July 5, 2016
by Patti Libert
“David's Journey With Cancer:'
“Yes, bad things happen to the best people.”
“Cancer does not discriminate.” This year, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the US. These facts and statistics are stated on the website of the American Cancer Society. Org.
David's Journey started in the summer of 2012. He had went through major knee surgery. After weeks of therapy, he was finally feeling better.
Then it hit, without warning... A major infection that required very strong antibiotics. These medications threw him into Anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening reaction, and was hospitalized immediately. At that point the Doctors told us that he may die within hours or a couple of days if their treatment didn't work.
He was diagnosed with “Steven Johnson's Syndrome.” This is a rare and life-threatening disease caused by an allergic reaction to a certain class of very strong antibiotics. (In his case) With strong determination, David did survive, but was very ill for almost 3 months.
We received a call in the fall of 2012 from a Doctor who had treated him at the hospital telling him that he needed to come in for a biopsy, with no explanation. So we complied. A liver scan and biopsy disclosed that David was in 4th Stage Liver Cancer. We were determined to beat this, so we set out on a mission to seek a Doctor who specialized in his type of Cancer. After weeks of calling and being turned down, (The Reason: We were told the reason was due to one of the side effects of chemotherapy was suicide) I told them “OMG Really? “ So, I called one of my previous Gastrointestinal Physicians. He gladly took David as a patient. He started him on Chemo that day. We thought we had a chance. I gave him all of his medications and injection treatments. David even had 3 transfusions. After a few months, we had good news. David was in remission.
But, that good news turned into devastation within a few weeks. Our Doctor gave us the bad news. His recent blood tests revealed that the Cancer had come back and that David was going to die. He was given up to 2 years, but that 2 years lasted only 4 months and 5 days. We signed up with Hospice of Miami County. I continued with round the clock care and meds until New Years' Eve of 2013. That was the night my world changed..... I kept a medication diary where David and I both wrote our thoughts about the “Journey” with Cancer. The notes that he wrote to me and himself cut through my heart and devastated me. But, parts of David's notes were beautifully written with love and respect and he encouraged me to live on.
Our Journey is not just one, but of many who are affected by this tragic disease.
My Cancer Advocacy started almost 40 years ago and continues. Please visit my YouTube page, "Cancer, & the Journey on.” Feel free to view the various Cancer tribute videos, or post your thoughts if you, or someone you know are a victim of Cancer, or want to share your story.
God Bless,
Patti Libert
“Yes, bad things happen to the best people.”
“Cancer does not discriminate.” This year, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the US. These facts and statistics are stated on the website of the American Cancer Society. Org.
David's Journey started in the summer of 2012. He had went through major knee surgery. After weeks of therapy, he was finally feeling better.
Then it hit, without warning... A major infection that required very strong antibiotics. These medications threw him into Anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening reaction, and was hospitalized immediately. At that point the Doctors told us that he may die within hours or a couple of days if their treatment didn't work.
He was diagnosed with “Steven Johnson's Syndrome.” This is a rare and life-threatening disease caused by an allergic reaction to a certain class of very strong antibiotics. (In his case) With strong determination, David did survive, but was very ill for almost 3 months.
We received a call in the fall of 2012 from a Doctor who had treated him at the hospital telling him that he needed to come in for a biopsy, with no explanation. So we complied. A liver scan and biopsy disclosed that David was in 4th Stage Liver Cancer. We were determined to beat this, so we set out on a mission to seek a Doctor who specialized in his type of Cancer. After weeks of calling and being turned down, (The Reason: We were told the reason was due to one of the side effects of chemotherapy was suicide) I told them “OMG Really? “ So, I called one of my previous Gastrointestinal Physicians. He gladly took David as a patient. He started him on Chemo that day. We thought we had a chance. I gave him all of his medications and injection treatments. David even had 3 transfusions. After a few months, we had good news. David was in remission.
But, that good news turned into devastation within a few weeks. Our Doctor gave us the bad news. His recent blood tests revealed that the Cancer had come back and that David was going to die. He was given up to 2 years, but that 2 years lasted only 4 months and 5 days. We signed up with Hospice of Miami County. I continued with round the clock care and meds until New Years' Eve of 2013. That was the night my world changed..... I kept a medication diary where David and I both wrote our thoughts about the “Journey” with Cancer. The notes that he wrote to me and himself cut through my heart and devastated me. But, parts of David's notes were beautifully written with love and respect and he encouraged me to live on.
Our Journey is not just one, but of many who are affected by this tragic disease.
My Cancer Advocacy started almost 40 years ago and continues. Please visit my YouTube page, "Cancer, & the Journey on.” Feel free to view the various Cancer tribute videos, or post your thoughts if you, or someone you know are a victim of Cancer, or want to share your story.
God Bless,
Patti Libert