Mesothelioma Fighter Aims To Get Back On The Bike
Albert Bercher and his wife of 50 years, Carolyn, were living out their "golden years" in Huntington Beach, determined to enjoy every second of it. They often got up before the crack of dawn, to stroll down to the beach and watch the sun rise. After experiencing something that magnificent and lovely, it was hard to have a bad day. The mornings always inspired Albert to jump on his Trek bicycle and vigorously pound out 20 miles along the coast with a pack of his friends. Not bad for a 74-year old retired machinist.
As an athlete, Albert knew his body well. He could tell the difference between a cold and plain old fatigue. In July of 2005, Albert began having chest pains and trouble sleeping, which was definitely out of the ordinary. Concerned he might have pneumonia, he went to his primary care doctor for a check up. The doctor looked at his chest films and found something unusual in his left lower lung. But, because a mass in the lung can be consistent with pneumonia, Albert's doctor prescribed the antibiotic Azithromycin for a five-day treatment.
After five days, the antibiotics didn't help. His chest pains increased and his shortness of breath grew worse, even when sitting still. In December, after the strain became unbearable, Carolyn drove Albert to the Huntington BeachHospital emergency room where he underwent numerous tests. Doctors found an accumulation of fluid in his lung, and the next day, removed over a quart of the fluid using a large hollow needle. The fluid was tested and found to contain malignant cells, what pathologists later diagnosed as epithelial pleural mesothelioma.
THE QUEST FOR OPTIONS
The Berchers had never heard of "mesothelioma". They began researching the possible treatments and quickly discovered that the tumor was rare except for those who were exposed to asbestos. In addition, there were very few doctors who were qualified to treat the cancer. Their local doctors fortunately were honest enough to admit the tumor was out of their league, and they referred the Berchers to Dr. Robert Cameron, the chief of thoracic surgery at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Cameron is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Pacific Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (PACHLAB). PACHLAB is a non-profit medical research organization whose mission is to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases through independent research, collaboration, and education. Dr. Cameron is one of a handful of doctors on the West Coast who has a track record for helping mesothelioma patients through a combination of therapies, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, interferon, or immunotherapy.
Well, pain is one of the biggest things that we try to treat because all patients have pain to some extent. Most of them have or ultimately develop chronic pain and are on chronic pain medications. The sensation is described as basically a vice being around your chest and slowly getting tighter and tighter so that you can hardly breathe, and, unfortunately, the treatments that we institute for this disease make that probably, if anything, worse.
Dr. Robert Cameron, in his testimony in the Albert Bercher vs. ALFA LAVAL, INC., et al. Wednesday, September 13, 2006. For the County of Los Angeles, Department 53.
In January of 2006, Albert consulted with Dr. Cameron who informed him that mesothelioma patients tend to have limited treatment options. He stated that patients at an early stage might qualify for a surgical procedure - known as a pleurectomy with decortication (P/D) where the tumor is removed from the pleural lining inside the chest. This would leave the otherwise healthy lung intact. Once the patient recovers from the surgery, the area is then treated with radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the patient's condition.
Dr. Cameron also described a more radical surgery, known as an extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a more radical surgery where the lung and tumor are removed, along with the affected pleural linings and/or organs. Dr. Cameron highlighted some of the risks of an EPP including possible recurrence of the cancer. He went on to explain that in some patients, even after a "successful" EPP or P/D, the tumor comes back. The chances of treating the disease if it recurs are better if the patient has both lungs to live on.
Albert chose to undergo the P/D with Dr. Cameron. On February 16, 2006, Dr. Cameron began the tedious process of removing the infected tissues. While the extent of Mr. Bercher's cancer was larger than expected, Dr. Cameron was successfully able to remove the bulk of his tumor, along with the linings of his chest wall, the diaphragm, and some affected lymph nodes.
Two days later, while still in the hospital, the Berchers celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.
ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
While recovering, Albert experienced additional chest pains on his right side and some shortness of breath. During his recovery, the doctors found blood clots in his left lung and more accumulation of fluid and blood inside the sac around Mr. Bercher's heart. He was treated with the blood thinner Coumadin. As if to make matters worse, Albert also developed shingles. Another added pain for him to bear.
