This is what the needle biopsy yielded

"January 20, 2014

Dear Mr. Suskin,

The purpose of this letter is to confirm our conversation that took place over the phone last week in reference to the genetic sequencing of recently acquired lung tissue. Upon conclusion of your biopsy on 12/11/13, five (5) core biopsy samples were transported to Champions Oncology’s laboratory. Two (2) of the samples were immediately prepared for shipment to Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGD) for the purpose of whole exome sequencing while the remaining three (3) samples were frozen.

On 12/30/13 I received an email from P60 informing me that the pathologist did not find any tumor in the two initial samples provided. When I informed my scientist of the situation, she had the remaining three core biopsy samples sent to an outside pathologist for review. The plan was to submit whatever sample(s) came back as positive for tumor. We received word last week that the remaining three samples also did not contain tumor. For this reason we are unable to complete whole exome sequencing on your tissue samples.

As you are aware, I have requested that your payment of $”Non of your Business” be returned to your bank account. Of course, should another opportunity arise during which it is appropriate for Champions Oncology to obtain an additional tissue sample, I’d be happy to facilitate such testing again at that time.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions surrounding the information provided above."

I will explain more soon...

Carpe Diem.

This is what the needle biopsy is supposed to yield...

Champions Oncology, Inc. will perform, as a research project, massive genome-wide sequencing. During this process your tumor sample will be compared to your normal tissue (blood) to identify tumor-specific mutations that may be present. Following the sequencing effort, comprehensive bioinformatic analyses will evaluate known cancer genes as well as alterations in the remaining genes.

The whole exome mutational analysis report for deep sequencing will provide comprehensive data on a variety of different genetic alterations in genes. It will include a summary of analyzed sequence data for all exomes sequenced and identify somatic mutations in the tumor tissue provided. In addition, key germline changes will be provided.

The turnaround time for a completed report is approximately 60-90 days from receipt of all samples. A member of the Champions Oncology team will discuss the final report with your physician. The project will be initiated at the time full payment is received. 

The fee for this sequencing research project is.....$Non Of Your Business :-)

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 22 (Round 8)

Boring! I like boring.

All well today. Vitals and blood work all good and urine protein remains low. Im up a few pounds on the weight. Back to a mean, lean fighting machine at 155lbs.

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 21 (Round 8)

Blood work was all good.

Protein was 25. Very low and good.

Meeting with Dr. Schraeder was fine. Talked about the “stable” scans.

Weight was the same as 3 weeks ago.

Another good visit with the parole board.

Carpe Diem.

Biopsy and chemo

Biopsy went well. A little longer than I thought because of the prep and the post op. But I'm feeling fine. The gene sequencing company was happy with the specimens that they received.

Chemo tomorrow.

Carpe Diem.

Scans and biopsy

Once again, my latest scan results showed "STABLE". Phew and Yaaaaaaay.

Today I am going for my needle biopsy. Hopefully all will go well and in about 6-8 weeks I should have some results from the complete exome sequencing tests.

Carpe Diem.

World Cup 2014

We have World Cup 2014 hats* to sell! If you buy a hat, you get a FREE ticket to a world cup match! Get a chance to see the USA take on Africa's best in Ghana, the world's best player Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team, as well as the heavily favored, 4 time world cup winners Germany featuring Mesut Ozil, Philip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and company!

The dates for the matches are as follows:
6/16, 19:00, Natal, Brazil-USA vs Ghana
6/22, 15:00, Manaus, Brazil-USA vs Portugal
6/26, 13:00, Recife, Brazil-USA vs Germany

Should the US win the group or finish 3rd or 4th (scenario 1), you can see:
6/30, 17:00, Porto Alegre, Brazil-USA/Germany/Portugal/Ghana vs Belgium/Russia/South Korea/Algeria

Should the US qualify second (scenario 2), you would see:
7/1, 17:00, Salvador, Brazil-USA vs Belgium/Russia/South Korea/Algeria

From there, you could see a quarterfinal of any of those teams from scenario 1 vs 1E/2F in RIO on 7/4.

From scenario 2, you could see those teams vs 1F/2E in Brasilia on 7/5.

Teams in groups E and F include France and Franck Ribery, Samir Nasri, and company, Argentina and Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and others, Switzerland, Nigeria, Ecuador, Bosnia Herzegovina, Honduras and Iran.

Still with scenario 1, you could see a semifinal Belo Horizonte on 7/8. Following scenario 2, you could see a semifinal in Sao Paolo on 7/9.

Likely semifinal candidates include Germany, Portugal, France, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, England, Uruguay, Italy. They can appear on either half of the draw, pending results.

Don't take a chance! Get your hats and tickets. Category 2 for all matches.

Email me if interested and please don't post questions here. Thanks.

The latest battle plan

My scans are scheduled for Monday December 9th and my needle biopsy is scheduled for Wednesday December 11th. 

My next chemo session is scheduled for Thursday December 12th. Hopefully I will be getting the Alimta and Avastin again as my latest 24hour urine protein test was 240 (a good number).

The needle biopsy results will be sent to Champions Oncology (of MouseSkin fame) for another round of "exome" sequencing tests. I have no idea what that word means!

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 20 (Round 8)

Had a good chemo session today. Blood work was normal and protein in my urine was normal. Phew! I got both the Alimta and Avastin today. I have lost a few pounds (weight wise) but nothing a couple of "good" restaurants won't cure.

I plan to get re-scaned on December 9th and my next chemo here in Baltimore will be on December 12th. Hopefully, somewhere between these dates I will get a needle biopsy done of the tumor and send the specimen away for exome sequencing (genetic testing).

Someone has to tame these lions!

Carpe Diem.

Lest you think I have run away!

How is this for timing! Taken in October 2013 at Hwange National Game Park , Zimbabwe.

Carpe Diem.