With the heaviest of hearts, we are saddened to announce that James McVey passed on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. He was surrounded by family and took his last breath just as the chaplain said the very last word to a prayer. Thank you to all who followed this blog and provided so much support throughout the years. Your words of encouragement and love meant so much to him. We were so lucky to be given four more years with him when originally doctors told us he only had 2-3 months left. During this time he got to meet and hold three of his grandchildren (Connor, Annabelle, and Charlie), and learned there is another baby boy on the way (Baby Cook). He spent the past four years with friends, family, and of course fishing in the most unique places. He caught his very last sloppy snook (31″) at the end of March. There are no words to describe how much he meant to us. He will be missed so much.

Love,

Jodell, Lindsey, Jenna, and Ryan

Calling hours will be held Friday, April 14 at Grace Chapel 10am-11am located in Skaneateles, NY, followed by the funeral service at 11 and burial will be at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Navarino, NY. A reception will follow, place and time to be announced.

Formal obituary has been posted on his Facebook. Please review for more details.

Gig ’em aggies

At the end of the last status report, the status was that the cancer growth was stable for now. Well things have changed, in a big way. The most likely suspect is from the latest immunotherapy treatment. I was fishing down in the Everglades and the fatigue overtook me to where I had to stop fishing. We cut our trip short to make our way back to Syracuse, New York. After using wheelchairs to get through the airport, etc. I was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday 3/28/23. It is now Monday, April 3^rd with no plans of a discharge yet. I am now unable to use my arms and legs due to the increased fatigue. This was not too big of a surprise since earlier immunotherapies have always affected my enzymes and other parts of my body. So the mission now is to figure out how to reverse the process and get my body working again. Since I was admitted the treatments have been fast and furious with many doctors working on my case. Unfortunately, the study of the latest immunotherapy treatment I received a few weeks ago are now under way and a definitive path has not been determined. The treatments that I have had since Tuesday include:

• 4 EKGs
• MRI of abdomen, brain, thorax and lumbar
• Echocardiogram of heart
• Surgical insertion of a hepatic drain
• Insertion of vascular catheter
• Multiple rounds of steroids
• Xray of neck/chest
• Tons of bloodwork
• Apheresis (x5 treatments)

So unfortunately, at this point, there is no clear path forward, but hopefully that will soon be determined. With all that being said, I hope that I will soon be back in the Everglades casting for a big sloppy snook!

Three things will last forever. Faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.

First Corinthians 13:13.

Since my last update on November 18,2022 several events have taken place that seem to be newsworthy. Hence this update.  I had a chemo embolization procedure completed on Dec 13, 2022.  A Y-90 procedure was mentioned as a possibility in my last report.  However, the chemo embolization was ultimately chosen as the preferred alternative.  I was told that during the normal course of a Y-90, a portion of healthy liver cells would be damaged and that I did not have enough healthy liver cells to spare.  Chemo and Y-90 are very similar.  In the chemo procedure, the glass beads are coated with chemo medication, whereas the beads are coated with radioactive material for a Y-90.  This procedure was completed in an effort to stop the growth of 2 new tumors on the “healthy” side of my liver that showed up during my last scan.  It does not affect (positive or negative) the cancer in other areas in my body.  I had another CT scan on Feb 7 and an appointment with my oncologist on Feb 14  to review the results of the scan and plan the way forward.  The 2 tumors on the healthy side show to be enlarged but the Doc seems to think it is inflammation from the procedure.  All the other cancer growth in my body seems to be somewhat stable for now even though I have had no treatment since Sept of 2022.  The primary cancer tumor on the “unhealthy” side of my liver has shown a small increase in size but not enough to aggressively treat.  As a result, the treatment plan going forward is no treatment, at least for now.  I will continue to have blood work completed every week to check things like “tumor marker”, etc.  Unless the blood work indicates something is out of whack, the next milestone will be another scan in a couple of months. Be strong and courageous.  Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6

