Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Possible Clinical Trials

I went down to San Antonio on Monday to meet with two different research centers. The first one I met with, S.T.A.R.T., I really liked. I just got a good feeling from them and what they wanted to do. They are the type of center who are willing to think a little outside the box and not just settle on the fact there is nothing that can be done for me. They aren't saying what they have to offer will work but at least they say there is a chance and that's all I am asking for. They want to use a new drug that is not a form of chemo but is an inhibitor that binds to the cancer cell and may stop the growth, slow it down a little, kill it off, or not work at all depending on how it reacts, there are no guarantees since this is a drug being researched. I must now be selected by the pharmaceutical company to participate, and I should hear something by the end of the week.

The other research center I did not like at. They had the same outlook as the my old Dr., that the only thing that can be done is just slow it down and that's all. They were not willing to look outside that box and take a risk. I would rather at least risk failure and trust in God than not try at all. The Dr. there talked to me as if I didn't understand what I was facing. I was thinking why would I be down is S.A. wanting to try out unproven drugs if I didn't understand my cancer. So based on their outlook I ruled them out.

I have one more clinical trial to meet with this week and that is in Dallas at UTSW medical center. I will listen to what they have to say and maybe it will be good, but I think God led me to the START center for a reason so hopefully I get into that trial. I hope everyone is doing great!

God Bless
Jake

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Making a difference

I want to stand on a soapbox for a little while tonight and talk about what my objective is and the point I want to make. God gives each and everyone of us a purpose and it is for us to figure out what our purpose is and to make of it what we will. You can take two paths the one he wants us to take or the other. God never gives us more than we can handle and that is why I believe I have cancer you don't, not that you all couldn't handle it but it is my burden. He knew I was going to look at this not as some would, as horrible disease, but as chance to Make a Difference. I hope, and I think have been able touch so many people in a positive manner. I hope to make a difference in peoples relationships with God first and foremost, their families, and friends. If I am able to touch one persons life then I feel I did my job. I am not done yet though I will glorify God to fullest extent of my strength and continue to fight and hope to show others that no matter the obstacle there are ways to deal with it and come out ahead no matter what the outcome is.

God Bless

Jake

Sunday, October 21, 2007

What a Great Weekend! / Benefit Softball Tournament

I had a great weekend down at SHSU for the annual alumni game. I spent the weekend catching up with old friends and making new ones as well. As for the game I felt good enough to play and although loosing by a horrendous score that which I wont mention, I did score the best goal of the game. I am glad I did because I did a whole lot of trash talking before the game.

I met my new Oncologist Dr. Crim on Friday, and let me tell you he is a whole lot better than Dr. B. I felt like he actually cared about treating me rather than just the cancer. So I am happy with that and am ready to move forward.

Some of my longtime best friends are putting on a Benefit Softball Tournament for me to help raise money to continue to help me pay all my costs. Below is the information:

Jake’s Benefit Softball Tournament
Who: Friends, family, coworkers, church congregations, community members.
What: Day of softball and fun to raise money for Jake and the John J. Cartwright Medical Fund.
When: Saturday, November 10, 2007
First game to begin at 10 A.M.
Where: Lockheed Martin Recreational Association Softball Fields
3400 Bryant Irvin Rd.
Fort Worth, TX 76109
Why: We love Jake: to learn more about Jake’s battle with cancer, see http://www.jakescancerupdate.blogspot.com/
Additional Info: Asking minimum $15.00 per player donation.
Refreshments will be provided on game day for donations.
Coed teams encouraged.
Register by November 3, 2007.
May register as a team, partial team, or individuals can be placed on teams.
Checks made payable to John J. Cartwright Medical Fund, c/o
Matt Blackstock, 9904 Edmund St. Benbrook, Texas 76126
Help spread the word, tell all your friends and coworkers!
Registration contacts:
Matt Blackstock
Cell: (817) 480-9261
Email: mcblackstock@gmail.com

Blake Bozarth
Cell: (817) 688-2872
Email: Blakie85@yahoo.com

Eric Franks
Cell: (682 ) 667-2926
Email: Eric.L.Franks@LMCO.com

I hope everyone comes out and participates, I think it will be a lot of fun. Hope to see everyone there.

God Bless
Jake

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Trusting in God

I am still feeling good no need to worry. For those of you who keep up with my blog and read a few day ago I mentioned Rose. She lost her fight late last night against cancer. She put up an amazing fight but God said it was her time and wanted to bring her into his kingdom. May God now look after her family in their time of need.

My family has been looking into a number of different research centers for me and in the upcoming weeks I will be meeting with a few doctors who might be able to give us a glimmer of hope outside of conventional chemo treatments. I trust in God that he will lead us to where I need to be to obtain the best treatment possible.

