Another request for prayer... for ViggoG

[John Sabato]

This time for a long-time friend and Lugerforum member Viggo G. Dereng...

As many of the Lugerforum oldtimers know, Viggo had a bout with kidney cancer a few years ago (2001)... he beat it, but evidently not entirely... he has found it difficult to share with friends, but has authorized me to provide the following information...

Please read these small excerpts from a private message he recently sent me...

--------<Part 1>
John, My friend,
I was very grieved to learn of your fathers death as I too have lost my parents and my only sibling, older brother.
I am now referred to as the family "Patriarch", and at 81 it seems so to me also, For how long ?, I have no positive clues.

It now appears that the Left Nephrectomy that I underwent back in 2001, seems to have been a fraction late and the Renal Cell Carcinoma has returned to the same area in the approximate same size, however this time in metastatic state and it also appears in at least two other locations near by.
<End Part 1>
...
<Part 2>Bummer, Its Back as predicted, two by eight centimeters. in size with signs of metastatics to the upper pulmonary region and the mid aorta, and has within the last four months sapped my strength to where walking less than 200 feet brings weakness and oxygen depletion to the extent that I can no longer venture far from my portable oxygen supply safely, and I have lost 25 pounds in that short period about two pounds a week.
A very fast way of weight reduction and a very poor way to accomplish it, definitely not recommended as a weight control method, Ha, Ha !

The bad news is my age and metastatics rules out further surgery, and the poor response of renal cell carcinoma to standard radiation rules that out, leaving only chemotherapy, systemic and local radiation therapy.
Local radiation therapy is yet being studied and is not extensively supported by most medical insurances, leaving only the newly accepted oral radiation tablet options.

By the grace of God there is a relatively new nuclear pill, "Sutent", that shows the most promise, however small it is. There is little chance if any that it may provide a cure. There is no promise of that, however the hope provided, however small, is in delaying continuing growth of the cancer cells, randomly scattered throughout my system, and thereby providing best quality of life for as long as possible.

I am warned that the side effects are severe and sometime though very rarely even , fatal, usually similar to though not as extreme as chemotherapy.

Not very pretty though quite superior to the alternative option of no treatment and allowing the cancer to follow its natural course.

Praise the Lord that in his wisdom he allows us to enter into the realm of medical magic and witness and even the hope for better that presently appears and the relief given from discomfort in the terminal period of Life.
Within days I visit a highly recommended Oncologist, Dr, Robertson, of the Private Diagnostic Clinic at Duke University, who will have over site in the planning of my treatment which will be provided by Dr. Randhawa, The newest addition to our Halifax Regional Hospital Oncology Department Staff, and who will provide the actual treatment.

Dr. Randhawa was referred by my personal Pulmonary Physician, The Chief of Staff of the Halifax Regional Hospital who has been keeping me alive far beyond the projected lifespan of an extremely long and heavy smoker.

Said lifespan which was projected statistically to end before age seventy.
So I feel as I enter into this Last Quest, that I could hope for no more competent or professional health care providers than I now have as "My Personal Health Care Team".

I would be most crass were I to ignore the contribution of my many neighbors and friends who are providing me with all forms of encouragement and support, from Lawn care to Dog sitting, and providing many tasty dishes to whet my declining appetite.

And last but not least the many members of the "Luger Forum", who Six years ago provided a World Wide Prayer Chain that brought me through that early period of trial, and who I know will continue to support me through this My Final Quest.

May God Bless and Guide The Hands of Each and Every One, as they carry me through the coming ordeal.
ViggoG
<End Part 2>

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I repeat my request for prayer for Viggo to have the strength to deal with challenges that now face him in the upcoming few months...

Viggo, my personal prayers are with you... Please keep us posted on your treatment and prognosis... You are among friends here.

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