Five years

My final blog and thoughts...

It was five years ago today, August 25, 2007, that I was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer. Six doctors said I'd be dead within a year and I'm still here.

I wish Jeff, Sid, Melissa, Gary, Mr. Sherman, Liz and Farrah were still here.

If I told you the number of cancer patients and their loved ones I've talked to over the past five years, you wouldn't believe it. I can hear the panic and confusion in their voices. If I get to meet them, they all have the same look of absolute fear in their eyes.  I had it too.

I tell them all what Farrah said to me in Germany:

"Never, ever stop fighting. Never give up!" 

Then she doubled her fists and held them like a boxer and punched the air.

About five minutes after I was diagnosed and told by the doctor to get my affairs in order, I came out and told my wife I had stage 4 throat cancer. As we took the long walk to the elevators I was very quiet and my wife was crying and asking questions. She finally said, "Say something!" and I said, "It's a bad day for cancer."

I was scared but determined to beat it and we did.

You notice I said, "we" beat it. You can't do it by yourself. I had a great support system of family, friends, the best doctors, God and Charlie. I truly would like to thank everyone for their good thoughts and prayers while I was sick.

I don't really know what to say about my wife, Vinnie, who was by my side every step of the way. Honestly, she saved my life.

The chemo question

The last eleven cancer patients who have contacted me have all said the same thing. They don't want to do chemotherapy. I don't blame them. Then they ask me if I know any other alternative treatment. 

Well, I'm not a doctor, and I've never even played one on TV. But I do know this: there are certain cancers and at certain stages that one needs to do chemo.  I, for example, was one of those patients who needed to receive it. However, it all gets down to the approach and the system and country you're in.  In the States, I had chemo every week for 9 straight weeks.  In Germany I only had chemo 3 times in 8 weeks. So when I'm asked about alternative treatment I always tell them to do extensive research and find the treatment that you believe is the right one for you. 

A cancer patient sent me this:

"An Italian oncologist, Dr. Tullio Simoncini, has had a very high success rate treating patients with bicarbonate of soda.

"He has a website at www.cancerfungus.com."

I'll say it again:  Take charge of your medical path. Be proactive and you decide what is right for you.

I had "new" cancer test three years ago

Blood test to spot cancer gets big boost from J&J
Associated Press/AP Online
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE
BOSTON - A blood test so sensitive that it can spot a single cancer cell lurking among a billion healthy ones is moving one step closer to being available at your doctor's office.
Boston scientists who invented the test and health care giant Johnson & Johnson will announce Monday that they are joining forces to bring it to market. Four big cancer centers also will start studies using the experimental test this year.
Stray cancer cells in the blood mean that a tumor has spread or is likely to, many doctors believe. A test that can capture such cells has the potential to transform care for many types of cancer, especially breast, prostate, colon and lung.
Initially, doctors want to use the test to try to predict what treatments would be best for each patient's tumor and find out quickly if they are working.

That's funny, I had that test done three years ago.

Hey, maybe next year we're going to invent a chemotherapy sensitivity test... Oh, wait a minute, I had that done three years ago too.

PS. I'm doing great. Scans are clear and I've gained 7 pounds... in a year.

Maintenance and Michael Douglas

Long time no blog. I've been taking some new holistic medicine. It's called Agaricus Phalloides D4. It's extract from a poisonous mushroom. This homeopathic medicine has been real successful in treating all kinds of cancer including head and neck cancer. I take 15 drops three times a day. You should only take this for four weeks, then off. I have one week left.  Even though I don't have cancer or a tumor, my doctor in Germany wants me to take this as maintenance to make sure the cancer doesn't come back.

Doctors here in the States don't think like that. As far as my doctor in Los Angeles is concerned, I'm in remission, I'm cured. I am-- but there's no preventative maintenance treatment at all.

A lot of people have contacted me about Michael Douglas. I don't know Mr. Douglas, but I got all of the information on the Klinik in Germany to a friend of his. I saw him on the David Letterman show. I wish I could talk to him. I know what his treatment is. I started the same treatment before I left for Germany. I have never been that sick in my life. Had I stayed here and continued with the full radiation, twice a day, 20 minutes a session, for seven weeks, I honestly believe I would not be typing.

Michael Douglas said he's only had one week of treatment, but after week three... forget about it.

He is in my prayers.

I've had a few emails from people who have heard that I'm sick again. I'm not. I'm actually very healthy.

I haven't been this healthy since birth! 

I must still be here for a reason

I was scanned last Thursday and everything was clear.  So now I have another scan in October and one in January.  When those are clear then it's once every six months.  I'll never get used to going in that tube.  I can't breathe in those things. 

