The Results Are In...

I had blood work this past Thursday and met with the nurse (aka the clinical trial coordinator) and the doctor on Friday to get the results.  If the disease progresses I am automatically kicked out of the trial.  The trial team picked 3 tumors in my lungs to monitor; one in my right lung, and 2 in my left lung.  The nurse met with my parents and I first and had to go through every single side effect possible with the drug.  I told her if I had the side effect, when I noticed it and how severe it was.  The only side effects I experienced were high blood pressure, fatigue which progressed as I continued with the drug, my hands and feet started to turn orange near the end of the 28 day cycle, and my mouth turned orange.  The outside of my nose got very dry and peeled and was red raw.  Acid reflux is probably the most annoying side effect I experience during the last 10-14 days of the cycle.

The nurse then told me that usually the doctor gives the good news but she couldn't wait for that.  She told me that EVERYTHING SHRUNK!!!!!!!!!!!

The 3 tumors the trial is monitoring totalled 113mms.   They are down to 96 now.  That is a 15% decrease in 28 days of the trial drug.  She said that she thought the high blood pressure was a really good indication that the drug was working.  The radiologist's report commented on the lymph nodes in my abdomen and that they were smaller, and the tumor on my sacrum is stable.

I couldn't believe it.  I think God was listening to me and knew I was just about to throw in the towel.  I can only take so much bad news, repeatedly, for so long.

I had a physical exam again, and went to the pharmacy to pick up my next prescription.  I started cycle 2 on Friday.  I am prepared for the side effects now.  I don't have headaches so I hope my blood pressure is under control.  It made me feel absolutely miserable last time.  I know I will feel ok this week and the next but the final 2 weeks of the cycle I get very tired, and acid reflux is horrendous.

I decided to get a new vehicle Thursday, in Dartmouth.   I had been thinking about it for awhile and wanted to, regardless of what my results indicated.  I got a 2014 Nissan Rogue.  I was able to pick it up on Friday, after my good news, and drove it home.  I love it.  I needed the pick me up!

All for now.  So far, so good.  Keep it going, drug.  Work your magic.