Harvesting Hope: Jacob’s Journey Through Cancer Treatment

Jacob has always measured time by the season – not with calendars or clocks, but with watermelons. An agriculturist by trade, he’s spent decades tending to the soil and running his own business in rural Washington Parish, Louisiana.

“Some folks like to play golf. I plant watermelons,” he says.

Jacob’s summers are usually full of early mornings and demanding days, especially when the harvest is at its peak. But in the summer of 2024, his reliable rhythm changed. What began as a familiar pain – something he thought might be another ulcer – quickly became something far more serious. By July, after a scope and a round of tests, Jacob received his diagnosis: stage IV gastroesophageal cancer (cancer located where the esophagus connects to the stomach).

“It was surreal,” he says of that moment, his wife by his side. “An awakening moment. I wasn’t expecting it, and neither was she.”

Today, at 52 years old, Jacob is navigating a new season of life, one marked not only by growing watermelons and spending time with his wife and two children but also by the realities of living with cancer. Through resilience, rootedness, and a love of life, he keeps marching forward with the support of his family, care team, and the simple joys – like planting watermelons – that keep him grounded.

From Standard Treatment to a Lifesaving Clinical Trial

Jacob’s cancer journey started with a standard chemotherapy regimen called FOLFOX. While this treatment was initially effective, its effects plateaued. That, combined with unpleasant side effects, made it clear that a different approach was needed.

Jacob’s first oncologist, Dr. Agustin Garcia with LSU Health New Orleans, recognized that Jacob might be a good candidate for a Phase I clinical trial of antibody drug conjugate (ADC) against tumors with specific biomarker Claudin 18.2, led by Dr. Shou-Ching Tang, Professor of Hematology and Oncology, LSU Health New Orleans. Because Jacob’s cancer was advancing quickly, the team acted right away, getting him into the trial and starting his treatment.

The day after receiving his first treatment, Jacob was hospitalized due to a complete obstruction in his digestive tract. But within a week, the tumor had shrunk enough to avoid a feeding tube entirely – a remarkable and immediate improvement.

For Jacob, this was a life-changing turn of events. “I believe Dr Tang and his team saved my life,” he says.

Future treatment continued to show promising results. Scans showed that the primary tumor at the junction of the stomach and esophagus was shrinking, and secondary lesions in the liver and adrenal gland were also responding well.

Over time, the main tumor in the digestive tract became what his care team called “unmeasurable.”

“I had to ask questions about that,” recalls Jacob. “What does that mean, exactly? They said they couldn't swear it wasn't there, but they didn't see anything there to measure. That’s almost miraculous.”

Jacob’s most recent scans, as of August 2025, show a stable disease with no progression – an encouraging sign after such a challenging journey.

The Promise of Clinical Trials and the Power of Unwavering Support

Jacob’s clinical trial has been more than a treatment option – it’s been a lifeline. Having been involved in medical research since childhood, including a long-term heart study, he knows the value of medical studies and clinical trials.

“I thought it was a wonderful opportunity,” he says. “I would really like to see it opened up so that more folks could have access to it.”

Jacob’s scientific curiosity has led him to ask many questions of his care team – ones he jokes are sometimes “stupid.” Of course, his care team never makes him feel that way. They patiently answer his questions and ensure he feels informed and supported every step of the way.

“They say it’s more about the patient than it is the trial at the end of the day,” he says. “And I tell them the science is just as important as the healing side of it.”

His family’s encouragement has been just as vital to his journey, providing strength and comfort through the toughest moments. “Anybody that's in a similar situation – they need that support from more than just the medical community.”

Moving Forward in Hope and Harvesting

Jacob’s mantra through the process has been clear: never give up hope. This is also advice he would give to others in a similar situation.

“Just because you get a bad test diagnosis, it's not necessarily the end of the world,” he says. “Go to the professionals and listen to them. Do your best to make the best decision, but do it in a hopeful manner.”

For Jacob, the strength to keep moving comes from his family, his love of life, and the support of his community. Whether it’s through service projects, moments with loved ones, or time spent in his watermelon field, he remains focused on what brings him purpose and joy. And even on days when treatment takes its toll, he refuses to allow setbacks to define his spirit.

“Hold your head up and keep marching forward,” he says, serving as a reminder that resilience is built not only through medicine, but also through hope, love, and the determination to keep living fully each day.