I had a little talk with my doctor after he gave me news that my scans were clear. He mentioned that I'm the only one who's still here from a group of us who were sick together.  I asked him why he thought that happened. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and really didn't say anything... I don't know either. I must still be here for a reason. I know it's not photography.  I took that picture in my car today.

I think cancer is scared to death of me

I finally had the port removed from my chest.

The port was a small medical device beneath the skin, through which drugs and chemo could be injected and blood samples taken out without the hassle and pain of a typical “needle stick.”  Saying goodbye to that port last Wednesday was last thing I had to do to really put all this behind me and move forward to tell others what I've learned in my two and a half years of battling and beating cancer... twice.  

A friend of mine asked if I thought it was gone for good. I know it is. Honestly, I think cancer is scared to death of me.

Here's something I want to pass on: There’s a new cancer medicine in trials called CV247. 

CV247 was developed by Dr. John Carter, a veterinary surgeon.  CV247 stops the spread and growth of tumors rather than killing them.  The trials were started with cancer patients at the oncology unit in Cambridge, England.  Some of the patients are still alive because their cancer was in the early stages and are still on the medication.

CV247 is holistic. It includes sodium salicylate, copper, manganese and vitamin C. 

This is really promising news.

Awesome news

I met with my doctor from Germany yesterday. I never thought I would or could get excited about anything that has to do with medicine or treatments, but she told me about awesome news coming out of Europe about cancer and immune system treatments:

"Immunotherapy with the trifunctional antibody removal

leads to significant elimination of tumor cells

from malignant ascites in ovarian cancer"

That was the headline from the results of the first phase of a study in 2005. After phases 2 and 3 were completed, the results were so amazing that last April, the European Commission approved a drug called Removab for the treatment of malignant ascites. A few weeks later, Removab went on sale in Germany and was subsequently introduced to other European countries.

Removab is the first of a number of new drugs that use the body’s own immune system to help fight the tumor cells spread by “malignant ascites,” a condition in which fluid containing cancer cells collects in the abdomen.  It’s common in ovarian, pancreatic, colon, lung, breasts and gastric cancers.

How do I know? I looked it up.

Here are a couple of site to read so you can see for yourself:

“Trifunctional Antibody Catumaxomab Kills Cancer Stem Cells”

“Removab Approval: Proof-of-Concept for Technology Transfer in Germany”

Gene therapy

A friend of mine is on the list to go to Manchester, England for gene therapy. The results in the gene testing testing period were pretty amazing-- in fact incredible when it came to brain and lung cancers.

It's really cool how this works. They take your blood and remove t-cells. Then they alter the t-cells genetically so they can seek out and isolate the t cancer cells and kill them. They clone the cells or make thousands of them over a few weeks, then inject them back into the patient. The bad cells are replaced with functional cells.

I guess it could ultimately mean no more chemotherapy or radiation or operations. And that’s something to think about.

Cancer dream

Last night I had a cancer dream.  I've had a couple in the past, but this one was seemingly so real. I woke up at 3:30 this morning in a panic, feeling my throat and checking my saliva for blood.  And of course it was the worst of cancer in this dream. I haven't really talked about the aftereffects-- psychologically, that is-- of having this disease.  Even though I got lucky and beat cancer, I still find it hard to comprehend what I went through and that I'm still here.  Honestly, I sometimes feel guilty that I survived while so many of my friends didn't.

Another fine mess

It's one thing to listen to the news and watch all the Sunday morning political chat shows; it’s another to actually read and digest the healthcare bill. If you do, you'll find it's a mess. If you're a Democrat, I'm sorry. If you're a Republican, I'm sorry. I always thought your heads were buried in the sand. My bad. That's not where they're buried at all.

I have one question: How do you people sit down?

This was sent to me by my friend Monica: 

Hi Brett,

After reading your latest blog, I decided to take the "Brett Hudson Challenge." Wow. “Where's the reform?” is an understatement! The two things that caught my eye on the first page: 

* Purpose: In the nature of a substitute. 

* To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the first-time homebuyers credit in the case of members of the Armed Forces and certain other Federal employ-- politicalese --and for other purposes. 

Brett, this bill is more of an overhaul of the federal statute defining the federal tax code. The health care system will become just another tax that we must pay.

This is my favorite tax so far:

SEC. 9017. EXCISE TAX ON ELECTIVE COSMETIC MEDICAL PROCEDURES.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new chapter:

‘‘CHAPTER 49—ELECTIVE COSMETIC MEDICAL PROCEDURES

‘‘Sec. 5000B. Imposition of tax on elective cosmetic medical procedures.

