Another trial bites the dust

I was last heard from in October 2020. Wow, where does the time go?

I pray you are doing well as we enter another politically charged, covid filled year. But that's for another blog.

David began a new trial in November 2020, it never had great results, but the disease remained 'stable' so they stuck with it. I should clarify that the disease can be progressing and until it has progressed 20% they call it stable. 🤔 

So, that is actually what it has been doing this past 13 or so months. There has been no new growth and it is only one node that is the thriving culprit. Today, finally, after giving the treatment one more chance (2 more times), they discontinued this trial. 

Now we wait for the doctors to confer and come up with the next plan. Don't worry said the doctor, we have lots of trials. Okay, I guess we won't worry until they say they are fresh out of trials!

We should know something in the next week and I pinky promise to update you here! In the meantime, please pray: 

-for a new trial that requires fewer trips to Houston (this one was every 3 weeks 🥵)

-for a new trial that produces shrinkage (this one never did 😠)

-for a new trial with no, or mild side effects (this one was good 😇)

-for a new trial that beats this stupid cancer (we just marked 8 years in this battle. 🤮)

Thank you for praying. 🙏

Thank you for loving us! ❤

Hi! Remember me?

Well it's been almost 9 months since my last post. I don't have to tell you a lot has happened since then. But here is what's happening with David. In March, MDA stopped allowing visitors into the hospital, only patients, because of stupid covid. So I stopped coming to the monthly check-ins and only come to the quarterly scans since they are overnight. I just stay in the hotel until he finishes everything and we head home. 

At the last scans in September, they told him that one spot is having progression and has been for about a year. Even though they call the disease stable. When the progression reaches 20% they would pull him out of this study and look at other options. So that is what happened today.

They talked about 2 new trials that they think David will be eligible for. One is for the immunotherapy drug Keytruda with a trial chemo drug. The drug would be taken daily and the Keytruda would be administered as an infusion every 3 weeks. This is much like what he has been doing with Opdivo. The other trial is for T-cell replacement. It would require about a month long hospital stay, but could  offer a long term remission or cure. David told them to be aggressive. They gave him 2 weeks off of everything and will let him know which study is available the soonest.

Of course we are a little discouraged, this treatment has been the easiest and most successful of all, by far. But we are also hopeful that the next treatment could offer long term success. The PA reminded him that he has been on this treatment for about 2 and a half years and really it's just the one spot that is growing. Also even though it has progressed, the treatment overall greatly reduced the cancer and it is now much less than it was 2 and a half years ago.

So that's where we are now and we should know more in the next couple of weeks. 

Please pray that the way is clear for the best treatment option going forward. I will update when we find out what that is.

Thank you for loving us.

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day. That's seems aptly named because from the crowds at MDA today, everyone in the world must have cancer. And also, cancer stinks.

On the way over here yesterday afternoon the AC in my car decided not to work. It has been doing this on and off for a few months. It will start again as suddenly as it stops. I have taken it in to be looked at but it works whenever I take it or try to take it. It worked again last night after David's scan. It worked this morning. I hope it works on the way home! I have about 2000 miles left on the warranty. 🙄

What does this have to do with anything you ask? Nothing really but it is a little like David's treatment I guess. His scan showed stability and no new tumors. So that is great. But there was a tiny bit of growth in one of the nodes. Like 1 mm of growth. So it's working except when it's not? He will continue on this trial for another 3 months and if there is more growth at the next scan (May) he may change treatments. The Dr. says there are many options. He always says that and he hasn't lied yet. So we press on.

So today on World Cancer Day, his cancer is trying to make a comeback? Someone explain to cancer that is not the purpose of this honorary day. Today I claim that World Cancer Day is not just a day to bring awareness of cancer but is a day to celebrate the defeat of the monster.

Please pray with me that the infusion he is receiving now goes directly to that annoying node and zaps it to smithereens! 💥

A young couple just walked by me and she was sobbing. She was making a beeline for the elevator. If only it was an escape. Pray for her. It's really hard to keep it together here sometime. Most of the time.

Also. SOMEONE IS IN MY CHAIR! I come from a long heritage of Baptists. Claiming a particular chair is a real thing. They aren't just sitting there either, they are camped out in that corner. She looks like she doesn't feel well. Maybe she needs the space more than me today.

Please pray for:
Node zapping
Comfort for the elevator lady
Healing for the chair stealer
Appropriate and timely AC functioning
World Cancer Day and all that might entail

Thank you for loving us! ♥️

No change

We arrived yesterday afternoon for a protocol blood draw, which means it had to be a fasting draw. After that we checked in for scans at 7, actual scans at 9. They were at least running on time and we finished about 9:30.

In the meantime, the hotel called and because several of their guests were staying another night, our room was not available. They made arrangements at another hotel and picked up the tab. So it was ok.

Dr visit this morning, everything is stable. Since David started this trial there has been an over 50% reduction of nodules and no new growth. News we are thankful for! But I would love to hear NED someday!

He's having the infusion now and I'm waiting in my private waiting area. Only one other person in here now. The local news is on. I am extremely thankful 'The View' is over! 🤮

So we should be out of here soon!

David won't have scans again until after the new year so here's wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas. I can't believe this season is already upon us!

Please pray:
1. for this cancer to give up. Or more treatments that can kill it.
2. Continuing good health overall and tolerance to treatment.
3. Bobby, Edward, Lorraine, Holli, Nikki and so many others fighting with cancer.

