Suzie Q Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Hi all, I don't post here often, but I wanted to share the good news! Mom's clinical trial of Gemzar, Carboplatin, and Velcade have worked very well for her. After 6 rounds of the complete "cocktail", she has at least 90% reduction in mets lesions. Not quite remission, but close! She'll be on Velcade only for up to one year for "maintenence". Good thing, because the last 2 rounds really knocked her legs out from under her. Onc says few patients complete the full 6 rounds, usually due to low platelets or other blood levels. Can't express what a relief it was to hear the news! Just a little over 4 months ago, I wondered if she wound make it until her birthday. Faith can do wonders. We are realistic that the cancer monster will be back. We jsut want it to stay away for a while longer! Thanks for all your prayers. I think of you all and pray for you regularly. ~Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 WOW! That's the most incredible story I've heard. She was diagnosed in March or April of this year, right? Stage IV right? Is the primary reduced 90% also? What is Velcade? I'm not familiar with that. My husband has had gemzar and carboplatin, but he sure didn't get results like that. I'd be very interested in knowing more about this, Karen. Are the doctors surprised at such a good response? This is wonderful, and I bet there are others would like to know more, too. I bet you are bouncing off the walls with excitement. God bless you and your mom!! Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 P.S. Yes, and "kickin' butt" is a-ok with me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Great news. I hope the maintenance works for a very, very long time. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Happy dance! Good news. Keep it coming . Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Wow, that is wonderful news . I'm really happy for you. When you get the chance, I hope you can come back and further tell us about these medications your mom is taking. That is such an incredible story of stage IV nsclc and 90% reduction.. Please dont' keep this information to yourself. We want to "kick butt " too .. lol God Bless you sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Geat news!!! Congrats!! You need to go out and celebrate. You are right Faith is a wondeful thing, all things ae possible. David C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 That's great, Karen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Terrific! Kick ANYTHING you want!! And give your mother a huge kiss and hug from us all. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 HOORAY...terrific news. Oh, and kick away!! Blessings, Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 AMAZING!!! Thank you for posting--this is just what I needed to read today... HAPPY DANCE!!! Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted September 11, 2004 Share Posted September 11, 2004 Wow! 90%! That is awesome news. Hope the maintence lasts the full year. You have every reason to be bouncing off the walls!!!! Thanks for lifting my spirits. TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzie Q Posted September 12, 2004 Author Share Posted September 12, 2004 Here's my info about Velcade... It's approved for use in multiple myeloma, some ongoing clinical trials with other forms of cancer. In my mom's study, by the Southwest Oncology Group, Velcade is a protease inhibitor used in combination with Gemzar and Carboplatin. Patients are at least stage IIIB or IV, not previously treated with chemo. Mom's onc isn't sure if the Velcade did the work, or helped the other two chemo agents do their work better, but either way, something did its job. If I can find the clinical trial number, I'll pass it along. We're in the midwest, but the cancer center is working in conjunction with Southwest Oncology on this trial. I think there may be another clinical trial with velcade and d-something-taxol, so there are other combinations they're working with. Mom's bummed that she's so tired, even though much of the cancer is gone or shrinking, but her nurse reminded her what an ordeal her body has been through, and that it would take time to get it back up to snuff. I don't want to leave any of you with the impression that this is the "magic pill" or potion, or what have you. I'm sure you're all aware how individualized each treatment plan is, and the response varies so much form patient to patient. Mom had one mediastinal node with mets, the rest was in the lungs (bilateral, multiple mets), and initially she also had malignant pleural effusion. Still has some collapse of lung at primary site, making evaluation of it difficult. It's only been seen during the bronch, because even with the CTs the area is so dense you can't "see through" to the primary. But that lung lobe has partially reinflated. It had been completely collapsed. So maybe the fact that she does not have mets in bone or brain is a factor, maybe not. But for now, I raise my glass to the maintenance program! Thanks for your kind remarks. ellen, consider my mom kissed! ~Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 12, 2004 Share Posted September 12, 2004 Great News Suzie Q....how refreshing! Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 OH what a relief it must be to you Karen, your mom, and your family to have such good results in such a short amount of time, You have every right to kick all the butts you can find. Hope the new stuff works well also. Take care. David P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJAS Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Karen, Kicking lung cancer butt is A-ok around here anytime! Those were wonderful results and as a family dealing with Stage IV, it sure brightened my day. Steve's return to the chemo challenge was with Gemzar and Cisplatin and you're right, he only made it thru four. Not even a lengthy blood transfusion could salvage his blood counts enough to continue. So your mom certainly has a bit of a miracle going. Tell her to keep that good new coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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