‘‘SEC. 5000B. IMPOSITION OF TAX ON ELECTIVE COSMETIC

MEDICAL PROCEDURES.

‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is hereby imposed on any cosmetic surgery and medical procedure a tax equal to 5 percent of the amount paid for such procedure (determined without regard to this section), whether paid by insurance or otherwise.

‘‘(b) COSMETIC SURGERY AND MEDICAL PROCEDURE.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘cosmetic surgery and medical procedure’ means any cosmetic surgery (as defined in section 213(d)(9)(B)) or other similar procedure which—

‘‘(1) is performed by a licensed medical professional, and ‘‘(2) is not necessary to ameliorate a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or disfiguring disease.

‘‘(c) PAYMENT OF TAX.—

‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The tax imposed by this section shall be paid by the individual on whom the procedure is performed.

‘‘(2) COLLECTION.—Every person receiving a payment for procedures on which a tax is imposed under subsection (a) shall collect the amount of the tax from the individual on whom the procedure is performed and remit such tax quarterly to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as provided by the Secretary.

‘‘(3) SECONDARY LIABILITY.—Where any tax imposed by subsection (a) is not paid at the time payments for cosmetic surgery and medical procedures are made, then to the extent that such tax is not collected, such tax shall be paid by the person who performs the procedure.’’.

(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters for subtitle D of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting after the

item relating to chapter 48 the following new item:

‘‘CHAPTER 49—ELECTIVE COSMETIC MEDICAL PROCEDURES’’.

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to procedures performed on or after January 1, 2010.

If this bill is signed by Christmas, it is a present that I am not looking forward to opening... EVER!

Love,

Monica

Another dear friend sent me an email. She said she doesn't agree with everything in the healthcare bill and that she knows the bill is political and partisan. But she thinks that if it doesn't pass this time, it will years before any healthcare reform is attempted again.

Where's the reform?

I’ve started to read portions of the 2,100 page healthcare reform bill. A half a trillion dollars in Medicare cuts, 400 billion dollars in new taxes and higher insurance premiums.

Reform?

I don't think so.

Pay attention, people. Remember, this is our country.

Politics as usual

If you’re following “The Great Healthcare Debate," read between the lines and you’ll realize it has little to do with healthcare at all. It's all about raging. Partisan raging. Democrats and Republicans jockeying for political advantage. It's not about saving lives, it's about saving their seats and getting re-elected. Just listen to the politicians bark along their party lines and it’s clear that not one so far has experienced the truth of our system.  An example? This item from the Associated Press:

“Carly Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard Co. chief executive, breast cancer survivor and a Republican candidate running for the Senate seat from California now held by Democrat Barbara Boxer, delivered the address. She said that the recommendation on mammograms was an early taste of what could happen under the Democrats' plan.

"’We wonder if we are heading down a path where the federal government will at first suggest and then mandate new standards for prevention and treatment,’ Fiorina said. ‘Do we really want government bureaucrats rather than doctors dictating how we prevent and treat something like breast cancer?’"

What she doesn't know or didn't experience herself is that insurance companies already do that. What's the difference if it's government bureaucrats or Blue Cross bureaucrats?

There is no difference.  

Insurance companies dictate what they’ll pay for, therefore they dictate treatments. I can't believe I actually used the word “therefore.”

Attitude is the best medicine

With all the talk about medicines and costs, pharmaceutical companies and health care reform, I realized this morning that I’d overlooked something that’s so very important-- and doesn't cost a penny. Pharmaceutical companies don't control it and insurance companies can't refuse this treatment.

I was reminded by one of the many cancer patients I correspond with. She brought up something I’d said to her over a year ago:

"Your positive attitude will help cure you. No matter what any doctor says, it’s of the utmost importance in beating this disease. It's the strongest medicine that God gave us: Our will to live."

Yes, I know that it’s easier said than done. Cancer and the effects of the medicines needed to fight it can, and for the most part, do kick your ass, and there are times you fear you're losing the fight.

However, to quote Napoleon Bonaparte:  

"He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat."

Death card

I was talking to my brother Bill on the phone a couple of days ago about something that I think should be addressed in this great healthcare debate. I know this may sound crazy to some people, but I think you'd agree with me if you’ve been told to go home and get your affairs in order because you'll be dead within a year. I honestly think that once you are given that diagnosis, you should be able to seek out any treatment or medicine in the world, whether approved in this country or not, and have it sent to you.

My brother said, “It'll never happen. How would they monitor it?”

I said, “Issue a ‘death card.’ When your medicine arrives at customs, give them your death card to swipe, your medical information will upload, and clear you to receive the medicine.”

Bill laughed at the term “death card,” then said, “That's a great idea...

“It'll never happen.”