R.BRENDAN
LEARY

phone 650 207 2100

email bleary@cbnorcal.com

web www.brendanleary.com

Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Internationally #1 Agent in CB Palo Alto Offices 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007
November 19, 2007

“INDICATION: The patient has a known carcinoma of the base of tongue. He is one month status post radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

REPORT: Patient initially had a very large substantial mass 4 X 3 cm at the base of the tongue predominately on the right side. Presently he shows absolutely NO evidence of any activity or any evidence of a mass either by CT criteria or PET criteria.

There has been complete reversal of the pathology. The present study shows complete resolution of the previous pathology documenting an excellent response to both x-ray and chemotherapy.”

Wow!!! What a treat for the holidays. Some of you have seen the above, others have made the journey with me, some wonder where I have been. It is the best gift I could ever receive.

On August 1st I was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer. It seems all so long ago. Jean and I were given the grim news that survivability was medium and treatments quite nasty. We immediately embarked on a research journey, helped by so many, to find the best course to follow. We started with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, then to U.C.S.F. and the Oregon Providence Cancer Center for second and third opinions. On day ten, we felt this could be beaten and had a high degree of confidence in the treatment protocol offered by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Next was 7 weeks of daily radiation assisted by chemotherapy. My goal was to keep as much weight (to avoid a feeding tube) as I could, work out twice a day and show up for treatments. Showing up is not as easy as it sounds. The last chemo day was hell getting in the door. I just didn’t think I could do any more.

Jean ran the Riverside Drive Cancer Treatment Center. The Foundation provided the treatments, but is not comprehensive. There is so much to know. Jean also had the daunting task to feed me. Everything tasted horrible, I mean bad, and I had a very sore throat to boot. Each swallow was major painful. End result: I lost 30 lbs. I have since gained 9 or so back.

As for Jean, you know what being in love and having a soul mate/best friend really is after our adventure. A remarkable woman.

End result: cancer free. I go back every three months to have a checkup. Mentally this will be a grind as every day I wonder. Physically I am minus a bunch of hair, a large portion of my salivary glands no longer function and my taste buds are shot. I am told it will be a year before the extent of their return will be known. At least I eat now. My sense of smell is wonderful. I taste many things, just not intensely and it is all so different. A small price to pay.

Spiritually I feel fantastic. The number of people who stepped up, and their dedication, has been astounding. I do believe I have left some good footprints behind me. I have a treasure trove of wonderful friends. Just about all of the doctors have been above and beyond the call of duty. The two main guys have given me their cell phone numbers, and answer them. Duncan (moving on himself, details in January note) and Jaime were fantastic holding the fort down. Disappointments: just a few. Minor compared to it all. My goal was to see how long I could get away with this before people took notice. I almost pulled it off.

I am back as of the first week in January. So it is ok to SWAMP me. Best medicine. This brings up the market. All that you read is true, nationally and locally, with the exception of Palo Alto and most surrounding communities. We truly are global. So much of the revenue and business comes from offshore to our local corporations. More on this to come in two weeks.

What is most important is to wish all a Happy New Year. Jean and I will be on cloud nine for a while. Say a little prayer that the “alien”, as we called it, stays away.

Thanks to you all,
rbl


rbl and radiation land



rbl 30 lbs later



Friends and cancer gurus Rick and Cheryl