Hi everyone...thanks again for the support! Dallas is almost through the first week of his treatment and so far so good! He's being monitored very closely and his blood is tested frequently because this is a new trial drug. He also has a few ECG's a week just to check up the ticker which is in tip top shape. These types of cancer blockers are the newest of the new on the war on cancer and the staff here seem pretty stoked about them.
We arrived at our new little suite yesterday afternoon and it's just as cute as in the pictures. We have a lot of pitter patter of many little feet upstairs during the afternoons but that's okay too - they usually zonk out pretty early (I think the owner forgot to tell us that she runs a daycare!). Our phone number here is 604-738-2258 - just in case you're in the area and want to pop by.
Dallas is feeling so well that we plan to go AWOL this weekend and sneak in a quick trip home to Victoria (something about a halibut derby calling his name!). He's supposed to stay in Vancouver but he's feeling so well - being on the ocean is probably the best medicine of all, right? More later...
Love, Patty and The Big Guy
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
HERE WE ARE!!!
Hi everyone - thanks as always for the update reports, comments and support. We arrived in Vancouver on Sunday and today is Dallas's first full day at the cancer clinic. By full day I mean 8:45 am to 10:00 pm! They have a schedule so his blood is drawn at certain intervals throughout the day. It makes for a tedious time but at least we can get out for some walks during the longer breaks.
Tomorrow we'll move into our suite - up until now we've been staying with good friends Di and Jim over on the North Shore. It will be nice to have our own place within walking distance so I don't have to contend with Vancouver traffic - YIKES!!!
I'll try and keep you posted more often now that treatment has begun again - so far so good! More later...
Love, Patty and the Big Guy
Tomorrow we'll move into our suite - up until now we've been staying with good friends Di and Jim over on the North Shore. It will be nice to have our own place within walking distance so I don't have to contend with Vancouver traffic - YIKES!!!
I'll try and keep you posted more often now that treatment has begun again - so far so good! More later...
Love, Patty and the Big Guy
Monday, March 2, 2009
We have a date!
Hi everyone...we finally have a date for the clinical trial in Vancouver - YIPPEE!!! Dallas starts on March 17th (St. Patrick's Day should be lucky don't you think?) and we probably have to be there a few days before that so that he can undergo some more tests. We've rented a cute place that's about a 20 minute walk from the hospital. If you want to check it out go to:
http://www.avancouversuite.com/suites.html#arbutus
-we have the Arbutus Suite. We already have some reservations for the second bedroom which is great - we love the company! You are all getting us through this. Lawrence, you were asking where the cancer clinic is in Vancouver - it's pretty close to City Hall which is on Cambie, almost at Broadway. The clinic is on 10th Avenue and Ash Street, which is about a 5 minute drive from City Hall. Thankfully, it's not right downtown!
Dallas is feeling pretty well- his biggest complaint is nerve pain from the surgery. Hopefully, those nerves will reconnect soon so that phase will be behind him. He's getting out on the boat a lot - halibut season opened March 1st so the hunt is on! More later...
Love,
Patty & Dallas
http://www.avancouversuite.com/suites.html#arbutus
-we have the Arbutus Suite. We already have some reservations for the second bedroom which is great - we love the company! You are all getting us through this. Lawrence, you were asking where the cancer clinic is in Vancouver - it's pretty close to City Hall which is on Cambie, almost at Broadway. The clinic is on 10th Avenue and Ash Street, which is about a 5 minute drive from City Hall. Thankfully, it's not right downtown!
Dallas is feeling pretty well- his biggest complaint is nerve pain from the surgery. Hopefully, those nerves will reconnect soon so that phase will be behind him. He's getting out on the boat a lot - halibut season opened March 1st so the hunt is on! More later...
Love,
Patty & Dallas
Thursday, February 19, 2009
VANCOUVER BOUND...
Hi everyone...thanks as always for your continued support. This week has been wonderful! Not only have we had Marcus and Heather here quite a bit, but Jordan flew in for his reading break. Life is good...
