Good News Update on Dennis' Health Items

I am not going to have colon resection surgery on May 18 as planned. That has been postponed until late June or early July. I am doing well without much stomach pain or nausea.

The reason for the postponement was that last weekend I came down with bronchitis that put me to bed in a miserable and weakened condition. My pulmonologist gave me a "Z-pack" prescription of the anti-biotic Zithromax, which made a big difference in a few days. On Wednesday I'd have to say that God also lent me an extraordinary boost of energy and mental clarity as I presented my Vitality Therapy counseling training seminar for three hours on my feet, speaking without hoarse voice, to fifty Salvation Army counselors in Chicago. God overruled my illness! I loved that, and am in awe at what came over me. Friday I was back to being so fatigued that I got a transfusion of two units of red blood cells. I feel nearly back to normal energy today, but still like to sleep a lot.

My pulmonologist also discovered that my immunoglobulin levels are low. I will probably get 30 grams of intravenous gamma globulin some day next week. That has helped me get over respiratory infections in the past, but my last one was 1 ½ years ago.

I am scheduled for a day at Mayo Clinic Friday May 24, for my routine exams there. This will include PET/CT scans to see if there are any signs of cancer activity. If clear on that, I will begin Cycle #17 of Revlimid. This may need to be at a lowered dosage, because my bone marrow is showing signs of reduced ability to produce the blood cells I need, This is a disease condition known as "myelodysplasia" that often comes after prolonged lymphoma treatment. When the day comes that they detect cancer, or I get unacceptable side effects from Revlimid, I will be off that treatment and on to something new in the hope that it is more effective against my cancer, and less harmful to my body.

As to colon resection surgery, I would like to avoid it altogether, not just recover well from it. To that end I am probably going to explore some alternative medicine treatments, like acupuncture. I'm looking for something that has the ability to loosen the scar tissue constricting my intestines from the outside in. Please tell me any rumors you hear about in that direction.

Thanks.

Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.

Successful Surgery & Three Goodnesses

Last week I returned from successful surgery at Mayo Clinic to newly connect my small and large intestines. In addition I saw "the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." - Ps. 27:13.

1. My generous brother, Howard, drove from Kansas City, to pick me up in Rochester, MN. From there we drove to my home, enjoying one of the easiest, flowing conversations I have ever had with any human being. Next morning he drove from Chicago back to Kansas City.
2. We pulled up to my front door in Glen Ellyn, IL on the dot of 10 pm Wed 2/18/09, to be greeted by an explosion of sunshine that was the stellar personality of my wife, Ruth.
3. The counseling sessions I have conducted since then have been marked by unusual mental clarity, not at all blunted by residual hospital medications or pain.
   

So, the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I didn't have to die and go to heaven to see it!

Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.

Two-Fold Dennis Health Update

Ruth and I spent Jan 25-28 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. The routine test for the presence of my cancer again showed no sign. Glory to God, and thanks to Mayo!

The second condition that took me there is going to soon send me back. Tests showed that stomach pains I've had for about a month probably come from a restriction where my small intestine joins my large intestine. Fixing it will require an abdominal incision on Feb. 9, probably a reconstruction of the junction, then a week or more of recovery in the hospital there at Mayo. This time is what it takes for our intestines to wake up again after a shock like surgery. But after that I should be able to eat a wider variety of foods, and not experience any more disabling pain.

As an investment in life after surgery, I have started building a presence on both Facebook and LinkedIn. It's so new that it doesn't show up yet. But It's fun to work on, and perhaps connect with you on it. I hope it will help me take my counseling business to the next level, especially with younger clients.

Thanks for praying and caring.

Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.

Clean As A Whistle

I just read the latest positive report from my Mayo Clinic cancer doctor. He said my recent scans were exceptionally clear, and showed no spots where lymphoma tumors had been one year ago. He exclaimed to himself and to me, "clean as a whistle!"

I take this as a huge item for which to thank God. But what about little items? I have learned recently about the name "Providence" which our nation's founders often used to honor God. It means that God is intimately involved in every detail of our lives for our good.

I aim for that view of life to mark my life with gentle gratitude in each day to come. Sincerely, Dennis L. Gibson

Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.

Better Yet On Revlimid

I am astonished! My latest visit to Mayo Clinic showed continued reduction of my lymphoma. I am now officially not just in "partial remission," but into "complete remission." That means there are probably still a small number of cancer cells in my body, but they are too few to detect. No patient who has responded this well, and continued taking my experimental drug, Revlimid, has yet had the cancer return. The only side effect I feel is reduced energy. We will slightly lower my dosage (a smaller pill each breakfast), to see if this gives me more stamina.

There is something special happening within me in recent months. God has given me this extraordinary relief from an "incurable" cancer. And my ongoing full-time counseling work has become more successful than ever before. The lesson here is that we learn wisdom from two major sources: suffering and gratitude.

Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.

Two More Good Months

My PET/CT scans at Mayo Clinic on 5-29-08 continue to look as good as they did on 4-10-08. That means a barely detectable smudge where there used to be a large, bright spot on the image. Conclusion: small volume, low activity, possibly even dead lymphoma after four months on the experimental drug, Revlimid.

I have been fortunate to have this drug work more effectively against the cancer in my body than it does in most other patients'. This makes me ponder the usual question: Why did God choose to send unusual favor my way? Or was this merely a biochemical coincidence that He allowed and that I happen to like? No matter. The issue for me is how best to be ardent with the delicious vitality entrusted to me.

Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.

Good Results From Two Months of Revlimid

In two months, the largest of several mantle cell lymphoma tumors in my chest shrunk from the size of a large egg, down to that of a dime. The dignified, reserved Dr. Thomas Witzig at Mayo Clinic exuded, "This is awesome! It doesn't get any better than this." He considered the amount of shrinkage my tumors showed (all little ones gone, and the big one just "debris,") as showing the activity of Revlimid at its best. PET scan's Standardized Uptake Value went from 13+ in Feb., to immeasurable in April. He plans to use the two PET/CT scans of mine in the major research paper he will author on the 211 relapsed MCL patients who took Revlimid as a single agent. I assume this paper will be a major basis on which the FDA makes its decision whether or not to approve the use of Revlimid for treating relapsed MCL.

In my case Revlimid may have been helped a bit by my use of Xango, the tropical juice mangosteen, during the last two weeks before my April PET scan. This juice's action is said to be anti-inflammatory more than anti-oxidant.

I am now taking my third 21-day supply of Revlimid.. My next scan will be in two months, meaning early June. I am finding that the disruptive effects of Revlimid on my digestive system seem to be cumulative. It was more gentle in rounds 1 & 2.

Dennis Gibson, Ph.D.