Dave is home from Korea and I thought it might be easier to explain to his friends what's happening to me by pointing to a single blog post (this one). It'll also serve as a Coles Notes version for the whole sordid affair (so far).
- Noticed blood in urine in May 2023.
- My GP referred me to a urologist (Dr. Wong), who did a cystoscopy in July and a TURBT in August.
- The TURBT confirmed I had high grade Stage 2-3 urothelial bladder cancer.
- I went on cisplatin/gemcitabine chemotherapy Oct-Nov-Dec 2023 in preparation for bladder removal surgery (radical cysectomy) at the end of Feb 2024.
- The pathology of the removed bladder (plus prostate, plus lymph nodes, plus other miscellaneous parts) showed that the cancer had spread to at least one lymph node.
- I started on immunotherapy (nivolumab) for a year - ending in March 2025.
- After a year, a PET scan showed that there was a tumour/mass - about 2cm x 2cm - in my lower left pelvis.
- Options are limited, so I was enrolled in a trial for a combination of drugs (enfortimab vendotin and pembrolizumab).
- I completed four rounds of the combo therapy (immunotherapy plus chemotherapy).
- After round four, I had unexplained chest discomfort. Bad enough that it caused me to have Laura call my driver (ambulance) and take me to the hospital.
- I was checked out (including angiogram, MRI, ultrasound, ultrasound) and determined that I had immunotherapy induced myocarditis.
- The myocarditis has caused us to stop the combination drug trial completely (for now, will re-evaluate in a month or so). I'm on a heavy (70mg) dose of prednisone for three weeks, and then a taper for another five weeks).
Today, I'm just managing the side effects - mostly of the prednisone (hunger, weight gain, insomnia).
So you're all caught up. I feel pretty good right now - energy is still a little low, but I hope I'll get much more active in the days and weeks to come.
We're up in Whistler for a week starting tomorrow, so that should provide lots of opportunity for short walks. To the bakery.