Cancer!

By Curt Swarm

It’s been a rough year. At the age of 76, in less than 12 months, I have had prostate issues, neuropathy in my legs, a heart pacemaker, and now, cancer. Yep. I feel like a worn out old Ford truck — fix or repair daily. Thank God for good mechanics, I mean doctors.

Cancer was the furthest thing from my mind. Cancer was something other people had. There wasn’t much cancer in my family, so it wasn’t a hot topic around the Sunday dinner table. In fact, I was under the somewhat laughable belief that cancer was the result of a troubled mind, i.e., people who were full of resentments and spite got cancer. You know the spiel, “It serves him right. He led a life of evil and dirty deeds. Cancer ate him up!”

Thirty-five years ago, I gave up, out of necessity, alcohol, tobacco and mood-altering substances. I exercise daily, try to keep my weight under control, and practice a good Christian life. All of this combined, I thought, should pretty much ensure a long and healthy life. My life may still be long and healthy. I dunno. My cancer, at Stage 3, is relatively minor compared to some of the more serious cases.

The cancer started in my scalp, a red splotch the doctors call a lesion. A biopsy revealed that the lesion was neuroendocrine carcinoma. I was referred to the University of Iowa Hospital. In the interim between the referral and my appointment, Ginnie and I started drinking aronia juice every morning that farmer friends gave us. Lo-and-behold, by the time we got to U of I, the lesion disappeared. The doctors, and they are brilliant, were a little taken aback, but they forged on. After biopsies and two PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scans, their diagnosis was Merkel Cell Carcinoma, caused by UV rays (sunlight) on my scalp, that spread into the lymph nodes in my neck. Two-in-a-million people have Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Lucky me. (Everything happens for a reason.) Their recommended treatment was infusions of a new immunotherapy drug, Keytruda, that boosts the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Of course, there can be side effects. Their recommendation was three infusions, three weeks apart, followed by another PET Scan.

I had my first infusion, and it went well. The infusion center at the U of I is impressive. There are 40 infusion stations, and the staff treats you like royalty. I was a little sick after the first infusion, but nothing serious. The swollen lymph nodes in my neck are reducing in size and lesions disappeared.

Ginnie and I are continuing to drink aronia juice daily, in the hope that the juice, which is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, will work with the immunotherapy. They may counteract. We’ll see.

I recently participated in an art contest and reception for Louisa County in Morning Sun. There was a mixed media painting that I really liked, titled “Self Portrait at End of Treatment” by Judith Costello. I made up my mind that if I sold one of my sculptures that I had in the contest, I would buy the self portrait. Well, I sold a sculpture, “Myrtle the Turtle,” so I approached Judith with the offer to buy. She readily accepted and we had a nice chat about cancer treatment and recovery. She asked me how long it took for my infusions. I told her 15 minutes. She said hers took five hours. She also had radiation in addition to chemotherapy, followed by immunotherapy, like I was doing. She’s fully recovered now, and doing well.

I have her self portrait hanging in the spot where I meditate and say my morning prayers (the toilet, if you must know), asking for healing for me and others. I find her self portrait inspiring. We will whip this cancer together.

I appreciate all the prayers I have received from friends and strangers alike. Also, in case you’re wondering, drinking is not an option.

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com