The News

Hey people who also love Jay,

So we’ve had some big news these past couple of days that I’d like to share with you. After a few weeks of Jay experiencing some aches and pains and random health issues, we finally got to the origin of it all this week. Jay has testicular cancer (stage 3C) and is being treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in Manhattan.

Here are a few details (skip if you’re queasy about medical jargon!). The cancer seems to have originated in his left testicle where a “burnt out” (and unproductive) tumor remains. before that tumor died out the cancer cells metastasized to his lungs (a bunch of small tumors and one golf-ball sized tumor on his pericardium -through the blood) and to his abdomen (a softball-sized tumor in his left retroperitoneal area – through the lymphatic system). We’re still awaiting the results of the biopsy that they did this afternoon to determine the specific type of testicular cancer, but the doctor’s current best guess (given hormone markers in his blood) is that it is the “non-seminoma” type of cells.

They will probably begin a 12-week regime of chemo on Tuesday, for which they’ll admit him on Monday to the hospital at Memorial Sloan Kettering (for at least the first cycle). It will be likely be 5 days chemo and 2 weeks off (4 X 3 week cycles). There are some different options of chemo, and J may be a candidate for a randomized trial with the combination T.I.P. which has had some good results so far. For those of you who are worried about how this may affect our ability to start a family we have been able to bank some material that would allow that to happen no matter what.

Testicular cancer is one of the most highly treatable cancers, and although this one has progressed pretty aggressively, the chances are good that it will respond well to chemo. The doctors here (led by Dr. Darren Feldman) are an amazing team of world class researchers, friendly nurses and people with the kindest bedside manner.

As you can imagine, all of this has been a big shock. Jay is full of courage, and all has been charming all of the doctors with his “pristine” vitals, his “beautiful veins” (NURSE: “Do you work out?”) and his odd-ball humor (what kind of male patient insists on taking a pregnancy test (positive!) just to get a rise out of his very earnest doctors?  – he can do this because his HCG levels are so high because the tumor consists of germ cells usually only growing in pregnant women.

It has also been very difficult, and there are moments of grief and fear that he has been grappling with open-heartedly.

We are so grateful for the blessings we can count and the moments of grace that have shown up so far in this unexpected turn. Among those blessings is the support, kind thoughts, prayers and love of you – our friends and family.

We will be in Pawling until Sunday morning then likely down to NYC. I know Jay would love to see folks at the hospital beginning Monday afternoon and for the next 5 days when he is on chemo. Skype and phone can be great as well!

If you have any questions or want to visit let me know. Send Jay the white light, the love, notes of encouragement and send me any questions or practical dealings. I may not be able to respond quickly to emails individually but will do my best!

Your love and support means so much to us.

Love and thanks,

Katie Rose