Greetings and Update from Fr. Victor

March 1, 2005

[See also: Father Victor's original announcement; a report on the Unction Service held for him; and his February Update]

Dear friends,

Another month has passed and once again I would like to thank you all for your wonderful spiritual, prayerful support, and the practical everyday care that many of you have extend to my family and me. Your love is of great significance to us. This entire experience is a school in love, and you are my instructors. Since last month's update, I am extending the list of names of the dear people that I wish to thank, people who have touched my family and me with their words and acts of loving compassion:

Jim and Nancy Forest, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Gregory and Juliana Thetford, Ellwood City, PA; Alexander I. and Natalie Solzhenitsyn, Moscow, Russia; Ekaterina Troyan, Los Angeles, CA; Steve Georgiou, Oakland, CA; Astrid van Der Boogaerder and Justine Lippers, San Francisco, CA; The Mols family, San Francisco, CA; Kurt Patzner and Carla Picci, Oakland, CA; VRev. Alexander Garklavs, East Meadow, N.Y.; Rev. Serge Halvorsen, Meriden, CT; Irene and John Gregson, San Francisco, CA; VRev. John and Eugenia Negrebecki, Paramus, N.J.; Rev. Stephen Kain, Menlo Park, CA; Margaret Sanderson, San Francisco, CA; Anne Wilkenson, N.Y., VRev. Daniel and Myra Kovalak, Williamsport, PA; Joe Scaroni, Santa Cruz, CA; Miliza Holodny, Alpine, N.J.; Stephen, Petra and Lucas Khorr, Germany; parishioners of Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, San Francisco, CA; VRev. Peter Perekrestov, San Francisco, CA; Hieromonk Tryphon, WA; Galina Volkova, Emmerville, CA; VRev. Andrew Yavornitzky, Rochester Hills, MI; Lynda Smith-Cowen, San Francisco, CA; Marlis and Andy Harris, San Francisco, CA; Jim and Carol Collins, San Francisco, CA.

Now, a short update on my health condition:

Since February 1st, I have had three scans – a CT scan and MRI of the head, and also a full body CT scan. The good news is that my brain is clear of metastasis. The results of the CAT scan are not so clear. It shows, in the words of my oncologist, that the cancer is “stabilized.” Which means, that there are no new growths; but also no shrinkage of the existing tumors was visible. The doctor sounded somewhat disappointed, but Barbara and I think that, considering the very nature of cancer -- its aggressive growth, -- arresting this growth is already not a small achievement, considering that at the time of the scan I had just had two (out of 6 or 8) chemo sessions. Besides, some serious symptoms, like coughing and pain, are gone; the quality of life is clearly improved in comparison with that of last January…

As the result of surgery on January 31st, some of my voice has returned, and now, with a microphone and amplifier, I can once again serve Divine Liturgy, which is a great consolation and joy.

My blood tests consistently show remarkably good results; I cannot be more specific, but as I understand the doctor’s comments, there is virtually no cancer activity reflected in the blood count.

Meanwhile, in addition to chemotherapy, the oncologist proposes the introduction of radiation treatments. He wants to shrink the tumor that has interfered with the nerve, which controls the vocal cords. If we proceed with this treatment, it would be five days a week for six weeks, and the chemotherapy would be infused in a smaller weekly dose, rather than the six and a half hour infusion every three weeks that I have had thus far. As of now, I have undergone three chemo sessions, and each one affects my body harder and harder. Please pray for my strength, both physical and spiritual.

With love in Christ the true Healer,

Fr. Victor

Last modified: March 16, 2005