June 26, 1999 update from Dennis McKenna
There have not been a great number of developments since the last update was posted on this website. Terence is undergoing "soft" radiation therapy at the St. Francis Medical Center in Honolulu. There is a total of about 30 treatments spread over a space of approximately six weeks, so if he undergoes the full course, these treatments will be finished close to the end of July. This current therapy is phase II of a two-stage treatment protocol. The first was completed on June 1st when Terence underwent the "gamma knife" procedure, also at St. Francis in Honolulu. This procedure, which is an outpatient procedure that can be done in less than a day, is a non-invasive way to "zap" the main mass of the tumor. It is the preferred procedure when the tumor is inoperable due to its position in the brain. The gamma knife will stun or inactivate the main tumor mass, but the border of the tumor is diffuse, and it sends articulations into the normal surrounding tissue (our doctor, tongue in cheek, calls these "mycelia" as opposed to the "fruiting body", the main tumor mass. Clearly he is on the right wavelength as far as we are concerned!). The followup radiation therapy is needed to zap this "mycelia", otherwise the tumor would begin to regenerate immediately from this mycelial residue. With the completion of this second phase, the hoped-for result is that the tumor will stabilize at it present size and not expand any further. With even better luck, it may start to shrink (regress is the technical term) as a result of this treatment.
The usual course of this type of tumor, unfortunately, is that sooner or later (within a few months, or possibly within a few weeks), the tumor will start to grow again. The radiation therapy is meant to buy time, to maximize life expectancy and also maximize quality of life within that time; it is not and has never been presented as a cure. In the meantime, we are evaluating other options, so that if and more likely when the tumor starts to grow again, we will know what our strategy is going to be. There are a number of promising experimental therapies, and a number of clinical trials currently underway at various institutions. Terence may be eligible for some of these shortly after radiation therapy is completed, while others are restricted to people with recurrent tumors. We are in touch with the doctors who are in charge of these trials and, when the time is right, we will be able to enroll him. This does not mean that they will cure the cancer, in fact, the expectation is that they will not do so. What they may do, is to buy yet more time, extend life, and extend quality of life. One reason there are so many experimental therapies currently under investigation is that none of them work very well; if there was one that did, obviously, everyone would be using it. As it is, there is a limited menu of fairly promising treatments, but no guarantees. Our hope is that Terence will be one of the exceptions, one of the ones who does respond positively to the therapies.
Many of Terence's friends, email correspondents, etc. have promoted alternative therapies to us as the "solution" or the "cure". I want to reassure those people that we understand their concerns, we understand their horror and revulsion at the "slash and burn" approach to cancer therapy that seems to be the allopathic model. Those who favor alternative therapies to the exclusion of any conventional treatments may be disappointed in the approach we are taking; on the other hand, the "track record" in terms of actual cures for this particular type of cancer, are no better for alternative therapies than they are for conventional therapies. If anyone can point to statistically valid data that proves otherwise (as opposed to anecdotal "case histories"; there are always a few exceptional recoveries for just about any procedure, whether alternative or conventional), then we absolutely want to hear from you!
In the meantime, I want to reassure our friends that while the current conventional therapy seemed, after careful evaluation, to be the best course for the present situation, we are aware that alternative therapies have a lot to offer, and we are using them, when it seems appropriate and when there appears to be a factual basis for their efficacy (or even when there isn't, and the therapy is non-invasive). So, for instance, many of you will be pleased to learn that we are working closely with a highly qualified clinical nutritionist, who specializes in brain tumors; this person is helping Terence make good decisions regarding his diet and the use of supplements, both to battle the cancer and also to minimize the side-effects of his radiation treatments. We also have had consults and enjoy the on-going advice of some excellent practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including herbalists and acupuncturists. We are taking all of this advice very seriously and Terence is taking all of these supplements and following the dietary recommendations as closely as possible. He will continue to do so and will continue to integrate new therapies into the regimen as they come to light and to the degree that they appear to hold some promise.
At the present time, we are in a waiting mode. After some consideration, Terence has decided to remain in Hawaii to complete the course of radiation therapy that he is receiving there. We have confidence in his doctors there, have good rapport with them, and after looking into several medical centers on the mainland where he might relocate, we've concluded that, at this time, he would receive nothing at any of them that he cannot get in Hawaii. So, it makes sense to stay in Hawaii for now, so that he can go home to the Big Island on weekends and be able to enjoy his new home, and be close to his books, his computers, and the things and people that he loves; in other words, so that he can live what amounts to as "normal" a life as possible. Terence's spirits are good, as are mine and that of others close to this process, which includes his children, Finn and Klea, and his lover and partner, Christy, and his many, many friends who have been so supporting and loving during this time. Our optimism and hopes remain high; we are discovering a new appreciation for each other and the precious time that we have now to be together in this time. Terence is lucid, and thanks to the medications, he is feeling good. He is thinking and writing a lot, and we are having some very interesting discussions in long telephone conversations every day, exploring not only medical issues and treatment options, etc. but also the metaphysical, cosmic, and archetypical aspects of what is happening to him and by extension to all who have been touched by Terence in some way.
We ask you all to keep praying for Terence, for us, and for the process. It is very important, perhaps most important of all, to keep those "vibes" coming; they are definitely very real, we can feel them, and we need your love and good wishes right now.
Some of you who have been following all this may wonder if there is more that you can "do" in some concrete material way. The last thing that we want to do is to capitalize on Terence's illness in any inappropriate manner; however, there are considerable expenses associated with Terence's care, travel expenses for family members, etc. and these are likely to continue and actually to become considerably greater if and when Terence reaches the point where he needs a more intensive level of care. Fortunately, Terence has excellent medical insurance, so the costs of basic treatment are covered; alternative and experimental therapies, costs of in-home care, nutritional supplements, etc. are not, however.
[Paragraph of information relating to the now defunct Terence McKenna Research Foundation and COPS/Wellness Institute of Technology deleted to avoid any confusion.]Persons who wish to make monetary donations can now do so by making contributions payable directly to Terence McKenna and sent to:
Terence McKenna
PMB 238
369-B Third Street
San Rafael, CA 94901-3581
USA
Again, we thank all of you for your support and love. We are taking each day as it comes and counting our blessings. Now that our webmaster is back in the saddle, we should be able to post messages a bit more regularly; but the process itself goes at its own stately pace and there will be periods when there is little to report beyond what is posted above. We ask every one to stay tuned and be patient, and continue to send Terence your good thoughts, love, and support.
This is Dennis, sending love to all.