Our latest news is that Dallas will be entering the clinical trial of a new drug. We're feeling really positive about this. We met the Oncologist, Dr. Stephen Chia, last week and we liked him a lot. He specializes in HER-2 Cancers - this is the cell that has been a major player in Dallas's cancer. We are cautiously optimistic about the new drug (right now it is only known as ARRAY-380). So far, the side effects seem to be less than the alternative drug, herceptin, which can be hard on the heart. ARRAY -380 is a blocker to the receptor in the HER -2 cell so the hope is that the cancer won't progress any further. This clinical trial is also being run at a Cancer Clinic in Houston, Texas and one in Ontario so Dallas says if it works maybe we should all buy shares in the company!
As far as we know now, we'll move to Vancouver for a month in mid-March. The schedule that we'll have there is quite rigorous - sometimes we'll be at the Cancer Clinic for 12 hours a day or more. I've been researching places to rent, on a monthly basis, that are closeby. Dallas and I would like to be able to walk back and forth to the clinic everyday if we can. And of course we hope to have extra room for visitors so keep us in mind if you're travelling to the coast!
More later...
Love, Patty & Dallas
Our latest news is that Dallas will be entering the clinical trial of a new drug. We're feeling really positive about this. We met the Oncologist, Dr. Stephen Chia, last week and we liked him a lot. He specializes in HER-2 Cancers - this is the cell that has been a major player in Dallas's cancer. We are cautiously optimistic about the new drug (right now it is only known as ARRAY-380). So far, the side effects seem to be less than the alternative drug, herceptin, which can be hard on the heart. ARRAY -380 is a blocker to the receptor in the HER -2 cell so the hope is that the cancer won't progress any further. This clinical trial is also being run at a Cancer Clinic in Houston, Texas and one in Ontario so Dallas says if it works maybe we should all buy shares in the company!
As far as we know now, we'll move to Vancouver for a month in mid-March. The schedule that we'll have there is quite rigorous - sometimes we'll be at the Cancer Clinic for 12 hours a day or more. I've been researching places to rent, on a monthly basis, that are closeby. Dallas and I would like to be able to walk back and forth to the clinic everyday if we can. And of course we hope to have extra room for visitors so keep us in mind if you're travelling to the coast!
More later...
Love, Patty & Dallas
Monday, February 9, 2009
Back from our break!
Hi everyone...we had a great few days in Palm Springs. We had a wonderful visit with our hosts, Anne and Brian O'Leary. They are such an inspiration to us - Brian finished his leukemia treatments several months ago and hasn't looked back.
We were also lucky enough to be able to squeeze in an evening with some of our gang from the valley. Ed and Sharon Wiens were kind enough to host an evening so that we could catch up with Bob & Diane Powers, Vern and Cheryl Thomas, Al and Leann Wittke and Jan and Dexter Lindsay. It was such a great vacation - thanks so much you guys! Our days flew by too fast! Hopefully, we'll be able to join you down there next year.
Our big vacation news is that Dallas managed a couple of rounds of golf with Brian on the last two days of our stay there. It was a total surprise to both of us . One evening Dallas was becoming bored watching the golfers go by. The next thing I know my guy is picking up a club and taking a few practice swings. I was sitting on the sidelines watching him with happy tears streaming down my face. We didn't really think that Dallas would be able to golf again so this was such a gift. Dallas has been in a lot of pain since then but at least there's hope that his golf career isn't over.
This week will be a busy one - we're going over to the Vancouver Cancer Clinic for an appointment with the cancer researcher. We're hopeful that he'll have some answers, or at least some suggestions for us about Dallas's treatment.
Everyone, please know that your emails, calls and support continue to help us through our days - thanks so much for keeping us close in thought. Fred, Sandy, Conner and Caitlin - thank you so much for your cards, notes and constant prayers - all the way from California. Conner, this year Dallas promises that you're going to catch that salmon!
More later...
Love, Patty & Dallas
We were also lucky enough to be able to squeeze in an evening with some of our gang from the valley. Ed and Sharon Wiens were kind enough to host an evening so that we could catch up with Bob & Diane Powers, Vern and Cheryl Thomas, Al and Leann Wittke and Jan and Dexter Lindsay. It was such a great vacation - thanks so much you guys! Our days flew by too fast! Hopefully, we'll be able to join you down there next year.
