Mid-August Update

Hey Everyone!

One thing I’ve learned is that I’m not too good at doing these updates, especially following up on them. Thanks for hanging in there with me as I hang in here.

What’s New with My Health

So, for those on the edge of their seats, the UCLA-Blue Shield game of chicken ended, and they’re playing nice now, so my health insurance still has me covered at UCLA.

The radiation therapy went well, and I bounced back within a few weeks. The good news was that CT Scans and cancer markers showed the tumor had actually shrunk.

My side effects are always kind of there, and while I didn’t think my neuropathy was getting that much worse, my oncologist thought it was significant enough to try and reduce the part of my chemo that aggravates it. It’s always disappointing when you have to change your therapy because you never know which part is the one keeping the cancer at bay. This whole experience has really been one of buying time.

Lately, a couple of my cancer marker readings have suggested some possible tumor activity. Because of that, we moved up an originally scheduled CT Scan from mid-September to Tuesday, August 19th.  I’m really grateful that UCLA was able to fit me in on such short notice.  If it turns out the tumors have grown or spread, we’ll have to figure out the next steps. I’ve already been on all three of the three FDA-approved chemotherapies.  So, it is what it is… and that “it” part can be scary sometimes.

Life Lately

Recently, in efforts to humanize this experience for myself and others, I’ve had in-person meet-ups with fellow support group members.  Even if we’ve “known” each other for months on Zoom, it’s really nice to finally connect face-to-face.  I had breakfast with Pat and her daughter, and another time, sat together with Ron, overlooking Manhattan Beach, just taking it all in and reflecting on what a crazy, taxing journey this has been.

On a related note, UCLA’s Hirshberg Foundation is hosting its annual cancer walk again this October.  Last year, I unexpectedly ended up walking the entire course – and it turned out to be one of the highlights of my year.  Having a challenge and meeting it felt really good! This year, we’re hoping to get a few people from our support group together for a group photo and maybe a meal afterwards.

I also recently watched parts of the Seena Magowitz Foundation Conference and was surprised to see that two members of our support group flew out to Milwaukee to attend. It was encouraging to hear about new research, treatment developments, and personal stories of long-term survivors.  It’s always nice to be reminded that they’re out there. I also got a better understanding of how KRAS-targeted treatments work (around the 1:20:00 mark) and, interestingly, found out that sports commentator Bob (“Mr. Baseball”) Uecker had pancreatic growths and some family history with pancreatic cancer as well.

Some Thoughts I’ve Been Having

Recently I came across an encouraging post on Instagram.  It got me thinking that through everything I’ve been facing, I’ve never felt like God wasn’t present or that we were abandoned. It’s still hard, but in my experience, that’s just life. Struggle and faith often live side by side.

Lately, I’ve also been reflecting on how much of life depends on things completely outside our control.  During a recent ultrasound, I was struck by watching and hearing my heart beating and  lungs inflating – both happening without any effort from me.  It made me realize how many things I worry about and how much I try to “control” things, and yet my own body quietly takes care of the most basic and essential tasks.  If I really were the control freak I sometimes wish I could be, I wouldn’t last a minute – there’s just too much to monitor.

So, I’m feeling especially grateful that God keeps my body running without any conscious effort from me. I’m glad that someone’s watching the shop, so to speak.

Prayer Requests

• For my CT Scan on Tuesday, 8/19/25, to go well and especially for wisdom and clarity for the techs and doctors interpreting the results.
• For good news – that the scan results will show shrinkage, stability, or at least slow growth, and that everyone involved has wisdom in determining how to further proceed. 
• For my body to get some peace and recovery. After nearly two years of chemo, it takes my body over a week to bounce back each time. Dealing with this cancer is a 7-day-a-week job.
• For peace for me, and for those who care for and support me.  This road is long, tough, and unpredictable and it’s hard to plan when you don’t know what’s next.

A Final Thought…

I just want to say something about the comparison game we all tend to play. Sometimes, when people start sharing with me what they’re going through, they’ll stop and say, “But, it’s nothing compared to what you’re dealing with.”  I know they are trying to be empathetic, but the truth is, comparing problems doesn’t bring peace or relief to anyone. Pain is pain and life is hard in different ways for all of us. What you’re going through matters – no matter how it compares next to someone else’s struggle.  Instead of measuring suffering, I think it is better to just trust God will meet each of us right where we are and help us through whatever we’re facing. Because at the end of the day, life is just life – and we all need grace to get through it.

Thanks again for your prayers and for letting me ramble….

P