One Of Our Own Needs Your Prayers - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sgad · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: One Of Our Own Needs Your Prayers

Mozartscat · RV-Dreams Community Member

Scott,
I've been lurking for a while and only just joined the board. Your sunny personality and positive outlook is a beautiful thing to behold and a reminder to us all to enjoy every moment! Warm thoughts and prayers from us to you!

sgad · RV-Dreams Family Member

My Fellow RV-Dreamers,

To add another twist to my situation I should say something about my brother, Shayne.He owns and operates a consulting company, Gad Consulting, out of Cary, NC and his clients are both national and international pharmaceutical companies.He helps them to set up and execute procedures for testing new drugs or medical equipment/procedures and then helps them through the process of procuring FDA approval for their new products.This allows him to go one-on-one with my doctors—and particularly my Oncologist—about any procedures or drugs they propose for my treatment.This takes the term informed consent to a whole different level.More importantly this allows him to be very knowledgeable not only about what new drugs and procedures are out there—and how effective they really are--but also what is in the pipeline or on the horizon.

This also gives him an inside track on any clinical trials/testing of proposed ‘new’ drugs that are starting up out there and might help to include me in any human testing of ‘promising’ new therapies.Having said this I must report that I would not currently be considered a suitable candidate for such programs as I am what is called asymptomatic (i.e., currently without any symptoms of my disease).In other words, I am too darn healthy to be considered a ‘good’ test subject.Apparently drug companies need individuals with symptoms that can be ‘cured’, or at least improved upon, in order to test their new products--but down the road, as my condition deteriorates, this may prove very important for me.

Scott

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Scott,

Sounds like you have a great resource available to you - your brother. He has the best background you could ask for for evaluating various treatment options. We had considered moving to Cary, NC during our travels - I'm a biostatistician / SAS Programmer and Cary and the surrounding area has a lot of opportunities for that type of work. But we opted for Florida since there aren't any opportunities for sailing in Cary.

I'm glad to hear you are "too healthy" for enrollment in the clinical trials. Your positive outlook should go a long way toward keeping it that way.

I also wanted to mention that an acquaintance of ours was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer about two years ago. He is still going strong and living life to the fullest. His daughters (ages 11 and 9) recently wrote a book called "My Dad has Cancer" which they are using to try to raise money for cancer research. Here is the link to their website: http://mydadhascancer.org/ as well as a transcript from a recent news story: http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=10597405

I believe that hope, optimism, and prayer can do a miraculous job of fighting illness. You are doing a great job of providing the hope and optimism and your friends here at RV Dreams are doing a great job of providing the prayers.

Best wishes,
Colleen

sgad · RV-Dreams Family Member

My fellow RV-Dreamers,

I just thought that it may be a good time for an update since I have not communicated with many of my well wishers since last July.

For the most part I am faring relatively well. I have been undergoing Chemo therapy treatments on a three week cycle every since I last wrote. This involves a sit down infusion session involving a Chemo drug called Oxaliplatin followed by two weeks of taking an oral Chemo drug--four tablets, twice a day--called Xeloda. I then get a one week reprieve before starting the whole process all over again. So far, according to my latest CAT scans, my cancer has remained constrained to the same place and size as it was when first detected back in June--it is not spreading, so far. Very hopeful for a person who was given a prognosis of six months to one year! Unfortunately the side effects of continued use of these Chemo drugs is starting to tell on my energy levels, appetite, and general feeling of well being. Oh well, at least I still have my hair.

If you have been following my activities on my website--http://www.serenityadventure,com--you know that I have attempted to keep active with numerous road-trips with my brother and, sometimes with his kids. The big trip involved a trip around America that consumed the entire month of October. We took this opportunity to visit with friends and relatives primarily in the Southwest. To some degree this was intended as a possible farewell visit on my part but being the eternal optimist, I have already made plans for a late May return visit with all of these folks. On return from this road trip it was determined that I had a blockage involving my kidney and I was implanted with tubes that bypass my bladder and drain directly into collection bags that I keep strapped to my ankles--there is no indication that this is in anyway related to my cancer. I am in high hopes that this is a temporary condition and will soon be resolved and I can rid myself of the tubes and bags.

It is still my intention to attend the 2010 RV-Dreams Rally in South Carolina during the second week of April. I won't be driving my rig down but have reserved one of the one-bedroom cottages on the campgrounds. I look forward to seeing all of my fellow RVers whom I met at the 2008 rally in Branson, those that I may have met on the road, those who have wished me well through this forum string, and any other RV-Dreamers out there who may attend. I really miss the adventure and comradeship that being on the road afforded me.

Regards,

Scott Gad

Kerri · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello Scott... I am a newer member of the Dreamers Family, and just became aware of your situation after reading this most recent post.

Thank you for taking the time to update us on your circumstances. I will add my name to the long lists of people praying for you and who are in awe of your determination, peace and serenity.

I know that everyone who knows you personally considers it a great honor to have you as a friend.

Kerri in Alabama

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh Scott, just a few days ago I was wondering about you. I am SOOOO glad to see your post. How I wish we could be at the Rally. However, we just started fulltiming, leaving NJ, on 2/1 and need to attend to family situations in Louisiana and from there head to Missouri for a project in April. No time to head back east.

Again, we wish you the very best and so glad you are keeping us informed. God Bless.

Phyllis

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Scott! I have not met you, but MY Prayers are with you! "TRUST IN GOD". There are so many caring and loving people in this RV Community site. This is the reason I decided to come back to fulltiming and workamping, because of all the support system here that most of the traditional lifestyles are lacking. 'One Day at A Time" I believe with all your courage and the compassion you have expressed in your posts, that have touched my heart and I will be able to remember them when needed. Pieere!

Gravy1159 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Scott, I just found your post and we too are including you in our prayers! Please keep the faith and life will continue strong. I wish we could make it to the rally, But we are still waiting on the house to sell. I hope we will meet down the road!

God Bless You,

jimdee · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm so glad you'll be at the rally. We didn't talk much at Branson, but sure good to catch up with you again. You're quite an inspiration and we'll see you in April!

Howard · Host

Sadly, we must report that Scott M. Gad passed away late last month. We just discovered the news today.

There is an obituary for Scott posted on Legacy.com that will remain up for a few weeks and includes a guestbook for those that would like to leave a message for the family.

We corresponded often with Scott through the years and we got to spend a little time with him at the 2008 Rally. Unfortunately, he had to cancel in both 2009 and 2010 due to his health.

However, he did leave us with a plaque to give out each year to the Rally attendee that travels the fartherest. It will now be known as the Scott M. Gad Memorial Plaque.

I know several in the RV-Dreams Family have met and gotten to know Scott over the past few years. He was a great guy and he will be missed by this community.

We'll miss you Scott.

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

I met Scott, his brother Shayne and his dog Bonnie. We met at a Cracker Barrell in Texas last year and had an apple cobbler.

But, I got a lot more. We shared laughs and serious life discussions. He was truly a gentle soul, knowing his days were numbered, but determined to make the most of them.

We e-mailed weekly and talked by phone ,occasionally, up until just over two weeks ago. I will miss his friendship. He was a true RV Dreamer.

Charles

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

It is amazing the sadness one can feel for the loss of someone they never met.

I will continue to keep Scott and his family in my thoughts.

Howard, thanks for posting the picture.

Colleen

-- Edited by pierreandcolleen on Wednesday 5th of May 2010 06:20:02 PM