Duke consultation

We have a 10:00 appointment to see Dr. Blobe. Oncology has forwarded all of my records and we have brought a disk of my ultrasound and CT studies from home. The emotional roller coaster is almost indescribable. Dr. Blobe is very kind and friendly. He reviews all of my medical and personal information. I smile as I inform him that we just celebrated our 25th and had plans for many more. Yes I have three children ages 19, 21 and 23 whose graduations, wedding and children, by the way, have not arrived yet. He mentions that there are a few protocols in place at the moment and he has asked nurses from two of them to meet with us. We learn that the protocols are in Phase 2 and that Phase 1 protocols are done to establish dose tolerances. So, in both cases the dosing has been determined. Both protocols use Gemcitabine (the traditional chemo for pancreatic cancer) plus another drug.

He goes to review the CT disk and we meet the first nurse. She describes her protocol and is not able to give us an answer when we ask about the results they’ve seen in Phase 1. Jim, Jenna and I don’t talk about it but we each wonder if this is the reason we came down here because it doesn’t sound “exciting” as we’d been told previously.

Dr. Blobe returns and says, “First, I have to tell you what you have going for you”. Gotta love this guy. The fact that his internship and residency were in Boston sort of bias him for Jenna and me anyway. He proceeds to tell me that I am young and healthy. Literally, there is nothing else wrong with me (pesky Stage 4 pancreatic cancer aside). Yes I have some lesions in my liver but not a great deal and that folks who get in trouble early with pancreatic cancer are the ones losing weight by the time they present. I laugh out load. Lose weight? Not only have I not lost weight but believe I have gained a few pounds since Jim and I returned from our fabulous Caribbean vacation in November. Dr. Blobe is thrilled.

Now he starts telling us about the “exciting” study that is going on. We need a better drug than Gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer but we don’t have one. He’s been hopeful before about things that did not pan out but never excited as he is now about this experimental drug. The three of us look a bit confused. He looks down in my hand and sees the study we discussed with the first nurse. “Oh, not that one. Let me get the one that I’m talking about”. He comes back with a big smile on his face and proceeds to tell us about TH302. Doesn’t have a name yet but they call it Threshold since that is the name of the drug company producing it. This drug targets low oxygen environments and I learn that tumors tend to be low oxygen environments. It makes its way there and releases itself. Sound kind of stealth bomberish to me.

Results in Phase 1, we ask. Well, we never heard this from him but he has a patient with at 70% reduction in tumors and one with a 90% reduction. We almost fall off of our chairs. I believe that Jim’s face and body have actually relaxed a little. Dr. Blobe introduces us to Paula who is the nurse for this protocol. She runs through all of the logistics and answers our questions. More questions for Dr. Blobe and we are about ready to sign off on it. Oh, nope, can’t let you do that. We have to prove that you’ve had time to think about it so you’ll need to come back if you are interested.