Had another CT scan completed on November 14^th and consultation with my oncologist on November 17^th. As a result, I think it’s now appropriate to put out another update. If you recall, the scan completed in August did not look so good. Due to lack of treatment, the cancer was enlarging and growing again. Even though the opdivo/yervoy treatment that I had gotten in the past negatively affected some of my internal organs, that same treatment was initiated once again.  Standard operating procedure is for 4 treatments over a period of 12 weeks. I received two treatments before my liver enzymes began to spike. As a result, the treatment was stopped and I started taking steroids to get the enzymes back in line. In addition, another scan was ordered that took place on November 14^th to see where things stood. The two treatments that I had since September 1^st seemed to be very effective on cancer growth in my airways and stabilized the tumor / thrombus growth in my heart. However, my liver has now taken center stage. New growth on the healthy side of my liver was observed.  Since it appears that the opdivo/yervoy treatment is not containing the cancer growth on my liver and is causing enzymes to spike, it is not an option to continue this treatment, at least for now. The next step being discussed is to bring me in for a Y-90 procedure (Google it). Step 1 is to meet the radiologist that will perform the procedure to determine if I am even a candidate. That meeting has not yet been set. As long as my Amazon fishing trip remains intact and I get to hold my new grandson (courtesy of Caitlin and Ryan) in February, I say let’s get er done! Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

I’ve learned that a cancer patients’ life is living scan to scan.  What I mean is a PET or CT is done and treatment is prescribed based on the report from the scan.  For the most part, the effectiveness of the treatment is not known until the next scan.  I tell you this so that you understand why updates from me are not more frequent.  That being said, I did have a CT scan completed August 12 and my oncologist appointment was August 16 to review the results of the scan.  In summary, the report said things are getting worse.

Lungs: Existing nodes are getting larger and new ones have popped up.

Heart: The thrombus is getting larger. 

Liver:  The tumor is getting larger and the other side of my liver (healthy side) is showing signs of cancer activity. 

Airway to lungs:  this was the only good news. It appears the radiation treatment has been effective to the point where they are considering additional radiation treatment.

Strangely, despite this news, I feel great and remain active. The strategy going forward is to stop the chemo pills since they have proved to be ineffective and begin the infusion therapy once again with the same drugs (Opdivo and Yervoy) that I started with. As a reminder, these are the drugs that have affected other organs in my body and turned me into a diabetic. However, my doctor is running out of tools. At the same time, he has recommended that I go to Roswell cancer center in Buffalo, NY to see if I qualify for phase 1 clinical trials. Phase 1 is newly developed drugs/procedures that are experimental and have not yet been approved. Basically, “guinea pig” type stuff. If this next round of treatment proves to be ineffective or damaging, then we are into “Hail Mary” type stuff. Infusion therapy and my first appointment in Buffalo should take place before the end of this month.  I’m staying strong with a good attitude and looking forward to the Lindsey/Travis wedding next month and an Amazon fishing trip in January!!  Psalm 73:26 – My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

