Just wanted to share Mom and Dad's Thank you letter for the generous donation they received....

June 19, 2012


To all of our friends associated with "Derrick's Ride",

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your generous donation, which we received today.  Your gift reflects your desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of others, as Derrick has made in so many of our lives.  We are honored to be made a part of such a wonderful cause in memory of Derrick. Please know that your gift will make an immediate difference in our lives as Alan continues to defy the odds of Esophageal Cancer.

Thank you so much,

Alan and Carolyn Ashland

June 20, 2012

For the past 2 months, Dad has been receiving chemo treatments at the Cancer Treatment Center in Chicago, IL.  Yesterday, they did their first scan since his treatment began to see if the treatment made any impact on the Cancer.  The Doctor called me today to go over the results - with Dad.   Unfortunately, the treatment has made no impact on the Cancer and the Cancer has started spreading again.  He now has a spot in both lungs, in his neck, a spot near his thyroid, a couple of spots in the stomach, and the spot on his liver has grown.  This was the only treatment that the Center was able to offer Dad.  For some reason, I was under the impression that this Center had clinical trials, but I was mistaken.  I'm really sad to see Dad leave the Center.  They have been very good to him and he has enjoyed going to the Center.

We are back to square one.  Dad will have to make a decision where he would like to go from here.  He is in really good health.  Looking at him, you wouldn't know he has Cancer.  He still has a very possitive attitude and in my opinion, he still wants to fight this battle.

We are now looking to find Phase 1 clinical trials for AdenoCarcinoma cancer at the GE Junction.  We are hoping to have another Cancer Treatment Center picked out by next week.

Please pray for Dad's continued good health and that we are able to select the right Cancer Treatment Center for Dad.

Much Love,
Shanon

April 1, 2012

Dad made his decision. He will be getting his Cancer plan and treatments at Cancer Center in Chicago. He will fly ( yes fly) to Chicago on Easter Monday. Please pray that they will greet his with lots of great ideas to help get this Cancer back under control.


Much Love, 
Shanon

March 27, 2012

I attended Dad's Oncology appointment today. It was a long meeting with lots of options for Dad to think about. The source of the Cancer - in his esophagus is active, but is still very small considering the size it was at diagnosis. The cancer in his liver is 6.9cm. There is also cancer in a lymph node next to the liver. It is about 3.6cm. So far, this is all they are seeing. However, he has basically tried every Chemo that he can try at this point. The Cancer responds very well to the Chemo, but his Kidney has taken quite a hit. Therefore, they are unable to give him the stronger Chemo treatments. They can only give him a diluted version of Chemo due to the condition of his Kidney. His Cancer is not responding to the diluted version. The Cancer center in Salina is willing to try a couple more diluted versions, however the Doctor doesn't feel like they will be effective. Taking the time to try them could potentionally take away from valuable time that could have be spent trying something new. So, this was option one. Option 2 would be to go to KU Med Center and have the bad lymph node removed AND have the Cancer in his Liver blown away with one of a couple different methods. This would require recovery time - not much. However, the Cancer would likely return in another part of the liver or in another organ or lymph node. So, once again, he would be taking away from valueable time that could be spent trying something else. Option 3 would be to get a second/third opinion from the Cancer Center in Chicago and/or MD Anderson in Houston. Both of these centers have a variety of experimental drugs that may have better odds than taking his chances with the few options that he has left. The Doctor wants Dad to make a decision by Monday. He said that he needs to get moving. Dad has already contacted the Cancer Center in Chicago and plans to talk to MD Anderson in Houston. Hopefully, he'll know what he wants to do by Monday.


Much Love,
Shanon