In May, he began daily radiation treatments, which continued for three weeks. His tender skin was burned, especially on his back, but fortunately, he had no nausea, which is a possible side effect.
After completing radiation treatments, Albert spent the next two months regaining his strength. During this time, he also had regular check-ups.
Our goal is to convert the disease into something that is like high blood pressure or diabetes where potentially they could live with the disease for a period of time and we can treat them on an ongoing basis, but you don't get cured of diabetes as of today. You don't get cured of high blood pressure. But people can live with those diseases for a reasonable period of time, and that is our goal in terms of our research and what we are trying to do for patients.
Dr. Robert Cameron, in his testimony in the Albert Bercher vs. ALFA LAVAL, INC., et al. Wednesday, September 13, 2006. For the County of Los Angeles, Department 53.
Albert began his self-administered interferon shots on August 24, 2006. The interferon will help the body's own natural immune system combat the cancer. This is a new treatment option for mesothelioma patients, and one more way that Dr. Cameron is attacking the cancer.
THE LOVING EMBRACE OF FAMILY
Albert and Carolyn have five grown children and 11 grandchildren ranging in age from eight months to 23 years. Before his diagnosis, their evenings and weekends were busy attending their grandchildren's sports and school activities. The Berchers loved to travel and spend time with their friends, of which there are many. Since Albert has been ill, their weekly dominos tournaments, morning breakfasts, and dinners with friends have all been put on hold.
Their daughter Susan has been their personnel "taxi-driver" driving her parents to Albert's check-ups and appointments. Carolyn frets that after being married for more than 51 years, it's hard for her to "imagine life this way." She has been anxious and nervous. They say that knowledge is power, but knowledge can also lead to sorrow and stress, as she knows intellectually that the tumor will likely recur, but yet she knows she must cling to hope. She remains hopeful that the experimental interferon regimen that Dr. Cameron has prescribed will stave off any further bad news. She is also hopeful that Albert will continue to tolerate the interferon without serious side effects.
Since July, Albert has tried several times to get back on the bike, but his strength has not fully recovered. He still experiences pain in the area around his surgery, but tries hard to stay away from strong painkillers. He hates the way they make him feel, like a "heavy weight is on my chest." A few extra-strength Tylenol seem to get him by for now. He still experiences some mild episodes of shortness of breath.
The Berchers, their family, friends, and Dr. Cameron, are all working hard to get Albert back on the bike.
*** POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 6 2006 ***
An Update -- 10/6/2009
Albert is not doing as well as he and Carolyn hoped he would be doing.
After his interferon treatments stopped, his tumors returned and grew larger. His cancer has spread to his hips, bones and left lung. His doctors gave him the option of hospice or chemotherapy.
Albert chose chemotherapy and goes in for his third round of this week. Unfortunately, his insurance company will not pay for another PET scan to see what progress, if any, has been made.
Albert has been fighting his battle with mesothelioma for four years now. He takes morphine pills every 12 hours.
Carolyn has a couple of wonderful helpers who help her care for Albert at home. She shattered her wrist a few months back and she says, "the care takers have really been a big help to me through all Albert and I have endured".
Carolyn reports that Albert's Shelby just sits in the garage waiting for someone to drive her.
An Update -- 3/2/2010
Carolyn reports that Albert’s condition continues to decline. He has been on Hospice care for the past month and is constantly on morphine to manage his pain.
Carolyn continues to be grateful for the assistance of his home-healthcare nurses that come twice a week, especially in light of her injured right wrist. She has come to terms that her wrist will probably never make a full recovery. However, she is putting her current wounds aside in order to be completely present for Albert. She’s satisfied that they have wholeheartedly tried everything, including briefly delving into the medical marihuana option to help with Albert’s nausea and appetite. Although interesting, in the end Albert decided it was not for him.
Albert and Carolyn quietly celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at home in February. They had family and of course Albert’s nurses over for cake and ham. Carolyn felt extremely strong about acknowledging this milestone despite of Albert’s condition. She knows it pleased him to be surrounded by the people who love and care for him everyday.
*** Mr. Al Bercher passed away on June 2, 2010 ***