thank you! Please keep it up! My goal? God gets tired of hearing my name in prayer and heals me to free up some time to listen to the concerns of others!:)
Due to the efforts of Dr. Taylor and Dr. Wang to get me in for transfusions, I had a wonderful week at the softball World Series with Sami. We had talked about going to the event since she was a little girl just starting off playing softball. I was so fatigued I talked to her about not going, but she persisted and told me she would take care of me. She did. We watched up to four games a day, talked softball, strategized, and met some wonderful people. We met Alabama All American Haylie McCleney's Dad who said he and his family would pray for us. We were blessed as well to meet All American Emily Carosone's Dad and Sister who insisted on offering their prayers and a signed Auburn poster for our Corvallis Spartan Softball team. We had dinner with Coach Betsy Hipple and her partner. Betsy coaches two of our former high school players, Chloe and Madeleine, at Claremont Mudd Scripts College in Los Angeles. We also broke bread with Megan McDonald, one of Sami's Oregon Panthers travel ball teammates and Katie Reeves, our friend from Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis. Katie is the Head Coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan. Former rivals, they are now great friends. Naomi and Janet sat in front of us and we really enjoyed talking and laughing with them. Naomi is one of the nation's leading experts on child education and abuse issues. Janet is her business manager. Check out redclayvinegar.com to learn more about their great work with children.
My favorite memory of the week long event was when a UCLA player hit towering fly ball to left field with two outs and her team one run behind. Sami and I immediately held hands stood up and watched in wonder as the ball sailed over the left field fence. Sami was a little girl again, I was younger and cancer free, and the world had been put in perfect order by what I call The Church of Softball. We also visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial to the bombings that occurred. It added a note of realism to our trip and we met a wonderful man and three of his children there. When I went to get my Cancer Survivor shirt that was offered at the Strike Out Cancer night at the World Series, there was the teenage girl, still in uniform, standing next to me. Her Dad and I looked at each other with the knowing look the cancer family has for each other. It was very touching. Northwestern Mutual Life gave $20,000 that night to the Oklahoma Cancer Society. It made me proud that Hannah is doing an Internship with them this Summer in Portland!
I want to say one more thing about Dr. Matt Taylor to his family. He is so humble he probably won't show this to them but I hope he does. "Your Dad and your Mother's Husband spends a lot of time away from home. I want you to know what it means to those of us with whom your Dad is spending his time. In the scary world in which cancer patients and their families live, your Dad, your Husband, is a rock. He is hope. he is compassion. Whomever taught him how to interact with patients should receive an award and teach the skills to all Doctors. He may not attend every one of your games, your dance recitals, or your plays, but he is there in spirit and loves you all deeply. I don't know if I could have coped with my frightening disease without my family, my friends, and your Dad. He is a hero to me and an anchor in a scary sea of tests, infusions, and statistics. Thank you for sharing him with us. You are part of my healing and battle because you give up time with him so he can help us. Thank you, bless you, and please keep me in your prayers." Dr. Will Keim
That's all for now friends. Phase three of my treatment begins soon. Do not think for a second that your prayers are not being heard. I can feel them in my soul, and God does not turn His back on those who call out His name. For those of my friends who are not religious...just keep thinking positive thoughts and sending those vibes my way. It takes a village and I am thankful you are in my world.
Let's talk soon!
Will
