We are intensely grateful to be home for a stretch after the initial flurry of appointments with the staff of the experimental drug clinical study in Charleston. They seem satisfied with the way things are progressing, meaning that we show up in the doctor’s office on time per schedule with their questionnaires about mood, pain levels, and bowel movements duly completed, my veins continue to stand up to the blood draws, and the ECGs reflect continuing good heart health.
I am experiencing some medication side effects cited in the study materials including mild nausea and fatigue plus some that are less common such as sensitivity to sunlight and a rash appearing on forearms, neck and face.
I am tempted to conclude that the presence of these effects means I am getting the drug, not a placebo. The frustration of this situation is that the effects can also be attributed to symptoms of the illness.
And just to be fair, a third possibility exists: that the side effects are merely confirmation of an even more common, ultimately deadly condition called "aging." I cringe to accept the inevitability of succumbing to such a malady. Small comfort to know that my mind is still stuck at age 27!
We met with our oncologist on 10-3, who gave us the most exciting news since the October 2006 diagnosis: every lab value is in the normal range! That means my liver is functioning as normal, my hemoglobin is carrying adequate oxygen to keep me alert and my kidneys are doing their job.
The cancer markers, however, are up: Calcitonin is up 3% and CEA up 75% vs the previous readings on 7-12-07. The oncologist points out that dying cancer cells can also raise the CEA, which is encouraging in that the trial drug may be responsible, not growth of the cancer itself.
In summary, my underlying health is becoming more stable; the strength will serve me well in rallying my immune system to fight this illness.
My apologies for a long absence from the blog. I pledge to do better in the future. Thank you for standing by me so loyally. I’m sure your support and caring concern has produced the good results I’m feeling today.
Copyright 2007
Posted: October 6, 2007
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