PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR FRIEND - PHIL HIGHFILL

Many of you may know that our friend, Phil Highfill, was diagnosed back in January with Stage 4 Pelvic Cancer that has metastasized into his lungs, liver, abdominal thyroid, and bones.  I have included - in his words - his year-long struggle with this aggressive cancer below.

I have known Phil since high school, and outside of being a "piano man" and excellent cook,  has spent most of his adult life helping others with guidance and support through his own past experiences.  He has always shown up to give back to help those in need, and now he's in a difficult position where he needs our help, love and support more than ever.

Phil has remained strong the past year with an unbelievable positive attitude and continues to research alternative treatments that could complement the effectiveness of his current chemo and bone treatments to overcome this malady.  Let's help this little fella out as much as we can, either through donations, energy, love, or just by reaching out to him.  Let's help Phil with the means to pay for his medical expenses, tests and new treatments that his insurance company will not pay for, but what his oncologist and naturopathic doctor are recommending.

Phil's Description of the Past Year of Treatments....

When I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer last January, I underwent 15 cycles of radiation and started twelve 2-week cycles of chemotherapy.  The radiation was able to shrink my tumor in my pelvis (the originating area of where my cancer started) by two-thirds.  This was great news, though about midway through my chemo cycles, I was given a CT Scan which wasn't such great news, as the chemo stopped working and my cancer was spreading more throughout my bones, including additional lesions in my lungs and liver.

Being pulled from chemo, I was open to a second-line solution (Clinical Trials), and started this back in July.  I also started a bone treatment that wasn't FDA approved, therefore through the donations of my friends and family, I was able to get. 

3 months into my Clinical Trial, another CT scan showed that the immunotherapy stopped working as my cancer was still spreading, and I was pulled from the trial, but pre-qualified for two other trials.  Since these did not start until the end of the year and beginning of next year, my Oncologist recommended putting me on another chemotherapy.  Prior to starting this chemotherapy, my Oncologist ordered a bone scan and CT scan to use as a baseline, and in reviewing the results, she saw that my cancer had spread into my kidneys as well as growing quickly in my bones (see picture).  The latest growth shows the cancer in my right femur, right humerus, and is spreading up my vertebrae. 

Since the latter was happening, my oncologist wanted to increase my bone therapy dosage since this treatment was working to strengthen my bones, and to avoid any "snaps", especially undergoing this new chemotherapy.  Through your generous contributions, I was able to get the bone medicine increase for preventative measures.  She is now wanting an additional increase.

I am now in my 3rd cycle of chemotherapy (I have 6 cycles to go through).  One cycle is 3 weeks of chemo, and 1 week off.  I am still also getting bone treatments each month, and as soon as I can afford another increase in medicine, my oncologist will apply it.  This chemo, unfortunately, has the side effect of me losing my hair (it will grow back after these treatments end in April) and my hair is almost gone now (see picture).

In conjunction with my current treatments, my naturopathic doctor  wants me to go on a drug regiment through Care Oncology protocol (www.careoncology.com), which, unfortunately is going to be out of pocket, but with the current recipe of chemo I am undergoing, this naturopathic remedy has been proven effective.

I cannot thank everyone enough for their support, prayers, love and energy over this year.  It's been a tough ride, but I am staying as positive and hopeful as possible.  Going into Christmas, my heart is so full with gratitude for all of you.  I am so thankful for all of you.

I continue to go to my Cancer Support meetings and volunteer at the Cancer Center to play the piano whenever I can.  And I still play the piano every morning as part of my therapy.

I hope everyone has a joyous holiday season, and my warmest wishes to you for a great start to the New Year!

Philip Highfill