Erwin Bergquist: A Footloose Traveler
Updated June 5, 2008: Smooth Sailing
Jan and Erwin Bergquist are world travelers. Though Erwin was diagnosed with a rare cancer known as pleural mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the lungs and inhibits his ability to breathe, he still doesn’t hesitate to pack his bags ready to embark on an Asian cruise.
In October of 2005, Erwin exhibited the classic preliminary symptoms of malignant mesothelioma. He had to catch his breath when climbing stairs and had a general feeling of fatigue that he couldn't associate with any specific activity. Erwin has been in great shape since his service in the Navy as a young man and wondered if it was just the aging process or something he should be concerned about.
Weeks passed before Erwin decided to see his primary doctor and like many other mesothelioma patients, his X-rays pointed to pneumonia. By December 2005, Erwin was still exhibiting “pneumonia-like” symptoms so Dr. Thomas Brugman, a pulmonologist in Ventura, California, ordered a PET/CT scan to better evaluate Erwin’s symptoms. Dr. Brugman found accumulated fluid in Erwin’s chest which he subsequently drained in a process called a thoracentesis.
Dr. Brugman was concerned about the fluid and urged Jan and Erwin to cancel their trip to South America in January 2006 to consult with Dr. James Woodburn, a general surgeon also in Ventura. Dr. Woodburn biopsied the tissue in Erwin's chest to determine what exactly was causing his symptoms. Unfortunately, the diagnosis suggested that the fluid was caused by a fibrous tumor growth instead of what was actually lurking inside.
The doctor visits were just beginning. On March 13, 2006, Erwin consulted with Dr. Lamar Bushnell, a cardiothoracic surgeon in Ventura, who took one more biopsy that finally revealed the source of Erwin’s breathing difficulties and fluid accumulation. Jan and Erwin were shocked to hear that he had malignant pleural mesothelioma, a disease that affects approximately 3,000 people every year and is caused by exposure to asbestos. While they were unsure about what to do exactly, Jan and Erwin did understand that they needed to seek treatment quickly.
Dr. Bushnell referred Erwin to Dr. Esmond Chan, a clinical oncologist at Coastal Radiation Oncology Medical Group in Ventura to begin chemotherapy using Alimta and Cisplatin, which is what many patients are instructed to do initially. However, what most patients don’t realize is that the standard chemotherapy protocol of Alimta and Cisplatin is only effective less than 50% of the time. Patients who decide to undergo chemotherapy should monitor their progress with frequent CT scans throughout chemotherapy to ensure their treatment is effective. Dr. Bushnell suggested that once all rounds of chemotherapy ended, Erwin should see Dr. Robert Cameron, Director of the Mesothelioma Program at UCLA School of Medicine, for surgical resection.
However, Erwin decided not to wait until the end of chemotherapy for a second opinion, so after his first treatment session, he made an appointment to see Dr. Robert Cameron. In May 2006, Dr. Cameron explained that many mesothelioma patients have the opportunity to undergo surgical resection of their tumor before undergoing chemotherapy. Dr. Cameron explained the type of surgery he would perform for Erwin, a procedure known as a pleurectomy with decortication (P/D). In this treatment, Dr. Cameron removes the pleura, which is the lining around the lung where the tumor is usually located. On average, this surgery lasts between six to eight hours because Dr. Cameron removes the pleura and any affected areas by hand.
Later in May, Jan and Erwin also decided to consult with a surgeon at USC Norris where they offered to do a less abrasive treatment. While weighing all their options, Erwin decided to undergo one more round of chemotherapy. Ultimately, he decided on surgery with Dr. Cameron which was done on June 13, 2006.
Erwin recuperated in the hospital for five days but stayed on for good measure for a total of eight. He felt weak initially but a few days of “stairway treatment” quickly got him out of the hospital and back to his normal routine.
In fact, two months after surgery in August 2006, Jan and Erwin traveled to Germany, Normandy, and France for three weeks with their grandson. Erwin kept up with the group and decided not to miss a barge trip and a concert that required him to climb 200 stairs to get to the seating area. Though it was difficult and he had to climb the stairs slowly and at an angle, Erwin enjoyed the vacation thoroughly.
When they returned, Erwin began radiation with Dr. Robert Lum in September 2006. Midway through his daily radiation treatment, Erwin took a few days off for a Navy reunion, but resumed his treatment soon thereafter.
After a few months of recuperating from radiation, Erwin began immunotherapy treatment using interferon alpha in February 2007. He has felt very well since February but continues to see Dr. Cameron for follow ups every three months.
They continue to do what they love—travel. At the end of May 2007, Jan and Erwin joined friends on a cruise to Asia, China, and Japan. In September 2007, after visiting family in Seattle, Washington, they took another vacation to Italy touring Rome and Tuscany. This is the first vacation Jan and Erwin have taken just by themselves in decades. Somehow or another friends and grandchildren have always gone along.
At his last consultation with Dr. Cameron on November 16, Erwin's dosage of interferon alpha was raised slightly to 3000 mg per injection. Other than minimal pain when he lays on his right side or when pulling weeds in the garden, he has few complaints. He does feel tired occassionally and has gradually dropped weight over the past year. He says he's averaged a loss of about five pounds a month; a year ago he weighed 232 pounds and is now 202.
Jan and Erwin are always looking at the upside and his latest CT scan gives a stable impression of his mesothelioma. So, what is the next trip they have in the works? Possibly Africa!
Erwin's profile will be continually updated online. If you are a mesothelioma patient and would like to speak with Erwin Bergquist, please contact Jessica Like for arrangements.
Erwin recently saw Dr. Cameron for his regular quarterly check up. We're happy to report that his scans look good. Recently Erwin has been feeling a little fatigued so Dr. Cameron has suggested he reduce his nightly interferon injection from 3 units to about 2.5 so that he feels more like himself.
Erwin began his treatment for mesothelioma two and a half years ago. He looks great and is still traveling. He and his wife recently returned from a cruise in the Amazon and are planning more trips with their grandchildren this summer. We are pleased and honored by Erwin and Jan's incredible generosity. They have donated $150,000 to PHLBI which will be used towards implementing an immediate research study. Get all the details on their donation.