-Cheryl- Posted July 21, 2004 Posted July 21, 2004 Dear Friends, I just got back from Mary Crowley Medical Research Center in Dallas. It is located in Baylor, but not a part of the oncology department. The good news is, that all of my doctors have met with Dr. Nemunaitus and discussed my case. This doctor is the originator of GVAX. I was also looking at MD Anderson, into a trial being done with Avastin, Tarceva, and Taxotere. A three sleeve blind study. Dr. Nemunaitis said that he passed up this combination for CT-2103/Carboplatin, and PT100. I am not sure if I will meet all their criteria for this trial. If not, I would be given CT-2103 and Taxol. They would probably administer this for 20 weeks- maybe 2 rounds. If the cancer continued to grow I would be taken off of this trial immediately, and given something else they are testing. My oncologist could only offer me Taxotere, with only a 1% complete response! Dr. Nemunaitis told me that I should have no less than 50% response, and some have even had a complete reponse. If I become a candidate for GVAX, he will also keep that option open to me too. He also said that after the trial, he would do the new vaccine drug as a follow up. So, I have renewed hope!!!! I just pray that the cancer has not spread to my heart, and I am eligible for these options. I must also go through a battery of tests to see if I am able to do this trial. I am scared of having a brain MRI again. I think that is the worst test!!! Please my dear friends, keep me in your prayers for this trial. I am so thankful to all of your posts and prayers. I am praying for all of you as well. Cheryl Quote
J.C. Posted July 21, 2004 Posted July 21, 2004 Cheryl, My prayers will be with you, all the time. Get well. J.C. Quote
sharyn Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Cheryl, You are always in my prayers.... YOU GO GIRL!!! Quote
Lisa O Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Hurray for Hope!!! You certainly are in my prayers! Quote
chloesmom Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Good for you Cheryl--that's great news and in there is a lot of hope!!!!! I wish for everything to work out beautifully for you. Quote
lilyjohn Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Wonderful news I hope all goes as you want it too and soon you are looking at recovery and a new life. Quote
ginnyde Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Oh dear Cheryl, I am so very, very happy that this wonderful, hopeful doctor has come into your life. He certainly sounds optimistic and knowledgable. I hope you sleep well tonight with this good news. Love, Quote
Nancy B Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Cheryl, I am so glad you found a doctor with hope - HOPE is so very important. My prayers are with you guys. I'm with you on the brain MRI - I just try to take my self to a happy place til its over. You hang in there and keep us posted. Love and hugs, Nancy Quote
Ry Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Great news, I am so happy that things are turning around. Rochelle Quote
bluebayou Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Excellent news...Go Cheryl!! God Bless us All.. Francine Quote
JimW Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Cheryl, It's great to have a positive aggressive doctor - sounds like a lot of good options. Praying for everyone. Jim Quote
Margaret Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 All of it sounds wonderful. Hope will carry you through and my prayers will be with you. Margaret Quote
Cindy RN Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Dear Cheryl I pray this is the answer. I know how hard it is to wait. I also hate those MRI's of the brain. That cage thing they put around my head makes me a wreck. Good luck. Love ya Cindy Quote
Nushka Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Cheryl, I too will keep you in my prayers that you qualify for the Gvax or other trials and that it works quickly for you. As for the MRI....I had one last Friday. Close your eyes...and think about the ocean or some other place that makes you feel calm. Don't open them until they slide you out. It helped me. Nina Quote
stand4hope Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Dear Cheryl, I am THRILLED that you have this new hope. Hope is what it's all about, and you are in my prayers every day. I've had a brain MRI about 3 years ago and did ok with it, but I did keep my eyes closed. It was an "open" MRI and those are a little easier. I had to have a closed MRI for my back, and had to take 2 Ativan to get through that one. Like Nushka said, I just close my eyes and refuse to open them until it's all over. Much love and prayers for you and Jack both, Cheryl. Love, Peggy Quote
mayos Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 This new doc sounds like a gift from the heavens. You deserve the best Cheryl...and it sounds like you've got him. You also have a 'box seat' in my prayers until the tide turns for you. Quote
karen335 Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 Cheryl, I am so happy for you. It sounds like you have doctors that are aware of the new trials and meds. The MRI test is pretty bad, I just said a lot of prayers and kept my eyes closed, it helped. You are always in my prayers... God Bless and hugs, Karen Quote
SJAS Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 You were way overdue for some good news and it sounds like you got a bundle of it. Such wonderful, wonderful news. Prayers always. Quote
Guest draiocht_bean_si Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 You're in my prayers. It's good to have hope. Cat Quote
betplace Posted July 22, 2004 Posted July 22, 2004 (((Cheryl))) What wonderful news! Hugs and a Happy Dance going out for a boatload of hope! You bet'cha you are in my prayers! Take care sweetie and good luck! Blessings Betty Quote
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