Hello friends, family, patients, and others following my updates.
I have good and bad news from the recent Mayo Clinic consults in Minnesota last week April 15-19, 2024.
First the bad news, tumor cells have extended further into blood vessels that supply the stomach, small intestines, and spleen. This means that surgeons cannot remove the tumor. I will not have the Whipple surgery at the Mayo Clinic to cure the cancer. I must be straight-forward, this was a huge emotional blow to my wife and family. We shed too many tears to count last week.
Now the good news, the main tumor shrunk by 30%, the tumor marker CA19-9 came down from over 200 at peak down to 100. The radioactive glucose uptake on the PET scan reduced to normal. The CT scan shows dead/necrotic tissue in the tumor. This means we’ve had an excellent response to the main body of the pancreatic cancer.
Since the surgeons have taken surgical cure off the table, we must change tactics and move to the next step which is radiation therapy. This is combined with oral chemo medicine and the combination is hence called “chemoradiation.” Fortunately, while in MN they worked me in to see their top radiation oncologist who has published over 175 research papers. I was tumor mapped, and setup to the radiation protocols, computer algorithms, and had my tattoos placed for alignment to the radiation machine when I go back out there. This process took some time, but saves some crucial steps so that upon return we proceed directly with radiation treatment to blast the cells that continued to grow.
My treatment is planned for April 29th through May 17th. Final treatment is on my 51st birthday, and this feels like a good omen. Following radiation therapy, I will receive more chemotherapy infusions and take oral chemotherapy daily in order to maintain tumor suppression. My team feels this offers me the best chance for long-term remission. Using these protocols, patients can live many years to decades.
My wife and I remain hopeful that I can achieve similar results. But unfortunately, it seems that I will be living with cancer for the long-term. I will pursue additional consultations at John’s Hopkins in Maryland and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, in order to see if their surgeons have success dealing with this type of locally advanced cancer.
I’m sorry to bear the news no one wanted to hear, but on the bright side we still have many options to contain the spread. I am not giving up and will continue the fight.
We appreciate all of your ongoing support, prayers, and well wishes.
Sincerely,
Adam L.
Dr Lauer. My heart is broken for you that you are dealing with this horrible cancer. You are almost exactly the same age as my son, and as you know we dealt with my husbands cancer all last summer. You listened patiently to me at my last annual exam...about our horrible journey through all that. I was so grateful for your kindness and understanding. Shortly after my visit, i received your letter to all of your patients describing your own cancer diagnosis. Now I hold you and your family in my thoughts and heart every single day. Stay strong and assertive and take strength from the love of your family, patients and colleagues. You will get through this.
Adam & Family, We are so sorry for the disappointing news you received.... We continue to lift you up before the Great Physician in prayer as you navigate the next steps. Remember, we are just around the corner and will drop everything to help if needed. Lots of love from the Norsworthys
Adam, God made you a healer for a reason. If anyone I know can navigate through this labyrinth, it's you. You are supported by so many people. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other, prayers and thoughts - all of this with Love and you're safely in the hands of Providence.
I'll be praying for you and your family during these 3 weeks, Doctor Lauer. Also, your friends at Calvary Chapel will be lifting you up in prayer, asking the Almighty to heal you and use the incredible staff at the Mayo Clinic, giving them wisdom and skill to squash this cancer.
Prayers as you start your treatment Monday. Mary Stuart