mesothelioma survivor and veteran of the US Navy Peter L. has good reason to feel discouraged today. It has a better reason to keep fighting through it.
He loves what he does.
Not only the clinical trial once promising he attended abruptly ended last month, but Pierre learned that he had never received the experimental vaccine immunotherapy that believed to work so well.
Unconsciously, he did not receive the vaccine at the double-blind trial of the last two years. Instead, he received the placebo ?? commonly known as sugar pill ?? ?? in a controlled experiment. He remains empty.
"I must admit, I was hit the news first. It was disappointing on both counts," he said. "But like the old saying, ?? One door closes and another opens. ?? I have not yet found my plan B, but I'm still looking. There are not giving up ".
There ?? s three years Peter, 76, was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and underwent surgery pleurectomy / decortication in New York. His name is withheld for privacy.
Peter looks over and looks healthy. It works regularly with a group of other retired around Bergen County, New Jersey. They all revel in their stories-what-ails the day.
He and his wife still travel to Argentina to see his family. They also visit the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. It maintains a small art studio there for his belated passion in life to painting that invigorates him.
The Mesothelioma Survivor loves his art
"The painting was my drug through this ?? a great diversion for me. It's a way for me to focus on the future and not the past, which is important when you have this cancer to worry, "he said. "It was not until I retired that I had time to discover how much I enjoyed it, and how I could be with her."
Peter is essentially a self-taught artist who spent his life working as a big-city corporate executive with some well-known domestic enterprises. His mother was a sculptor. Several art galleries selling his paintings today.
mesothelioma survivor Peter L. sharing his landscape paintings.
He recently donated several pieces mesothelioma foundation, which used them in an auction to raise $ 10,000.
Peter did not need the money from the sale of his paintings. He does it for the rush he gets from their creation. Most of his paintings are natural landscapes that capture the dynamism of the great outdoors. Much is inspired by the Catskills.
"In the beginning, I do not like to sell. It was like selling my babies, "he said." But it was like therapy for me, both for pleasure and stress relief. I do things now that I can not believe I can do the same. It was wonderful. "
Disappointed When completed clinical trial
While his work has helped to support him, Peter still wondered how long it can last. He has already lived longer than patients typical pleural mesothelioma.
the sudden termination of the clinical trial testing the vaccine immunotherapy ?? Wilms (WT1) tumor blindsided him. he was told that the lack of qualified patients and efficiency terminated at trial.
His most recent thoracic analysis showed no progression of mesothelioma tumor. And he was sure that the vaccine worked.
"I always thought I was getting the real thing, not the placebo. it was good for me psychologically, "he said. "But you know going into a double-blind trial is like Russian roulette. You do not know what you get."
Peter is planning another clinical trial now, as well as other alternative treatment options . Its initial treatment included chemotherapy, aggressive surgery and radiotherapy. His next scan is scheduled for early 2016.
He still firmly believes in the participation of the clinical trial, not only for the patient but he can do for those who come later. There are 3,000 Americans diagnosed each year with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
Survival is his lifestyle
Peter served in the Navy in the early 60s, spending considerable time on various ships, where exposure to asbestos was common. It was fifty years ago, sailors received no warning about the dangers of exposure. They are paying the price today.
"Most clinical trials fail. I know, but you always looking to be that one in a million. I do not think anyone should give up hope of finding the ", he said. "If the trial does not help, at least it will help someone comes next."
Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it remains hopeful, for several reasons. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of white blood cells, there are more than 12 years, and he managed successfully.
Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 50, and lived another 43 years. He also works hard to stay in good physical shape as he can.
And pray to God every day.
"DNA of everyone is different, and everyone seems to respond differently to treatment," he said. "I'm very lucky with that. I hope the good fortune continues."
