I think that one of the main things that American pastor and author Timothy Keller will be remembered for is the last chapter of his life – his battle with cancer. A recent study of patients with Stage IV pancreas cancer showed that only 9.9% of patients on the experimental arm showed progression at the beginning of their chemotherapy! However, resistance develops quickly, and the median overall survival of 11.1 months, while statistically better than the standard arm, still means that over half of patients don’t make it a year. My internet search shows that Keller lived 36 months with Stage IV pancreas cancer, and he was able to minister and to write during much of that time. He responded to chemotherapy initially, had a surgery after a year, returned to chemotherapy and was part of an NCI immunotherapy clinical trial a year ago. Keller distilled his clinical trial experience in two words – “fairly brutal.”
On the flip side, it was wildly successful, knocking out “99%” of his tumors. I see his success as a combination of faith, prayer, a disciplined life, good doctors, good nurses and good therapies.
Dr. Fred Hardwicke practices medical oncology at Childress Regional Medical Center (CRMC), 901 U.S. Hwy 83. To contact CRMC, call 940-937-6731.
