What caused your cancer?
- GENE MUTATION – A gene called JAK2 mutated in my bone marrow. The purpose of the gene is to signal my cells to produce blood cells; red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets. When it mutates, it keeps developing blood cells. Thus, making too many blood cells can be fatal. It can cause stroke, heart attack, and other blood clots in the body. I am JAK2 positive. It means my gene mutated. I am making too much red blood cells and blood platelets. It produces abnormal cells, such as tear drop shaped cells, giant platelets, oval shaped cells, and other shapes that are abnormal. I wish I can donate them but I can’t because they are unhealthy cells.
- What caused the mutation?
- Random – that is why some people without any genetic history of cancer can still have cancer. They can be healthy, do not drink, nor smoke, and their genes can still mutate that causes cancer.
- Genetics – I just found out that my father’s uncle died from leukemia. It runs in the family so my chance of my gene to mutate is high.
- Trauma – this is very unlikely, but I read a research that when one endured or stayed for a very long traumatic experience, the body and mind will signal the cells to change in order for the body to heal. Therefore, mutation occurs because it thinks the body needs help.
What is the cure?
- Sadly, there is no cure. I can get a bone marrow transfusion, but that is very risky and it is only recommended for highly severe cancer patients. This is a chronic blood cancer. I will have this for life. It also means it can progress to a severe type of cancer.
What are my treatments?
- Cytoreductive Therapy – I am taking chemo pills to lower my blood count. I have high red blood cells and blood platelets. Hydroxyurea, the name of the drug, or Hydrea, or HU for short, lowers my blood counts. My doctor wants my blood to be on a steady normal flat line. An up and down line is unhealthy.
- What are my side effects?
- some light chest pains
- gagging feeling
- loss of appetite
- losing weight
- What are my side effects?
- Aspirin – I take baby aspirin to help my blood to flow. It reduces the risk of blood clots.
What are my symptoms?
- Fatigue – I guess you have to watch this video to understand my fatigue. My bone marrow is always working even when I am resting.
- Migraines – Thankfully, daily dose of aspirin helped lessen my migraine attacks. However, when I get them, I am paralyzed for three days. I do not want sound, light, and movement. Drinking plenty of water helps.
- Allergy – Warm weather is my worst enemy. Swimming is also my worst enemy. Sometimes, I get hives, but the worst one is this annoying electric ants crawling under my skin. Allergy medicines are my vitamins during summer days.
- Tinnitus – It is only annoying when the room is quiet. Right now, while typing this, I can hear this annoying buzz, flat line sound. It is due to the turbulent flow in blood vessels in my ears.
Who are my professional helpers?
- Hematologist – blood doctor specialist. My major doctor who I see when it comes to cancer.
- ENT Doctor – Ear, Nose, Throat specialist. The doctor that deals with my tinnitus.
- Pulmonologist – lungs and respiratory specialist. The doctor that deals with my fatigue and chest pains.
- Gastroenterologist – intestines and liver specialist. The doctor that deals with vomit problems.
- Phlebotomist – blood takers. I see them vampires!
How can you help?
- Support Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – They provide conferences, online and community support groups. I am a member of the LLS community. Visit their website at lls.org for more info.
- Pray – my requests
- complete healing
- no side effects
- no symptoms
- strength
- peace
- and for my family
- Join events – It can be a fundraising event, church event, awareness events, or other cancer related events. You can just be wearing a bracelet for all I care, is enough to show support. If you do want some bracelets, I have a few, I’m giving them for free. Message me.
- I am also thinking for my birthday a hiking event at ELFIN FOREST PARK. I don’t know the date yet, but I know it will be by the end of this month, on a Saturday or a Sunday.
- Financial support – I am blessed to work for Poway Unified School District. I am covered with most of my trips with the doctor. I only have to pay $20 for visits and $10 for my chemo pills. Hopefully, it will stay like that since it seems this will be my new me for the rest of my life. But, if you want to help me financially, thank you. I have venmo, paypal, and zelle accounts that goes directly to my health savings account.
- Venmo (@Jireh-Advincula – 8582089069)
- Zelle (jirehadvincula@gmail.com)
- PayPal (paypal.me/jirehadvincula or jireadvincula@gmail.com)
What now?
- Last night was my last day of preaching with Inseparable Youth Ministry. I am stepping down because of all these new adjustments. The image above was taken when I made the announcement to them. I am blessed and honored to worship with them. It is not a goodbye, just see you later.
- I will rest and seek God where He wants me to lead. There are several notions floating around such as cancer related ministry, fundraising events, and evangelism. But, for now, I rest.
Finally, I feel healthy. If you see me, you won’t even know that I have some kind of cancer. This is not the typical “cancer,” that most of us know. The one with the stages and death sentences. There are several types of cancer, the fatal ones, the tumor ones, the chronic ones, and the curable ones. We learn something new everyday! Yes, I may have to take chemo pills for the rest of my life and I do not know how this will affect my body long term. Yes, I may form fatal blood clots. Yes, I may age old and not feel sick. Yes, I may live a normal life. Yes, I may progress to leukemia and shorten my life. I do not know what lies ahead, but I do know that GOD is in control. He is always in control. So, no matter what, I will continue to serve Him with my strength, with my heart, with my soul, and with my mind. I am not afraid.
Sincerely,
Jireh
Provider's Hands, Heart, and Mind 