by doctors with whom I am consulting, both locally and across the country. Creating this summary was an interesting exercise, in that I had to write clincally and dispassionately about a very personal journey, and I felt the need to "present" myself, much as one might do in a resume or an adoptive parents’ letter.
Here’s the statement. I think it provides a good overview of the journey, and where I am now.
April 6, 2003
Case Summary: Dan Reich
Without any prior symptoms, Dan suffered a grand mal seizure while on vacation August 4, 2002. He was diagnosed with a glioma in Jackson, WY and told to return to the SF Bay Area, where he sought treatment at UCSF. A resection was performed Sept. 4, 2002. Their diagnosis was
astrocytoma grade III, located on the right frontal lobe near the motor cortex. They recommended a six-week course of radiotherapy supplemented with Temodar, beginning in October.
Although Dan suffered a series of seizures after the surgery, they had disappeared by the middle of October, treated with Dilantin and Keppra. In mid-November, the radiotherapy was completed and Dan stayed on the Temodar. During this time, Dan worked with an acupuncturist/ herbalist
to counteract the side-effects of the chemo. He was also treated several times with cranial-sacral therapy. Dan suffered few side-effects and felt generally good throughout.
An MRI performed in late November showed no visible abnormalities, and Dan was advised to continue on the Temodar with follow-up MRIs every two months. At the end of December, Dan again began to have sporadic seizures. The follow-up MRI was Feb. 1, and showed significant regrowth of tumor. The treatment protocol was changed to BCNU + Tamoxifen (240mg/day) starting Feb. 10. Dan was seizure-free for several weeks after starting the BCNU, but they returned, increasing in frequency. His anti-convulsants were brought to 500 mg Dilantin and 4000 mg Keppra per day. One week prior to the next scheduled MRI, Dan consulted a Chi Gung practioner, who recommended a daily program of self-healing. Although the program induced seizures the first two times (he had been averaging one focal seizure a day during this period) Dan continued the program and his energy level improved dramatically. He didn’t have a seizure for 5 days. After two seizures the following day, Dan had 25 mg Lamictal added to his anti-convulsant medication.
On March 24, another MRI indicated that tumor growth had continued. This was surprising as Dan was feeling better than he had in weeks. He discontinued the BCNU/Tamoxifen. Another resection was recommended, but a subsequent UCSF tumor review board decided that Dan was a poor candidate for either surgery or Gamma Knife, based on growth in the direction of the motor strip. His neuro-oncologist re-graded his tumor to IV, based on the speed of its growth. UCSF is offering a phase 2 clinical trial involving CCI-779 as their recommendation.
Dan continues to practice Chi Gung and visualizations on a daily basis, and his energy and symptoms continue to improve. Currently, he is seeking the best treatment option available (other than those which require surgery or radiation) and is researching clinical trials and
options throughout the U.S. Although he has not received any treatment since March 24 (other than anti-convulsants) Dan continues to function at a high level and has not had a seizure in more than two weeks. He has a lot of faith in his ability to heal himself as a complement to whatever treatment program he chooses, and would likely have good results with a program well suited to his case. He welcomes your advice and expertise, particularly in comparing your programs to the CCI-779 trial at UCSF with respect to Dan’s case.
Thank you for your interest.
So, wouldn’t you want me to be in your clinical trial? You’re still welcome to send me all the prayers and good feelings you want. Maybe that’s what has been working so well.
Peace and love,
Dan
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