As the three of you know that read my occasional therapy, I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in April of 2018. I had surgery that May to remove my left eye and the cancerous tumor that had attached itself to my eye. At that time there was no statistical survival rate if it returned. It typically likes the liver and the lungs if it does metastasize. Anyway, I would have been told to get my affairs in order if it had come back in the following months.

From 2018 up unitl September 2024 I had been getting two MRI’s a year to see if the cancer had returned. That fateful September the results showed a spot on my liver. It was back. Treatable but not curable. Terminal. But that is not the story.

Throughout 2025, I drove to San Francisco every four weeks for my appointment with my oncologist, Dr Kim and get my immunotherapy infusion which I continue to do. I was also getting an MRI about every eight weeks in 2025. I am glad to say that the MRI’s are now quarterly. I am incredibly grateful to Dr Kim and my entire medical team as well as my friends and family that make this journey a little more palatable.

We are getting there. The treatment I am under is part of a clinical trial. I am essentially a lab rat. So much progress has been made on this cancer but this particular cancer is definitely not burdened with research dollars. It is very rare. Oh so grateful for the progress that has been made in the last 16 months and glad I am still here! My oncologist keeps mentioning the 5-7 year patients that are still kicking so we shall see.

Back to the lab rat - Subject 123XYZ. I don’t know that happy is the right word but was more than happy to be part of this trial. I hoped it worked and so far so good. But selfishly, I had lost sight of the bigger picture. Maybe the bigger picture was out of my left eye…..

The day after Christmas I was able to see my oldest, John, and his family. I was discussing my cancer, treatment and clinical trial with him. He said in so many words that my care and treatment may lead to a breakthrough that can save thousands. Hit me like a ton of bricks.

I brought this up at our Life Group this past week and was asked if I had thought of the trial in this way. Maybe at some level but not really, Shame on me. Not sure what God’s plan is but to tell my story - there is hope and joy - and hopefull lay the groundwork for helping others with this cancer through this clinical. My teeny tiny part. To the future when cancer is gone. Maybe not me………

Stay Strong, Be Kind, Be Humble & God Bless!