Calcitonin blood level is a measure of thyroid cancer activity: the higher the number, the greater the cancer activity. Most recently, July 12th results vs those of June 6 show calcitonin down 25%. This is very significant and very encouraging.
On the other hand, the CEA (cancer antigens) marker is up 3% for the same period, essentially the same. Taken with the CT results reported in the last blog posting (no visible changes in size, location or number of tumors in the liver), these indicators encourage us to view the current status of this illness with "optimistic neutrality."
I am always ready to nudge momentum in a positive direction with a reasonable dose of optimism, just in case it is possible for mere humans to influence outcomes.
This "lull" comes at an opportune time as we search for a nearby clinical trial site for Zactima (vandetanib) (see last blog posting). The manufacturer designates research facilities scattered across the country as sites for human tests and requires a flurry of in-person appointments to launch participation. Early feedback from the Burlington, VT site is promising for my qualification. Trouble is distance – a two day drive – and the alternative of air travel – stressful and costly. For various reasons three sites originally designated that are closest to us are no longer participating in the trial.
Friday we cast a net of telephone messages to pin down more information. No responses: seems everyone was already bound for the beach. We’ll see what we fish up Monday to move treatment along a path we can characterize in terms more robust than "optimistic neutrality." How about "swell of hope?" "Positive surge?" "Affirmative momentum?"
Thank you for staying the course with us.
Copyright 2007
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