I didn’t expect to be putting out another update so soon but things have been moving fast so I needed to provide an update before I lose track of what is going on.  Quick summary: The EBUS taken on March 9 found malignant tumor growth in my air ways.  As a result, treatment was switched from immunotherapy to chemotherapy pills on March 29.  The next day, I left for Cayman Islands for work.  A couple of days later, the pills showed their ugliness.  Not to bore you with the gory details but let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.  Of all the potential sides effects described to me that could happen with taking the pills, I think I got them all.  I returned to Syracuse on April 9 after being wheelchaired through all the airports.  (tip – a wheelchair and global entry will save you about 2 hours in getting through customs/immigration!).  Of course, I was told to stop taking the chemo pills.  I was in the hospital April 12 – 15 due to all the side effects of the pills.  I am back home now and have ejected from my job in Cayman. Since then, I had 6 treatments of radiation from April 19-26, a PET scan on April 26, a CT scan on May 3 and then an appointment with my oncologist on May 5 to have it all explained and plot the way forward.  The PET and CT scan showed pretty much the same as in the past indicating not much change.  The radiation proved to be effective as it has cleared my airways to some degree, so I’m not as fatigued as in days past.  The plan going forward is to try a different type of chemo pill in small doses to start with to see how my body reacts.  But as of today, I feel better than I have in a long time.  So, as a result, a trip to Nashville in mid-May, a bone fishing trip at the end of May, a blue fin tuna fishing trip in September and, most importantly, a wedding in Maine in mid-September are all still a GO! John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The EBUS procedure mentioned in my last report was completed on March 9, 2022, with a follow up meeting with my Oncologist on March 29, 2022.  The results were not what we had hoped for.  The speculation was that the lymph nodes in my airways were aggravated due to some type of infection.  As it turns out, the spots on the scans were identified as malignant cancer growth.  As a result, the immunotherapy treatment I have been receiving every 3 weeks has been stopped and I am now on chemotherapy pills that I take twice per day.  The tumor on my liver and the thrombus to my heart continues to remain stable.  The plan is to keep taking the pills for 2 or 3 months and then have another PET scan to check the effectiveness of the new treatment. Isaiah 43:2 when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze.

The CAT scan indicated in my December 29^th, 2021, report took place on January 24, 2022. The result was not as squeaky clean as what we had hoped. The lymph nodes in my chest continue to be aggravated for some reason or another.  The current thought is that it is still not cancer related, but, to be sure, my oncologist is scheduling me for an EBUS procedure. This should take place sometime this month. The link below describes this procedure. In the below writeup, they compare it to a colonoscopy. I just hope they use a different instrument.  Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/endobronchial-ultrasound-ebus#:~:text=EBUS%20(endobronchial%20ultrasound)%20bronchoscopy%20is,into%20your%20windpipe%20and%20lungs

I had another PET scan completed on December 10 so I figured it was time for another quick update.  The results of the scan were a little suspect. Although the tumor on my liver has remained about the same size, several lymph nodes in my chest area appeared to be enlarged or inflamed. Of course, this caused some concern until I met a few days later with my Doc to get the interpretation. He said he doubts that the active lymph nodes had anything to do with the cancer since my tumor appeared “remarkably stable.” He prescribed a z-pak to treat, what he believes to be an infection, and scheduled a CAT scan for me at the end of January. 

All that being said…I feel fine. Same as I felt before I was diagnosed. So much so that I have accepted a position to manage a construction project in the Cayman Islands. I will work from my home office in New York and go to the Grand Cayman on an as needed basis. Hopefully, the Cayman sun rays will eradicate the tumor once and for all! Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Another day, another heart attack.  On Tues morning July 6, I was putting things in order after a fun filled July 4^th weekend.  Got done, sat down in a chair in the garage and even started to doze off.  Then the pain in the center of my chest began.  Soon thereafter, I called 911 and was rushed to the hospital, directly into the Cath Lab.  The blockage was cleared and another stent was placed (I have 6 now) and I was then moved to my hospital room.  All this occurred over a 3 hour time period.  Amazing!  However, this event was different than past episodes.  Prior to Tuesday, blockage was due to typical plaque buildup associated with high cholesterol.  This blockage had my LAD (Left anterior descending artery) 100% blocked and was from blood clots caused by the cancer tumor or past stents or other possibilities.  I am home now recovering but not without implications this time.  The heart muscle was damaged to some degree as measured by the EF (ejection fraction – The percentage of blood leaving your heart each time it squeezes).  60-65 is normal.  Mine is now 30-35.  However, that should improve as my heart heals over time.  I know all this sounds disturbing but don’t fret.  My planned Alaska fishing trip in August is still a “GO”!     2 Corinthians 12:9    But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.