Our big vacation news is that Dallas managed a couple of rounds of golf with Brian on the last two days of our stay there. It was a total surprise to both of us . One evening Dallas was becoming bored watching the golfers go by. The next thing I know my guy is picking up a club and taking a few practice swings. I was sitting on the sidelines watching him with happy tears streaming down my face. We didn't really think that Dallas would be able to golf again so this was such a gift. Dallas has been in a lot of pain since then but at least there's hope that his golf career isn't over.
This week will be a busy one - we're going over to the Vancouver Cancer Clinic for an appointment with the cancer researcher. We're hopeful that he'll have some answers, or at least some suggestions for us about Dallas's treatment.
Everyone, please know that your emails, calls and support continue to help us through our days - thanks so much for keeping us close in thought. Fred, Sandy, Conner and Caitlin - thank you so much for your cards, notes and constant prayers - all the way from California. Conner, this year Dallas promises that you're going to catch that salmon!
More later...
Love, Patty & Dallas
Friday, January 30, 2009
PLANNING BEGINS
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
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 23, 2009
HERE WE GO AGAIN...
Thank you so much for all your calls and emails of support! I hope that you'll forgive me as I update everyone on the blog, instead of individually - it has been an exhausting, roller coaster week...
The good news is that we're formulating a plan. Thanks to a friend in Calgary we have a Plan B. Our friend is an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist). He had suggested early on that we have Dallas's tumour analyzed for HER-2. I won't get into a lot of detail here because I don't understand the science, but we made the request, and Dallas tested strongly positive for the presence of HER-2. Our friend had found some studies where there has been success with a combination of two drugs in the treatment of Dallas's type of cancer. The combination drug therapy is quite common in the treatment of some other cancers, including breast cancer. Unfortunately, even though these drugs are readily available, the B.C. Cancer Agency does not recognize them as acceptable treatment for Dallas's cancer. For this reason, Dallas had the standard, approved treatment to begin with - even though it was for a different type of salivary gland cancer.
On Thursday we met with Dallas's Oncologist. He finally agreed that the combination drug therapy is our best chance and is he is willing to go to bat for us. He will make a presentation to the cancer board to see if they will make an exception and allow Dallas to be treated with these drugs. If they don't approve the treatment plan we will have to pursue more expensive options. They may make us pay for the drugs but allow us to have them administered in Victoria or we may have to go further afield.
Despite this setback, I am happy to report that Dallas is feeling really well. He is strong and ready for the fight. We'll keep you posted - positive thoughts and prayers are always appreciated! More later...
Love, Patty
The good news is that we're formulating a plan. Thanks to a friend in Calgary we have a Plan B. Our friend is an Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist). He had suggested early on that we have Dallas's tumour analyzed for HER-2. I won't get into a lot of detail here because I don't understand the science, but we made the request, and Dallas tested strongly positive for the presence of HER-2. Our friend had found some studies where there has been success with a combination of two drugs in the treatment of Dallas's type of cancer. The combination drug therapy is quite common in the treatment of some other cancers, including breast cancer. Unfortunately, even though these drugs are readily available, the B.C. Cancer Agency does not recognize them as acceptable treatment for Dallas's cancer. For this reason, Dallas had the standard, approved treatment to begin with - even though it was for a different type of salivary gland cancer.
On Thursday we met with Dallas's Oncologist. He finally agreed that the combination drug therapy is our best chance and is he is willing to go to bat for us. He will make a presentation to the cancer board to see if they will make an exception and allow Dallas to be treated with these drugs. If they don't approve the treatment plan we will have to pursue more expensive options. They may make us pay for the drugs but allow us to have them administered in Victoria or we may have to go further afield.
Despite this setback, I am happy to report that Dallas is feeling really well. He is strong and ready for the fight. We'll keep you posted - positive thoughts and prayers are always appreciated! More later...
Love, Patty
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