Peter was a practicing attorney until 2017, when he was sent home on medical disability to prepare for an end-of-life journey. His kidneys were also damaged from the cancer and three major cancer centers would not administer chemotherapy (his only option at that point). Shortly thereafter Peter was put on a brand new immunotherapy infusion for “metastatic urothelial high grade cancer patients with poor kidney function.” The immunotherapy had not received final approval yet from the FDA. After several infusions, his surgeon yelled out during a cystoscopy “The tumor is gone.” The tumor (one of several) in Peter’s neobladder was the size of a lemon. It was unheard of.

Peter was divorced in 2020 after 36 years of marriage. He and his ex-wife Leslie are the proud parents of six children and one grandchild. His children range in age from 37 to 22. Peter’s family has been an active part of his journey. His children have stayed in the hospital with him after major surgeries. Three of his children have chosen medical careers: a daughter as a bio-medical engineer working on cancer drugs for a major pharmaceutical company, a daughter who is a Nurse pursuing her CRNA degree (Nurse Anesthetist), and a son who is a medical doctor doing his residency at Walter Reed, Bethesda, Maryland.

Peter’s surgeries started in 2005 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan when he had his bladder, prostate, and a section of a ureter removed and those parts replaced by intestinal tissue. His mother was in the last stages of Ovarian Cancer and passed in 2005. In 2015, after Peter’s 14th surgery, it was discovered that his cancer had become metastatic.

One of Peter’s surgeries performed at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, described by his world-renowned surgeon as one of the most “extensive surgeries ever performed in urology.”  Peter is still on the journey and still experiences surgical procedures, scans, and tests, and he has completed seven years of immunotherapy infusions, radiation therapy, chemo rinses and other treatments. Peter’s surgeon speaks about his case around the world. His doctor says he is an “anomaly” medically in uncharted territory.

Peter’s cancer resume is extensive. He has facilitated a cancer support group for 20 years and is a leader and participant in a Christ centered Recovery program (Celebrate Recovery). Peter is an inspirational speaker and is asked to speak at many venues. Join him on the journey and explore a discussion on the pathway to inner peace.