Ethan Astor's Great Golf Challenge for Cancer Research UK

Date: June 17th, 2021 In early 2021, I became severely ill and was subsequently diagnosed with Stage 4 biliary tract cancer. An attempt was made to surgically remove the primary tumor in my bile duct (known as a Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma) but was aborted upon the discovery of other malignant tumors in my abdomen (Peritoneal metastases). As surgery was considered the only potentially curable option, the next step was to begin chemotherapy immediately. Tough news but as I’ve long held true and a friend kindly reminded, “Tough times don’t last, Tough people do.” Cancer of the biliary tract is rare, aggressive and typically only discovered at advanced stages. There is no regular or preventive screening process. The most referenced scientific data in the oncology community indicates a median overall survival period of about 11 months with the overall survival rate beyond 5 years being very low. Without a known cure, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other alternative forms of treatment are used to manage the cancer and patient quality of life. After months of significant volatility with my overall health and condition - including two near fatal episodes of septic shock - I am feeling generally well and gaining strength. I also feel incredibly fortunate for the care I have received in the UK through London Bridge Hospital and the Cancer Centre at Guy’s Hospital. The NHS’ emergency services and intensive care unit at St. Thomas’ Hospital were also instrumental in keeping me alive on a few occasions. No small feat in an overwhelmed health care system given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. I have also recently engaged with Mayo Clinic back in the US for parallel reviews of my ongoing condition and a back up plan in the event I travel or repatriate to America. As of this writing (mid June 2021), I am almost half way through an 8 cycle / 24 week regimen of chemotherapy. This milestone is significant to me not only for the perseverance through treatments and related side effects but more importantly the upcoming check-in to determine whether the current form of treatment is working or not. I am always hoping for the best but prepared for the worst. Regardless of what the results may show, I will continue to live my life to its fullest. A big part of that is enjoying social and physical activities again. I am now fully vaccinated, out and about in the great city of London and have been given the green light to start light exercise. I am thrilled to be back in the gym and on the golf course. I recently played and walked my first 18 holes of golf, scoring 77 on a very hilly par 71 course in the southeast of England. A partner and I won a competitive four-ball match 1-up. Frankly, I was just pleased to complete the round but the victory was a massive bonus as I am effectively building a new swing from scratch as I recover from the abdominal incisions and loss of strength. If there’s one thing I've learned, it’s that if it doesn’t go very far, it’s hard to get into much trouble! Nonetheless, it’s been great to get the juices flowing again and to have some new challenges. Which brings me to my next and final point… I will be doing the 72 hole Great Golf Challenge in September with a group of family and friends to support Cancer Research UK. Since my diagnosis and as I’ve learned more about my cancer through my doctors, other health care providers and personal research, I set a goal to identify a reputable organization contributing towards the advancement of cancer research and treatments. It did not sit well with me that my cancer effectively has no established medical processes or mechanisms in place to prevent, detect or diagnose it at an earlier stage contributing to why the majority of patients receive a bleak outlook. This is surely a challenge with other cancers as are various issues for which further funding is needed to explore and solution. I realize and understand not all people can donate or feel comfortable doing so. If that prevents you, so be it. I only do so when I am fully comfortable with the organization or with the decision makers. To be clear, Cancer Research UK is a large organization. In fact, they are the world’s largest cancer charity. While 1 in 2 of us are currently expected to get cancer in our lives and yearly cancer diagnoses are expected to nearly double over the next 20 years, Cancer Research UK hopes it’s endeavors will help 3 in 4 people survive over that time. Money donated funds research to prevent cancer, diagnose it earlier, develop new treatments and optimize existing ones. Over 80% of their total income was spent on cancer research from their most recent audited annual reports. You can peruse their website or financials to learn more about them and see for yourself. A few years ago, they were named the most innovative and reliable UK charity by a reputable consulting firm. I also have