Candidate for a cancer video

Gohan got a surprise call today from an advertisement agency about a video that it is making for El Camino Hospital. Evidently, Dr. Dormady has recommended Gohan as a candidate for an upcoming cancer video. Based on the script that the agency sent us, the video is about cancer patient's journey and dream, and there will only be a few patients featured in the video. Wow! What an honor! Dr. Dormady doesn't know Gohan's wishes or much about his personal life, but he must have seen something in Gohan that prompts him to recommend Gohan out of his 1000+ cancer patients!

Dr. Dormady is our trusted oncologist

When Gohan called me from his office to tell me this news, we both cried with happy tears because we believed it is the work of God and couldn't help but feel amazed. God surely knows how much Gohan wants to be His testimony of love and of His power of transformation. We believe that He is using this opportunity to encourage Gohan and to use him as His vessel (2 Timothy 2:21). We have been sharing our story in the Chinese community, now we may go mainstream. We realize that God can do so much bigger than what we can imagine!  (Ephesian 3:20)

There will be a phone interview next Monday to determine if Gohan's story will fit the video theme. Regardless of the outcome, we are grateful for the opportunity because it is a recognition of Gohan's transformation and fighting spirit, and also an evidence of God's love. We want to tell you this news firsthand, so you can share our amazement!

New Hair and Immunotherapy #2

Gohan has a perfect round head shape

Spring is here! Flowers are germinating, birds are making nests, and Gohan's hair is forming new 'shoots'!  Soft brown baby hair are growing steadily covering his head. Praise God for restoring his hair follicle.  We pray that restoration of his healthy cells and body functions is happening everywhere in his body.

Immunotherapy #2

Gohan received his immunotherapy #2 today. We felt a bit more relaxed because there were only one bag of drug to infuse, no steroid and no anti-vomiting drugs. We will get new scan every four treatments.  Dr. Dormady and Katie told us that Gohan is receiving Nivolumab (Opdivo) as a maintenance, therefore, like most of his NSCLC patients, we may see pseudo-growth of tumors in the first scan, but it will stabilize on the second scan.  What is most encouraging is that the drug will go through the blood brain barrier to attack the cancer cells in the brain! Maybe that is why Gohan is feeling less and less numbness on his fingers.

Dr. D highly encouraged us to go travel while on immunotherapy because Gohan will feel more energy.  Hopefully, Gohan can hike again soon.  For the past couple of months, he has been feeling short of breath when walking uphills.  So instead of going to Rancho San Antonio, we have been walking around the neighborhood. Thanks to Riley, we have met all of the dogs from our block. Now with Dr. D's blessings, it is time to plan for a family vacation!

First immunotherapy and Asia trip

First immunotherapy Opdivo infusion

On the day we arrived in Asia, our insurance company approved the immunotherapy treatment for Gohan. Apparently my call made a difference! I am a fierce advocate when it comes to treatment for my husband whom I love dearly.  It is comforting to know that when we returned to the US, Gohan would be able to receive the infusion.

Having skipped a treatment session, Gohan felt less fatigued and was able to enjoy our 10-day trip in Taipei, HsingChu and Shanghai. Our schedule was tight, but thankfully we were able to see family and friends in between Gohan's business meetings. Everyone was so kind to come see us on a short notice and every gathering was fun and joyful.  We savor the hometown foods that we miss, and with loving company at every meal B/L/D, Gohan's appetite significantly increased so he was able to gain more weight. While we were in HsingChu city for his work, we stayed at his 'second home', the Ambassador Hotel, where he had stayed for work 120 times, averaging 1 trip per month, over the course of nine years before he was diagnosed of cancer.  The hotel staff, from the general manager to the cleaning maid, know him like an old friend.

                                                          Family and friends we saw in Taiwan and Shanghai

With a mission in mind, at each gathering, Gohan shared the life lessons that he learned over the last two years. Everyone was touched and inspired by him. The highlight of our trip was an interview with NEEDs radio, an Internet radio station which has 14 million listeners across China and Taiwan. Being able to share our journey and God's greatness with so many people made the trip even more meaningful. We want to thank my sister Carol for connecting us with the station.

Radio interview and work in HsingChu 

Our visit to Shanghai brought back memories from when Gohan worked and lived there in 2004 and 2005. It was the darkest time of Gohan's career. The long hours and high stress at the startup company weighed on his shoulders as he walked back to his single occupancy apartment alone every night. When the company's funding started to deplete, company politics intensified and work became a white collar gladiator fight. The substandard living condition, the cultural shock and being way from his family made life extremely challenging for him. During the two years, he developed Hemifacial spasm disease that remains even today, and plagues him during waking hours. He came back with his liver virus flared up and with 'three highs' - 'high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides'. He also had shingles, a sign of compromised immune system. The worst of all, the experience left him with a wounded soul. Looking back, as a health care provider suggested, his cancer might have started then.

10 years have passed, the Shanghai cityscape has doubled in size, and it has become one of the 10 riches cities in the world.  Like the city, we have also grown, but in a different way. We see life from a different perspective and our spirit is stronger than ever. We have thrown away much baggage, and we have learned forgiveness. Hence, when we returned to China this time, we did not feel bitterness from painful memories. We saw white yulan, Shanghai city flowers, blooming among the skyscrapers, and a few birds flying across the smog, calling to each other. There was a group of elderly dancing in a small park, and Lala, my sister Monica's Labrador Retriever, played contentedly in their high-rise flat. We felt at peace.