God Bless
Jake

Monday, October 15, 2007

Moving Forward

A lot of you are probably wonder whats coming up for now. As I said in the previous blog I am changing Dr's to one closer to where I live. I should meet with him later this week or early next week. Though will probably just say lets do some chemo to try and slow it down. Well chemo didn't seem to get things done all that great the first try so now we are going to look into alternative types of treatments. A number of people who have had similar prognosis' to mine have gone on to live for a number of years with some of these alternative treatments. So why not try some right. If you know of any programs or people that might have some knowledge to share please give them my contact info. I am not just going to sit here and wait and see what happens because it is gods hands and he will lead me to where I need to be.

The last few days have not been exactly easy, but I have some great family and friends who have been there and made these last couple days a lot fun believe it or not, they helped tremendously to keep my mind off of things. I am going to spend a lot the upcoming time doing some of things I have always wanted to do. Hopefully a little traveling and some other fun things.

I know have already asked a lot of you all, but I still have medical and living expenses to take care and more medical expenses are on the way. It is the toughest thing to do is ask for help in this way but if you can help, my family and I we will forever be grateful. You can donate to my fund by going to any Bank of America and depositing a check into the John J. Cartwright Medical Fund. The teller at any Bank of America should be able to pull up the account and deposit your donation. Make sure to tell them it is a contribution/donation fund! And please note: all donations are tax deductible! You can also mail a check directly to my sister or myself, made payable to the John J. Cartwright Medical Fund and we can deposit it for you!

God Bless
Jake Cartwright
8324 Estandarte Ct
Benbrook TX. 76126

Sarah Jung
4101 Crestview Dr.
Fort Worth TX. 76103

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Not what we had hoped for :(

The results came back from my biopsy and and it wasn't what we had hoped for. The spots on my liver are indeed cancer. This means I am back in stage 4 and the outlook the Dr's have are not good. They are thinking I probably have about year left before it takes me out. It turns out the God wants me more than we thought. I'm not sure why he wants we now but I want everyone to realize there is a reason for everything and we have to trust in him that some good will come from this. I understand that this is hard to grasp but don't be mad or think this unfair cause it is part of life and I am OK with it. I'm not happy about it believe me but Ill manage.

I am moving to a new Dr. over in the Hulen area of Fort Worth to get my treatments much closer to home. I will be resuming chemo to slow the growth but that is about all they can hope for is to just slow it down. I will probably go in for one day about every 3-4 weeks. Don't worry I am still a fighter and will not give up.

This has been so tough to tell everyone y'all have stood behind me with your prayers and I know you will continue to be there for me. I don't know if I said the right things or not its tough, but please do not let this effect your faith cause mine is as strong as ever.

God Bless
Jake

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Quick Update

The biopsy went well I tricked the nurse into added sedatives, I was supposed be moderately sedated but I think I was closer to heavily sedated so I happy. I don't remember a thing so that's a plus. My side is a little tender but no big deal. Hopefully they get a preliminary report done tomorrow before I go see Dr. B. Say a prayer for great results.

God Bless
Jake

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Biopsy Tomorrow

I go in for my biopsy in the morning. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous. I hate needles and there is going to be a good sized one jabbed into my liver. You would think by now I would be OK with them but I'm not. Anyhow I have faith that this test is going to yield the results we have been waiting for. However optimistic I am there is still that fear of the unknown, don't mistaken that for loss of faith because I assure you it is not. God has not brought us this far to let the faith or optimism waver at this point. I have found it easier to hope for the best but prepare for the worst, I guess being a realist isn't the best way sometimes, but it works for me. Pray we get the results we have been waiting for.

God Bless
Jake

Friday, October 5, 2007

Results are in....

I got the results today and we are kinda in the same boat as before. For on the cancer that was in the colon did not show up in the scans, so that is great news. However the spots that are in my liver are still a large concern. The spots actually grew again and some news have emerged as well. Dr. B is not sure what they are and isn't sure if its cancer again or if it a type of growth that closely resembles cancer on the scans. He doesn't want to get too optimistic but does say there is a possibility that it might not be a concern at all. So I am going to have a biopsy done next Wednesday to find out for sure what it is. I will have the results back the following after meeting again with Dr. B. Everyone continue to pray.

God Bless
Jake

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Please Pray for Rose

I recieved a messase from a man yesterday whose daughter Rose is putting up a far greater fight than I could even imagine. I was touched very deeply after reading his blog about her. I can only pray that the way it touched me is, is even half as much as I was able to touch all of my readers. Her strength is second to none, I pray that her family and friends faith is as strong as all yours has been for me. So I beg you to read her story and pray for her as you have for me.

http://rosesosteosarcoma.blogspot.com/

God Bless
Jake