Hi everyone....Yesterday was a pretty good day. We met with the oncologist again and are getting closer to formulating a plan of attack. The Cancer Agency will not provide Dallas with herceptin (this is one of the drugs that has shown promise in other HER-2 positive cancers like Dallas’s) because there are only 2 individual case studies - not enough for them to step up to the plate. The better news is that there are a few other options. There is a clinical trial that is going to be starting up in Vancouver for a drug that is similar to herceptin. We will be meeting with the doctor that is heading this trial in the next couple of weeks. Another option that our oncologist is going to pursue is with the drug company that manufactures herceptin to see if they will provide Dallas with the drug. In essence, they would be building a case study around Dallas in exchange for giving us the drug. Dallas would have to receive the drug at a private infusion clinic – apparently there is a doctor up in Duncan that runs one of these. The third option is for us to pay for the drug and have it administered privately. As our oncologist says, it’s complicated but one way or the other Dallas will start treatment soon.
The advantage to the clinical trial in Vancouver is that Dallas will be followed closely. We also like the idea of getting another opinion by someone that’s a researcher in the field of head and neck cancer. Dallas’s cancer is so rare that I think it’s hard to pinpoint what will work the best – maybe the research oncologist will say that there is another avenue to pursue. The good news is that the series of bone studies Dallas has had in the last week show that the cancer hasn’t been there for a long time. What that gives us is time to make a decision and also time to go to Palm Springs – we really need a vacation! The oncologist assured us that starting treatment in a month vs. next week is not going to be harmful. And at this point some fun might be the best medicine of all. We fly out on Monday for 6 days of sun worship - YEAH!!! More later...
Love,
Patty and Dallas
Friday, January 30, 2009
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5 comments:
Hi You Two...just read your update...great way to share a lot news quickly. It sounds as though you have made some postive steps forward and with these new drup options, you can certainly be considerably more hopeful. Have fun in Palm Springs...we'll be thinking of you...L. Anne and John
Just talked to Bob....sounds like a bunch of the "OLD" crowd are looking forward to your visit!
Enjoy Palm Springs.
We think of you two often:)
Have fun Thurs. night, you both deserve it. Say Hi to everybody from the ol'pipeline inspector
hi everyone the holiday is going great. Its Friday already and we are having a great time Take Care for now Dallas
Dalla and Patty, Thank you for keeping us todate on Dallas' progress, we realy appreciate it. We are so glad that you both got away to Palm Springs for some well deserved R & R and time with friends. Your weather would have been much better than ours, we took the Barney up to Ft.St.John for my aunt's 90th B'day. Dallas, may the strength that you draw from your family and friends help you on this next part of your journey. Our thoughts are with you all. J & J
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