a positive personal experience with them via the cancer-related content they publish and information they collect about treatments, clinic trials and the like. I will also share that every doctor or specialist I have inquired of in my attempt to identify a worthy organization mentioned Cancer Research UK when asked open-ended. So I ask you to donate if you can and are comfortable. Not just for me, yourself, your future self, or someone you know affected by cancer, but for the disease we know it to be and it’s striking trajectory if it is not supported through necessary action. I would greatly appreciate it on personal level and would also hope you can feel positive and content about contributing to both a cause and organization worth fighting for. You can even take the 72 hole Great Golf Challenge if you’re up for it! - Ethan Update: August 6th, 2021 It's August now and we're well into the British summer. I've been feeling relatively well and have made the most of my time outside of treatment and appointments. Fatigue and other side effects are proving challenging and unpredictable but I've been able to manage. The return of large scale events in the UK meant we were able to attend and enjoy Wimbledon, The Open Championship at Royal St. George's and The British Grand Prix at Silverstone. I am looking forward to an upcoming trip to Scotland to play The Old Course at St. Andrew's, the home of golf. I continue to receive chemotherapy weekly as part of the 6 month regimen I began back in the spring and recently had a midpoint check-in which showed a bit of a positive response to treatment (i.e. a small, but measurable reduction in the size of my primary tumor and surrounding lymph nodes). As the objective of my treatment is to try to manage the cancer and hopefully prolong life, we were pleased with these results. The plan now is to continue on with the remaining treatments through September at which point we will have another check-in and assess further treatment options. Separate from treatment, the metal stents in my bile duct continue to perform well and my bloodwork has looked good. While I'm still not at full strength, I feel incredibly lucky to be alive and in the condition I am today as compared to earlier this year. I have been busy planning for the 72 Hole Golf Challenge which my group will be completing the first weekend of September. We will be playing 36 holes at my club, The Royal Blackheath Golf Club, followed by another 36 holes at The Berkshire Golf Club. I've only played a few rounds here and there so certainly need to up my training! I'm hoping the challenge will continue to inspire donations to Cancer Research UK. I was absolutely astonished by the incredible response to the initial fundraising efforts. I even had to add a zero to my fundraising goal because the initial goal was smashed in minutes! As it stands today, the page has raised over 12,000 GBP (nearly 17,000 USD), most of which was raised in the first few weeks. With a month to go before we complete the challenge, there is still plenty of time for more. My family and friends in the states are also planning their own challenge which I look forward to following and seeing how much they can raise. If you haven't donated yet, or feel like doing so again, it would be greatly appreciated! - Ethan Update: December 31, 2021 On the last day of this most interesting year, I have been reflecting on all that has occurred. Sure the medical challenges - a terminal cancer diagnosis, an unsuccessful surgery, several emergencies and hospitalizations, to name a few - have been taxing, but the year has also had its bright spots: - The Golf Challenge was a great success raising nearly 50,000 (USD) for Cancer Research UK which was the most of any fundraising team in the UK. - I completed 6 months of chemotherapy this fall and my scans thereafter showed further meaningful reduction in my primary tumor and lymph nodes. As this treatment has a low response rate, I feel fortunate for my outcomes. Back in the spring, my doctors didn't think I'd survive 6 months. Now they think a year or two is more realistic for me. - Post-treatment I was able to take trips to Scotland, Spain, France, the US and Ireland. Despite a few unfortunate hospitalizations along the way, I had the chance to see family and friends in person, explore cities, play golf and enjoy great food. We saw people we hadn't seen since the beginning of the pandemic and met their new babies and pets. We were delighted to be able to attend the wedding of two of our best friends. - My wife and I celebrated Thanksgiving in London with our first roast turkey and Christmas with the in-laws in the south of England with venison wellington. The effort was well worth the reward! I've recently started seeing a personal trainer to regain mobility and build back core strength. I'm also enjoying cycling on the Peloton when Harri takes a break. Physical activities remain a challenge but I am seeing progress. Here's to 2022! - Ethan