New device aids Bob Newcomer in his fight against cancer

NORWICH  - It began with a sudden loss of memory, particularly of scriptures that Bob Newcomer was well versed in. Within weeks, Newcomer struggled to respond to simple conversations.

"About November of 2015 I knew something was wrong when I couldn't remember scriptures and I had forgotten old hymns," Newcomer said. He made an appointment with his physician, fearing he had suffered a stroke. Test results showed his condition was much worse than he expected. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain tumor.

"I got the diagnosis while my wife was in Virginia visiting family. That was around Christmas. At the time, they basically told me to go home and get my affairs in order, I had two to six weeks to live."

The news was particularly difficult for Newcomer because he had watched both of his parents die from cancer. "I knew it would be hard on my wife, Debbie, and the kids," Newcomer said. 

Like his father before him, Newcomer grew up on a dairy farm in Maryland. He learned discipline and independence that he now applies to his own chicken and cattle farm north of Norwich. Additionally, Newcomer is the transportation supervisor of East Muskingum Local Schools and served as a minister for 10 years.

Despite the diagnosis, Newcomer was determined to fight. He wanted more time with his family and he wanted to continue working his farm. And thanks to a recently approved portable device, he is doing just that two years later.

After a series of tests and visits with specialists, doctors determined that the glioblastoma was operable and radiation and chemotherapy could prolong his life up to a year. On Jan. 13, 2016, Newcomer had surgery to remove the brain tumor. 

"Because it is right up against the brain, they got as much as they could but they can't get all of it," Newcomer said. 

Glioblastoma can be very difficult to treat and a cure is often not possible, according to the Mayo Clinic. Treatments may slow progression of the cancer and reduce signs and symptoms.

"Radiation and chemotherapy after the surgery was rough," Newcomer said. "I was sick for a while. After the fifth round of chemotherapy, I was really ready to quit - to just give up."

In October 2015, Europe-based Novocure received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to market and sell Optune, a wearable and portable treatment that delivers continuous therapy to the area of the brain where the tumor is located.

Fearing he had nothing more to lose and determined to live productively, Newcomer decided to try the newly approved device — making him the first patient in Muskingum County to use Optune.

Glioblastoma cells divide quickly and make more cancerous cells that form a mass or tumor. When Optune is turned on, it creates low-intensity, wave-like electric fields called Tumor Treating Fields. These TTFields are delivered by transducer arrays to the location of the tumor.

"So it basically shocks the cells and stops them from dividing and keeps them from growing," Newcomer said. 

Newcomer has had the portable Optune device for going on two years and he is optimistic that it is doing what it's designed to do.

"I feel good now, much better than I did the first eight to 10 months with chemo going through my system, that didn't feel good at all," Newcomer said. "I'm still working the farm. Sometimes I feel like I need a nap but that could just be my age."

For the most part, his memory has returned.

Novocure suggests individuals wear the device at least 75 percent of the time to achieve the maximum results. Newcomer wears his 94 percent of the time.

"They can download the amount of time that it's in use," Newcomer said. "Unless I am in the shower, I have mine on."

Optune is not a cure for glioblastoma, but clinical studies have shown that it is as effective as chemotherapy, with individuals showing better quality of life and improved cognitive and emotional function. 

"It doesn't bother me much," Newcomer said. "The only thing I notice about it is that it makes my head warm where the patches are. But it's definitely better than chemotherapy."

A study, conducted for more than a decade, shows that twice as many individuals who use Optune in conjunction with chemotherapy were alive five years later than those who were just given chemo.

At 60, Newcomer hopes to still be around for another 20 years.

In the meantime, he's not going to let cancer slow him down and he's going to fight to spend as much time with his wife, two children and four grandchildren.

"I'm very grateful for what God has done for me," Newcomer said. "I have an MRI every three months and so far the tumor hasn't grown. I'm also grateful for the friendships that have developed through all of this and everyone who has been so helpful."

cschultz3@gannett.com

740-450-6758

Twitter: @infoobtainer1