Tom Bradford
The below was originall posted in 2012. Here is the latest update from
Mr. Tom Bradford, in his own words:
September 2, 2014
"Almost two years ago, my second round of Chemo became ineffective,
and my condition started to worsen. With little or no other options, I
was referred to Chicago University Medical center for a Clinical trial
by Dr. Brian Loggie out of Creighton University Medical Center. I had
done Dr. Loggies shake and bake procedure twice. My DNA profile didn't
fit the Chicago trial, but I did get accepted into a clinical trial at
MD Anderson Medical Center In Houston. This trial uses a tablet form of
targeted medication called
AMG337.
For over a year and a half I have been static, no growth or spread, no
ascites, with very few side effects. It doesn't seem to be a cure,
but it has stopped the disease cold. It involves a 28 day cycle, with
EKG, blood work, and examination with a CT scan every other cycle. I am
doing wonderful on this trial, and feel blessed that seven years after
my diagnoses of Peritoneal Malignant Mesothelioma I am doing well. My
message to others affected is there is hope, take an active role in your
care, do the research yourself, and do not take for granted that just
any cancer center will give you the correct advice. Many are completely
unfamiliar with this rare type of cancer. Keep up the good fight, and
never give it an inch. I value the support and good works that Worthington
gives to combat this disease. If there is anyone out there that needs
encouragement or just someone to talk to, I would be glad to do what I
can to help."
Thomas C. Bradford
Tom Bradford is an engaging, funny native East Texan with a bright outlook.
He and his wife Patricia have been married for 52 years, have three adult
children and a couple of grandkids. He has always been an adventurer,
a lover of motorcycles (he has four in his garage) and he loves traveling
around the country on the back of one.
Tom was enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961. In 1962, he was getting
disappointed at his job opportunities and he had enjoyed his time in the
military so he decided to make a career out of it. He re-enlisted and
served in Vietnam and all over the world as a cryptograph technician,
a helicopter pilot, mechanic, instructor and supervisor until retiring
from the Army in 1981. After leaving the military Tom went to work as
a line pilot for the next twenty years in the Gulf of Mexico before retiring
in 2002 to his home in Louisiana.
In 2004 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent surgery and
treated with chemotherapy and beat it. Tom was healthy until in early
2008, he started feeling bloated and noticed his stomach increasing is
size. He went to see his doctor after he had a gall bladder attack. An
ultra-sound of his abdomen revealed fluid in his peritoneum. An MRI was
performed to determine the cause of the fluid, but came back inconclusive.
A CT scan was taken which was also inconclusive; it did however reveal
some peritoneal implants and cholelithiasis (gallstones).
In February Tom underwent a colonoscopy and endoscope. Again, the results
were inconclusive as to the cause of the fluid. Tom was then referred
to a surgeon who performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy with biopsy of
the peritoneal implant and liver and removed three liters of fluid and
Tom’s gallbladder. Initial tests returned a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma.
The specimens were sent to the Delta Pathology Group in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Using immunohistochemical staining, the diagnosis was mesothelioma..
Touring Colorado
Tom consulted with oncologists at the Willis and Knighton Cancer Center
in Shreveport, Louisiana. They wanted to begin treating Tom with chemotherapy
but he wanted to do further research. Using the Internet, he discovered
Dr. Brian Loggie at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha,
Nebraska. He met with Dr. Loggie on March 24. On April 15, Tom underwent
surgery at Creighton which included a hypothermic procedure which removes
the visible tumor before flushing the abdominal cavity with chemo, circulating
it for two hours to “kill” the remaining cancer. Tom’s
treatment utilized Alimta with Carboplatin for six rounds, one about every
three weeks.
Four years later in March of 2012, a CT scan revealed pleural thickening;
Tom’s mesothelioma had returned. He returned to Dr. Loggie in Omaha
for surgery and treatment and they are utilizing the exact same treatment
that beat the meso four years ago. Dr. Loggie called Tom a miracle patient
and was delighted the first go around lasted four years.
Tom just had his second treatment and he says it’s hitting him a
little harder than before, he’s a little more tired, more nauseous,
and it just takes a couple more days to bounce back. Tom says the one
thing to do is step up and do the research, you have to do the right thing
for you. His first doctors didn’t even know what he had and they
just wanted to give him chemo.
Tom has a great attitude; he tries to exercise and be as fit as he can
at his age. He acknowledges the many blessings in his life. He has a beautiful
little piece of land in Louisiana, his children are all gainfully employed,
and he praises the Lord that he’s still alive and sucking air!
He says he does most of what he feels like doing and he wants to ride up
and visit a buddy in Lake Charles, Louisiana. But, his mesothelioma “is
getting in the way of that.” He also would like to ride his bike
to Alaska after his treatment is completed. Although he has been there
before, he wants to ride his bike to Alaska this time
*** Posted on May 9, 2012 ***