Caring for Carcinoid Foundation

Home

About CFCF

Board of Directors

Board of Patient Advisors

Board of Scientific Advisors

Carcinoid Community

Carcinoid Information

Donations

Friends of CFCF

Fundraising Events

How You Can Help

Memorials

News

Photo Gallery

Research

Sunflower

Caring for Carcinoid Foundation - Survivor Stories

Return to Survivor Stories

Gaston Oxman

Click photo for full size

Profile

Cancer type: Islet cell non-functioning (pancreas primary)
Diagnosis year: 1996
Home: Rockville, MD - USA

How I Survive Cancer

I manage to survive cancer well, in part by continuing to work.

Timeline:

April 1996 - 50% of my pancreas was removed, as was my spleen.
September 2000 - 70% of my liver was removed. I began taking Octreotide LAR 20 mg.
August 2004 - the surgeon removed a tumor from my chest (aortic cavity). I continued taking Octreotide LAR, but 30 mg.
July 2005 - tumors reappeared on my liver, sacral bones and the L5 vertebrae of my spine. I traveled four times in nine months to Amsterdam for treatment with Lu177. My final treatment with Lu177 was during April of 2006.
July 2006 - the results of a CT scan at Johns Hopkins (always the same place) showed that my cancer is in remission (no tumors).
October 2006 - I received 96 hours of octreoscan (5 days) and, once again, the results showed that my cancer was in remission (no tumors), including the spot on my bones.
February 2007 - I had CT Scan and Octreoscan done. Both indicated my cancer is in remission. No tumors. I feel great.

How I Fight for a Cure

I try to support all of the different carcinoid groups and foundations.

I remain active on a number of levels, including counseling other patients, conferring with doctors at different shows and exhibitions and sending letters to members of Congress to support increased funding for researching this disease.

My Caring Words of Encouragement

Be an active patient.

I visit four different doctors every six months, conduct regular research on the Internet, discuss the research with each doctor, exchange opinions about different treatments in my support group and then, if necessary, make a decision regarding the appropriate treatment.