Mile Marker #1

Hello Friends!

We have arrived at Mile Marker #1 of the race for John.  Each Mile Marker we will be including a different scripture. This mile is marked with the following, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

We have some updates for you that we are asking for your urgent prayer on.  The most critical right now is for God's crystal clarity on the path of treatment He wants John to pursue.  Below is some detail of those options which will more than likely help you understand more of why this is such a hard decision.  At this point, John is willing to pursue whatever option God makes clear.  We are now trusting in Him for clarity.

Originally John was scheduled to see the oncologist at the James Cancer Hospital in Columbus that specializes in melanoma next Tuesday, 2/10.  PRAISE JESUS for connections that helped get his appointment moved up to yesterday, 2/3.

At the appointment yesterday they talked to John about 2 main options to consider:
1. IL-2 - The Dr. recommended this option saying it is the best shot.  However, there are some very serious short term side effects/complications that could arise during the course of this aggressive treatment.  And it would require time hospitalized in Columbus.  Effectiveness rates are as follows: 4% curable, 10% no re-occurence for 10 years.

One cycle of this treatment would involve being in the hospital for 5-7 days in Columbus, 1 week off work at home, 5-7 days in the hospital in Columbus, 1 week off work at home and then possibly resume back to a normal schedule for the next 4 weeks of work.  They would possibly do this for 3 rounds and see what the results were to determine whether or not to do an additional 2 rounds.

2. IPI - This treatment would take place in Mansfield and would be outpatient.  So John could go home every night.  This treatment is to help shrink and/or stabilize the cancer.  It isn't known for having a cure result.  The effectiveness rate is 10% no re-occurence for 10 years.  Every few weeks he would go in for treatment and do a total of 4 doses.  There are also some very serious short and long term side effects from this option.  John will be meeting with the oncologist in Mansfield this Friday, 2/6 to discuss in further detail.

If he pursues either option 1 or 2 above, and there are no positive results, then they will consider PD1's (newer drugs fall under).  Insurance will only cover this after option 1 or 2 has first been tried.  The benefit to this treatment is that there are no side effects, 25% response rate, 75% disease control rate.  

3. Natural - The third option John is considering is not one that most MDs understand or agree with.  It is a holistic approach to treating cancer.  There are a few different places that have been researched and a meeting will be taking place this Thursday, 2/5 at a local option in Mansfield to discuss options of treating the cancer either 100% alternatively or combining the alternative with one of the options given by the Dr. at the James.  The good news is that there are options in the area that include mistletoe therapy as part of their treatment which has been used overseas for many years and has shown to have good results.  Mistletoe Therapy is part of a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins at this time which is very encouraging.  These steps need to be taken in order to be considered for FDA approval which then insurance would cover down the long long road.  For more information on this please visit the Believe Big website at www.believebig.org and go to the clinical trial tab.

Again, we can't thank you enough for your continued prayers, love and support!  If you haven't yet signed up for the prayer chain yet, please visit the blog at jgurneyfamily.blogspot.com and click on the Prayer Chain Link at the upper right of the page.

Much Love,

The Gooney Gurneys