My first bout with my kidney took place in June 2012. I lost my right kidney to cancer. That was just over ten years ago. The doctor felt that I would be fine. The cancer shouldn't return. I was relieved and had a new lease on life.

My next health problem was COVID. I was in a medically induced coma, medically paralyzed, and on the ventilator for 21 days. I lost an entire month of my memories. God answered prayer and gave me more life to live. I came home from the hospital on June 19, 2020. God gave victory over it all.

Then on June 30, 2021, the doctors told me the cancer was back. This time it was metastatic, meaning it had spread. I had several tumors. One was the size of my clenched fist, and there were others of different sizes. 

As of today, it has now been one year since I have been receiving cancer treatments. I take an infusion every 28 days, costing over $70,000 each month. I take a pill valued at $1,100 each day. 

Nivolumab is a targeted therapy. It is a human programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody. My infusion is Opdivo 480 mg.. You can get more info here.

My total care per year costs insurance about $1,500,000. Can you believe that? You need health insurance! The doctor told me that I would continue this regime till death.

I am on Palliative Care, or keep me comfortable till I die. 

The chance that I will be alive five years with this cancer is between 8 and 15%. In other words, 85 to 92% of all patients with this cancer die within five years of the diagnosis, or for me, another four years. 

We will seek a second opinion, but the findings will be the same without a miracle. 

I am handling everything well so far. The side effects are uncomfortable. I have no idea how long God will leave me here, but I plan to live each day for Him to the best of my ability.

Thank you for praying for me.