Another update on James Sanchez

James Sanchez called me Monday afternoon (11.06.06) to tell me that all is well. He did confirm that his surgery two weeks ago for the testicular cancer was completed without complications - they removed a testicle. Pathology indicated James' case to be a stage two type cancer. His doctors have planned an aggressive chemo treatment to rid his body of the remaining abnormal, cancer cells. James told me he will have a medi-port inserted on Friday. This is a device that connects to a major vein near the heart, and has a port placed just under the skin on his chest for all intravenous procedures James will need. The medi-port eliminates the need to find a vein every time they need to take a blood sample, or administer his chemotherapy. His chemotherapy will start next Monday (11.13.06). The regiment is for five days straight, and will require that he stay hospitalized for those days. James will be at the Methodist Hospital on Floyd Curl in the Medical Center next week.

James really called me to thank everyone for their support. And he didn't mean just recently for this bump in the road, but for the encouragement and advice our club members have shared with him through the years on all of the other aspects of his life - fishing, fly tying, school, work, career planning, family, etc. He was very gracious for all of the people who have touched his life. James spoke so much and so fast that I had trouble getting a word in edgewise. But James is always like that. James is usually the one helping others, sharing of himself and his time, and sharing his best fishing secrets. Now he is having to learn to let others help him through this time in his life. That is so foreign for James.

James was as surprised as we were to find out that he had cancer in his young, otherwise healthy body. I'm sure he was nervous and frightened at first, but he has remained calm and focused on taking the necessary steps to get over this condition. James has a positive attitude, and knows he is going to be fine. His plans to get into the Marine Biology program at Texas A&M at Corpus Christi have been temporarily delayed while he takes care of his health, but he is very excited about getting started soon. He is focused on that Marine Biology degree like he is focused on getting rid of his cancer. Both will happen, of that I'm sure.

Get well soon James. I need you to show me some new fishing holes.

Todd Fleming

(Please send words of encouragement and support to him at sanchezandrew@sbcglobal.net. James, get well soon!)