Thank you for loving us!

Not the beach

This is not where we are.

Currently David is having his transfusion. The biggest tragedy is the TV in his room isn't working.

I'm in my little waiting room. First someone was in my chair. Then a lady came in with too much perfume. Now my eyes are watering and I have a headache.

This is worst news of the day, so yay!

We came over yesterday afternoon. Note to self. Traffic on I-10 on the weekend is a no go. Literally.

Scans were last night. Early, 7:30 am, bloodwork followed by Dr.

There is more shrinkage and no new growth and some stability. So that's all great. Lab work okay too.

We are in a holding pattern we can live with. But if they would ever say no more cancer, I'd sure like that! But for today no added drama is good!

Please continue to pray for more shrinkage, no side effects, and Jesus to come! I just threw that in, but whenever I'm ready.

Also pray for kids and teachers starting school, Ross, Carol, Edward, Bobby, Marilee, Lorraine, and the caregivers!

Thank you for loving us!

Cute kitten in a box, just for fun.

Houston Style

I'm in my little private waiting area again. Apparently some people did not get the memo because there are several others in here right now. I'm trying to cope.

Also I wanted a snack so I went to the gift shop and got a bag of gourmet popcorn. I chose Houston Style. Idk what it is but I can see some pieces have a sugary coating so I'm thinking sweet and salty? Ok sounds good.

Wow wow wow! The not sugary coated pieces are not salty. No. They are hot. HOT AS FIRE! SPICY HOT! So I picked out the sugary coated ones. 

Ok enough about me. 

David had scans last night. We drove over for his 7 o'clock check in, 9 o'clock scan. Made it to the hotel about 11. 😴

Blood draw this morning at 8. Dr. at 10. We were called into Dr office early! And the research nurse was already waiting for us! And the news was good! No progression! Then a Fellow intern fellow came in, said there was actually some shrinkage! Yay! All the happiness! Praises and thankfulness!

Then the boom. Dehydrated. Ugh. Why oh why can he not drink enough water? So they are going to add a 2 hour saline drip to his infusion. Ok, it is simultaneous, so it will take an hour longer.  

But no! Then the Dr says no, that's too fast. 4 hour drip. 4. Hours. In my not so private room. With too spicy popcorn. And we will be smack dab in the middle of rush hour when we leave here. Houston Style.

Focus. Perspective.

Thank God for good news. 

Davis is tolerating treatment and it's working.

One third of my popcorn was edible.

The last time he needed a 4 hour drip we were here until midnight. At least we are getting an early start today.

No one was in my chair in my corner of my (not) private room. 

I'm going to get David this gallon jug:

And put this cowboy drinking on it:

Cool, clear, water. (Water) 🎶

He. Will. Drink. It. All. Everyday. 😡

Guess what? Joy! Everyone left my room!

Please continue to pray that this treatment continues to be successful! 

Thank you for loving us!

Still waiting

I am in the waiting room while David has his infusion. There is a little side room next to the pharmacy that no one is hardly ever in. I found it so it's mine. It has relatively low lighting, a television on a non controversial channel (Jeopardy right now), a huge fish tank and a chair in the corner next to a plug. I have my phone charging and a yeti full of unsweetened tea. It could be worse. See:

I am also still waiting on a miracle. Today was not the day.

The news was overall good. Some shrinkage, mostly stable. But some growth in one pesky lung tumor that apparently did not get the memo.

So David will continue on this trial for another round; 2 more infusions after today, then scans again in May. If there is continued growth in that tumor or any new growth then he will be out of this trial and on to something else. The Dr said there are many more things we can do and many more options coming out all the time. So we aren't losing hope by any means. But this has been one of the easier treatments for David. Less side effects than the others. But who knows? Another treatment could be the cure. So we press on. And we wait.

Dr. Tannir seemed a little down today. We both remarked on it leaving the office. I wished I'd asked. I don't know if he was sad about this trial not being what he thought it would be for us, or news he had to give someone else or just fatigue and sick of cancer in general. How could he not be? Or maybe we seemed sad? Anyway, lift him up in prayer please. He is a very sweet man.

And if you really want to know about waiting...
Last night David's scan was scheduled at 5:30. We were really early getting into town. Let's just go early, he said. Maybe they can take me early, he said.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

He finished up about 9:00. There comes a point when he can't eat before a scan. But nobody really knows exactly what time 2 hours before the scan will actually be, now do they? 🙄

Also. Why were they running so behind? Because a bazillion people have cancer, that's why. And a lot, a lot, a lot of them are here getting treatment. A LOT. There is too much stinkin cancer.

I'm thinking David might be about finished upstairs, and it's about 2 hours earlier than we thought we'd be finished so I guess that evens out with last night?

Here are my prayer requests please:

1. Miracle. No more cancer at the next scan.
OR
2. Stupid, uninformed tumor in lung, get the hint and SHRINK!
3. No new growth or progression.

Also please pray for John, Lorraine, Bill, Holli, Melissa, Betty, Ruth, and Pete.

Before I go, a praise. David got a new job that he is really excited about. He will be the new district math coordinator for Seguin ISD. That may not be the official title. This an admin position and promotion! He is a little sad to leave his current district, but they have not realized his potential for too long and it is time. Please also pray for a smooth transition for him!

Thank you for loving us.