By Gretchen Keiser

Dr. Carlos Franco, the cancer specialist treating Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, said the archbishop has tolerated his first week of treatment, but that prayer is as important as Interferon.

“The way I see it, prayer and faith are more important right now than what we humans can do. This is a tumor that is very resistant to treatment,” Dr. Franco said May 11.

“It is a very serious situation,” he acknowledged.

Archbishop Lyke underwent five days of Interferon treatment May 4 through 8 as an outpatient at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. He received massive does of the agent, which is intended to strengthen the body’s immune system to kill the cancer that has appeared in the lining of his right lung.

The most pronounced side-effect was fatigue, Dr. Franco said. “He was very tired.” The archbishop also experienced a low-grade fever and some chills.

“He has not had any unexpected side-effects with Interferon,” the oncologist said. “He gets a very hefty does (of the agent).”

The five days of treatment is followed by nine days without treatment. Then the schedule is repeated. This is to continue for a two- to three-month period. Dr. Franco said it would be necessary for the schedule to be repeated two to three times before a judgement can be made on its effectiveness.

In addition to Interferon side-effects, the archbishop continues to experience a build-up of fluid in his lung because of the cancer, Dr. Franco said.

In the meantime, every parish and mission in the archdiocese has been asked to hold a Holy Hour on Sunday, May 17, to intercede for the archbishop’s complete recovery of health.

At the Cathedral of Christ the King, the prayer service will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., but different times in the evening or late afternoon have been set by other parishes.

Asked about the importance of prayer in this situation, Dr. Franco said he considers it crucial. “It is a very serious situation. I have a lot of faith. I am a Catholic and I consider myself a very serious Catholic,” the oncologist said, adding that he had talked to the archbishop about the dimension of faith and prayer. “Prayer will do much more than the Interferon.”