A fresh look at Shanghai

On March 16, 3 days after we returned from Asia, Gohan received his first immunotherapy. The infusion and prep work takes 2 hours, half of the time chemotherapy takes. Before the infusion started, he was tested for thyroid functions to establish a baseline. We learned that immunotherapy attacks the thyroid in some patients, therefore, his thyroid functions needs to be monitored every other infusion. Less side effects than chemotherapy are expected, so we should have a better quality of life, which makes us hopeful and excited. We have so much we want to do and so many people we want to re-connect with. Don't be surprised if you see us in a place that you are least likely to expect us. We will live life fully.

Gohan & Jacqueline

Good scan report, immunotherapy delayed

Enjoying cherry blossom on his daily walk with Riley

We went to see Dr. Dormady today, both brain MRI and lung scan show stable disease.  As we learned through this journey, stable is good news! Dr. Dormady also confirmed what we learned from his staff yesterday that our insurance company United Healthcare is still reviewing our preauthorization for using the Opdivo, therefore we can't get the injection today.  It is a bummer. Dr. Dormady is very annoyed by the insurance companies' tactics of delaying coverage for cancer patients.  He said that Opdivo is $35000 per injection, more expensive than chemo, hence, the insurance company has been lagging in approving the drugs with all sorts of excuses.  He has requested for a peer to peer review with the overseeing doctor at the United Healthcare today, and he is confident with more push from both him and us, United will approve our case before we return from Asia.  I asked if we should do chemo instead today, he replied no need.  He assured us that Gohan's disease will not change within two weeks and encouraged us to enjoy the break from treatment.  

This is something we didn't expect, but come to think of it, this break comes timely as we are traveling to Asia for work and also to see family and friends. 

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

Thanks to be God, we will surely enjoy our trip and the 2 weeks break without treatment.  

Immunotherapy - check point pathway

The drug Opdivo that Gohan will receive for cancer treatment is based on immune check point pathway PD-1 and PD-L1 mechanism.  Here are twos videos that describe the mechanism in an easy to understand way.

Ready for the next weapon

 

Chemo round 2, #15

Just when we felt like we were running out of steam, we were re-energized by news of a new treatment plan proposed by our oncologist.  We are excited to report that Gohan has finished two more chemotherapies in February and is ready for his new regimen using Opdivo (Nivolumab), an immunotherapy drug the FDA just approved in October for lung cancer treatment.  Immunotherapy works by stimulating the patient's own immune system to attack cancer cells, a targeted approach that will cause fewer side effects than chemotherapy will. After 20 chemo treatments, 400 days of Tarceva, and 22 times whole brain radiation in the past two years, immunotherapy is a refreshing 'break' for us. The prospect of feeling energetic and being able to taste food again lifts Gohan's spirit. He's also relieved as, in order to manage his taste problems, I've been inventing 'tasty' foods from unconventional combinations of east and west ingredients, which sometimes only Riley (our dog) gladly eats.

He is one of nurses' favorite patients

The recent challenge that I have had is preventing Gohan from doing too much. After being 'dormant' for 9 months, he is traveling again for work. In Feb, he traveled to both Portland and Orlando. A business trip to Asia has also been planned for March. His condition is getting better, but going on trips during treatment takes tremendous strength and energy. I figure the only way I can make sure that he eats well and does not wear himself out to exhaustion (which he has a tendency to) is by going with him. Thus, he now has me as his personal assistant on every trip he takes, without choice :-). 

Inseparable partners on a business trip

Chairing ROLCC brother's conference of 300 people

Gohan's sense of balance was distorted by radiation treatment, but has improved enormously since, so our radiologist has allowed him to drive locally, while I continue to be his chauffeur for longer distances. We were not the best travel partners in the past, but now we are inseparable companions. Our relationship has deepened as we enjoy time together and cherish each day with Thanksgiving.

My sweetheart Gohan sends me roses every Valentine's day since we were married 33 years ago

Last but not least, Gohan is going to have a brain MRI and a CT scan on Feb. 29 to evaluate his cancer status. Would you pray for us to receive a good scan result? Please also pray that the biweekly immunotherapy starting on March 2 will work perfectly for Gohan as well! Thank you.

May God bless you!

Gohan & Jacqueline

Jacqueline's younger brother ChiaFon Lee comes to visit from Illinois

New Year New Hope

We are making good headway. The scan report from Dec. 31 revealed that the whole brain radiation has effectively stopped Gohan's brain cancers from growing!  More excitingly, the chemotherapy is working well for him, as evidenced by the shrinkage of his lung cancer. With the good news, we decided to continue with the biweekly chemotherapy for four more times before the next scan.

Consequently, Gohan has received two chemotherapy on Jan. 4 and Jan. 19. The blood reports after the chemo shows that a few indexes have dropped to borderline. The NP explained that the changes are expected of chemo and are not something we need to worry about.  Indeed, over the past two years, we have learned Matthew 6:34 is the best strategy when facing uncertainties. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.".  

Fighting cancer is taxing, to say the least. However visits from friends and family brighten our days. This month we have the pleasure of my younger sister Monica staying with us from Shanghai, with whom we visited Monterey while Gohan attended conference there. Lunch and outings with friends also boost Gohan's appetite and bring us laughters.  Furthermore, Gohan is determined not to let cancer stop him from serving others and doing what he loves. Hence, he is organizing our church's brother's conference for the 13th year!

For 2016, we have great hopes. We hope for NED (No Evidence Detected) as several new drugs are in the pipeline for lung cancer treatment. We also hope for more breakthroughs in our spiritual lives - to be humble, to be kinder, and to rejoice in tribulation (Romans 5:3).  

What is your hope for 2016? May your dreams come true.

Blessings to you!

Gohan and Jacqueline