My choice was made from the information given to me by my oncologist and his team.
This included the pros and cons of the procedure, therapy, risks, side effects and quality of life. In addition, how it would fit into my life and lifestyle. This allowed me to make an educated decision.
I chose the targeted immunotherapy drug Ibrutinib.
These are the details of each choice:
Choice #1 was an amazing but very invasive procedure. It could be considered a cure for my type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma! Saying that, it also comes with a number of risks – some serious. With a timeline process of about a year, this would mean having to stay in France for the procedure, the follow-up, being checked regularly with blood tests, scans, etc. This meant that I would not see our kids and grandsons Isaac and Oliver for a whole year. I felt that they are still too young to be away from them for that long.
However, if all went to plan with no complications, this procedure could cure me of the cancer!
Choice #2 was a much less invasive therapy. However, this is an indefinite solution, as I must take this “Magic Pill” to continue to stay cancer free.
This targeted immunotherapy drug costs 5,000 euros (about $5,500) per month in France. However in the French healthcare system my co-pay is $0 so I receive it for free.
The same drug costs $15,000 per month in the USA. I am on Medicare in the USA, so my co-pay is $3,100 per month.
There are also side effects – it can raise blood pressure, mess with the Thyroid, cause pain in muscles and joints, just to name a few. It becomes a balancing act of keeping the cancer away and living with these side effects. Obviously, I am learning to live with these side effects in order to live my life to the fullest. Being able to live in both South of France and Southern California, USA with our family and friends.
My philosophy is that there are a few people better off than me in the world, and millions who are worse off. So I live in an “Attitude of Gratitude”, being grateful and thankful and knowing that I am blessed everyday. This allows me to “Live Life to the Fullest” despite the cancer.