Well, I’ve been out of touch for a while due to a rough week crashing from the experimental drug. Spent time and effort building me back up for the Duke appointment on the 23rd. Although I had improved, my platelets did not rebound enough for me to stay in the study. No more Stealth Bomber /TH 302 for me. We felt blindsided by the news, stunned. Thankfully Jenna was calm and rational and much better at processing the info than I was. I was treated with gem and given recommendations for the next 8 weeks of treatment.
The Duke doc and my local doc (Dr. K) have agreed that the next step is to continue with gem infusions here, add a daily oral drug and reassess in two months. I’ll remain in the Duke loop for follow up testing and consultation which keeps multiple options open or on the horizon.
I met with Dr. K and the treatment staff Friday . This coming week would have been my week off anyway so I’ll get some time to recover, eat, gain a bit, build some strength. Plan is to start the new oral drug on the 4th and resume weekly gem on the 7th.
Needless to say this has really challenged me. I am in the process of getting myself straight with a new plan and moving forward. As I get a better handle on the new details, I’ll get some more news out.
Thanks for all of the birthday wishes that came my way. Had a great birthday weekend with friends and family. Thank goodness for old friends who always know just what you need.
I appreciate all the support and prayers you continue to provide for me and my family– you know that’s what sustains me!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
GREAT NEWS
I heard back from my protocol nurse today after posting my last update. The additional review of the CT scans has been completed and here is what her email said...."I got your CT scan rereads--and it shows stable disease. No change AT ALL in the measurement totals! I thought that might give you some peace of mind."
Remember that no change is what they were looking for. After 2 rounds they expect no improvement and hope for no progression. That goal has been acheived and worth some celebrating! Time for some cheering, praying, drinking, dancing, or whatever floats your boat.
Remember that no change is what they were looking for. After 2 rounds they expect no improvement and hope for no progression. That goal has been acheived and worth some celebrating! Time for some cheering, praying, drinking, dancing, or whatever floats your boat.
I certainly have been slacking with this blog. Third treatment and week off for round 2 are behind us. Anxiety was running high on Sunday night as Jim and I prepared to drive down on Monday (8th) to have all the labs and restaging scans done. Testing was finished by 3:30 or so and we headed to Leila’s. Enjoyed our weekly Thai food and visit with Leila, Maura and Jett. Jim and Maura got to see each other again. Pretty sure they last met at our wedding 25 yrs ago! It was such a beautiful day. Maura and I took Jett for a walk after dinner and it felt great to move around after all that sitting and stress.
Tuesday morning we met with the protocol nurse and an MD we had not seen before due to Dr. Blobe being out of town. There are 3 areas they look at for status/progress. Clinical status (labs, how I’m feeling and doing), scans, and tumor marker. Clinically I’m told that I’m doing fine. A bit more fatigued, at times more appetite than others, but overall doing as well as expected. The initial reading on the CT scans is that the main tumor and mets seem stable with no new growths. The scans will be more closely scrutinized to directly compare selected lesions from this study to the first study there on Jan 5 with results at our appointment next week. The tumor marker is another story. It is high. Well, not just high, it has tripled. We were devastated. Doc says hey, we have 2 out of 3, we’re moving forward with treatment.
We pick up some lunch and head to the treatment room for the first session of round three. Jim gets to meet Kim and see how all the treatment stuff works. The Benadryl I get before the stealth bomber drug always makes me sleepy so I’m not the best company once that hits. Treatment and the ride home are smooth sailing.
It’s spring break so Luke is home and Brent isn’t working so it’s great that all three kids are there when we arrive. Jenna reminds us that Dr. Blobe has said more than once the criteria he places the least emphasis on is the tumor marker. I had forgotten that and it softens the blow a bit. I still wonder what he’ll say when we see him next week. We have a few things to do in the meantime including celebrating Luke’s birthday today.
So, let’s remind the stealth bomber and gemcitabine to get to melting these tumors, direct some prayer and energy at that damn marker, bake a birthday cake and get to the Y!
Tuesday morning we met with the protocol nurse and an MD we had not seen before due to Dr. Blobe being out of town. There are 3 areas they look at for status/progress. Clinical status (labs, how I’m feeling and doing), scans, and tumor marker. Clinically I’m told that I’m doing fine. A bit more fatigued, at times more appetite than others, but overall doing as well as expected. The initial reading on the CT scans is that the main tumor and mets seem stable with no new growths. The scans will be more closely scrutinized to directly compare selected lesions from this study to the first study there on Jan 5 with results at our appointment next week. The tumor marker is another story. It is high. Well, not just high, it has tripled. We were devastated. Doc says hey, we have 2 out of 3, we’re moving forward with treatment.
We pick up some lunch and head to the treatment room for the first session of round three. Jim gets to meet Kim and see how all the treatment stuff works. The Benadryl I get before the stealth bomber drug always makes me sleepy so I’m not the best company once that hits. Treatment and the ride home are smooth sailing.
It’s spring break so Luke is home and Brent isn’t working so it’s great that all three kids are there when we arrive. Jenna reminds us that Dr. Blobe has said more than once the criteria he places the least emphasis on is the tumor marker. I had forgotten that and it softens the blow a bit. I still wonder what he’ll say when we see him next week. We have a few things to do in the meantime including celebrating Luke’s birthday today.
So, let’s remind the stealth bomber and gemcitabine to get to melting these tumors, direct some prayer and energy at that damn marker, bake a birthday cake and get to the Y!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
