We've Added Something New

Well, we have added a new element in our little adventure into the unknown. My doctor called yesterday and asked if I would be willing to participate in a clinical trial with a new drug which has not yet been named, but is identified as MKC-1. This is an experimental drug that has shown some promise in enhancing treatment when paired with Alimta. As with anything else there are some risks, but the potential benefits seem to outweigh the risks. I will be monitored closely (twice a week) during this process and will have blood tests at least twice a week. So, if at any point undesirable results are detected we will stop the treatment with MKC-1. The drug is taken as a pill, twice daily for a period of 14 days. There is a 7 day rest period and then the cycle begins again. The Alimta treatments will be once every three weeks, so the MKC-1 is on the same cycle. The clinical trial is sponsored by EntreMed. You can get information off their web site and there is also information on ClinicalTrials.gov. We'll keep you posted.

We know a little bit more now

We had our CT scan yesterday and the good news is that the tumor is continuing to be reduced in size. However, we will continue to have treatments for the next two to four months. The drug is going to be changed to something called Alimta. The scientific name is pemetrexed. The carboplatin and the Taxol that I have been getting has caused numbness in my hands and feet and to continue those could lead to a permanent condition which would not be a good outcome. The new drug will have most of the same side effects that I have been experiencing, but it won't include numbness. The doctor seems confident that this new drug will be effective and will probably be a little less burdensome in terms of the side effects. But, as they always say, "everyone is different" so we won't know for sure until we have the first treatment. That, BTW, is scheduled for next Monday. One good thing is that the treatment will only take about an hour as opposed to the six hour days we had previously. So that's it for now.

What's Next?

We don't know for sure what's next. I go in for a CT scan on Monday and the results of that will determine what we do. We'll either continue the treatment we have been getting, change the treatment or stop treatment. I'm pulling for the third option, but have no unrealistic expectations. I'll let you know what happens Monday.