About four weeks ago I got all my CT scans redone to see how things looked after being off for the summer. At that time there was a new tumor in my lungs. Very small though! Dr. Fabian decided to let me have another month and then do a recheck.
I had the recheck this week and the tumor is a bit bigger, but still only 1.1 cm. The other two spots that we continually watch... one appears to be gone and the other is still very small and stable, presumed inactive for good. So, at the present time there is just one active tumor, which is good news.
We had asked Dr. Fabian this summer about a new drug called T-DM1. It is the new wonder drug for my specific type of tumor. It replaces the nasty Tykerb that I was taking as well as the herceptin I continue to take. We don't know much about it at this point, just that they are seeing very good results with keeping things under control while on this new medication.
It is however still in the study trial phase. The FDA rejected a request a week ago to fast track this drug so that everyone could start taking it. So, it won't be available to all cancer sites until probably 2012.
This means that you have to get permission to enroll in the study. There are many criteria you have to meet. My doctor is not sure if I will qualify. We are waiting to hear from the Investigational Site, hopefully early next week. If I do qualify we will be traveling to St. Louis probably every 3 weeks to get treatment.
If I do not qualify, then we are going to look at other options since Tykerb is not my favorite drug of choice! Too many annoying side effects for my liking! But, as always, sometimes you have to do what you have to do!
If you happen to say a little prayer for me... getting into the T-DM1 study would definitely be an answered prayer.
P.S. Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's Race for the Cure. Debra's Circle of Friends had 277 team members and once again took first place for the largest friends and family team. Our team raised over $1200!! Thanks to those who did fundraising or made a donation! Plus, my employer, Seaboard, and my friends / co-workers there just contributed over $1300 through our Friday Jeans Day Program. So, that brings our team total to over $2500!! Thank you everyone for your generosity and support of our team and Susan G. Komen!! I keep telling myself that every year they have to be so close to finding a cure!! There are some exciting new breast cancer vaccines in the works that sound close to miraculous!! Imagine getting cancer, getting a vaccine and being cured!! A girl can hope!
Here is a picture of our team.... well, not all of us, but those that made it for the team picture!
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