Here’s a little more clarification on my treatment plan. I still have 3 drugs of chemo. The study would add a fourth, not replace the regular chemo. I don’t have much choice about taking the 3 drugs. Those are pretty much a given, if I’m going to be sure it doesn’t come back. The fourth drug, while having a coupld side-effects that are not listed in the first 3, also carries the probability of improving my chances of the cancer NOT coming back. Also, the 4th drug is taken at the same time as one of the others so it doesn’t increase treatment time, unless I’m in the group given the opportunity to continue.

I will still have the 4 initial treatments spaced 2 wks apart, for the first 6 wks. Then begin a regime of 12 treatments with or without the trial drug of 1 treatment every 7 days for 12 weeks. So, I’m in for about 18 weeks, regardless. Then if I’m in the study, and am in the one group, then I would be given the opportunity to continue with the new drug 10 times 21 days apart (I believe it is in pill form) if I choose.

I think there are only a couple side-effects that are not listed on at least one of the other 3 drugs. One is a possibility of diabetic neuropathy developing in my hands or feet, but as soon as it is noticed, if we stop the drug, it is reversable. Also, this is mildly a side-effect if one of the chemo drugs, so, its likely to happen anyway, but not as severe.

As everybody knows, the chemo will decrease both my white & red blood cells, but with the trial drug, the decrease in white cels will possibly be 24% vs. the normal 16% without the extra drug.

Blood clots is an additional risk with the trial drug. It is more of a risk to those age 65+ where they’ve seen an increase from 2.9% with chemo alone to 8.5% in this age group with this trial drug.

Both, with or without the added drug, I risk getting Leukemia, damage to the esophogus & stomach lining, heart damage (I’m taking an echogram Wed for base monitoring) including higher or lower blood pressure, palpatations or irregular heartbeats, and some others.

With or without the trial drug, I stand a risk of internal bleeding, in both the stomach and the intestines, but the risk is higher with the trial drug. But, these were seen primarily in the use of the drug with patients that had colorectal cancers and were receiving higher doses. Also the higher risk of lung damage or bleeding was seen in the lung cancer patients, again using higher doses.

This is the first trial, I believe where it is being used in lighter doses on a lower level of cancer. It has proved itself in stage IV breast cancer increasing the length of time before progression continued, and increased remission rates. The same types of usage has been done with higher stages of lung and colorectal cancers. But, this is the first time it is being used on those that have a good chance of total remission without the drug already. The hope is that this will bring those with early stages of breast cancer into an even higher level of survival rate, without as many side-effects because of the lesser doses.

With all the other side-effects considered, and only the possibility of higher percentages of a couple of them (meaning I might/probably have those problems anyway, it will just be to a higher degree or a higher possibility with the trial drug) I guess I’m not as inclined to be anymore afraid of the additional drug as I would be if I was taking it alone. The standard chemo cocktail already contains enough side-effects to knock down healthy (other than the cancer), vigorous individuals, so what’s a little more?

I might get lucky and really be assured of never having the cancer come back (of course, I run that possible benefit even without the added drug). And I might get lucky and only serve as a counter-balance by receiving only the placebo medicine.

It can lengthen my treatment time, if I’m in the right group, and chose to continue, but I would also have the option of saying, I’ve tested the extra drug enough. I’m ready to quit, with no problems. So, the length of treatments doesn’t have to be increased at all.

Wednesday I will have a chance to ask the DR how much he considered my present and previous health factors before offering me this study, and obviously if he feels truly they pose no extra risk to me. I am obese, lead a sedentary lifestyle, diabetic, have Fibromyalgia, and have a disease called Sarcoidosis, which is an auto-immune disease already, but it seems to be under control again with a mild dose of Prednisone. Or if he just recommended the study with a cursor glance that I didn’t have any major serious things that might effect the study and based his decision primarily on the fact that my higher risk cancer makes me a candidate.

I think that’s about all I can share on this study at this point, and after talking to the DR on Wednesday, and find that he has no problems with my existing health being a problem, I will probably go ahead and participate. I’ve been back and forth on this probably a dozen times, but I think with the time I’ve sat and looked at what I’m already going to receive, risks, possibilities, side-effects, and the few increased or additionals, it doen’t matter much more than the difference between the Atlantic and the Pacific. They are both huge, and once you get that big, you are way past being a lake, so why worry now!???!

Please pray that I am making God’s choice and that this is what he feels is best for me. He’s kinda hard to read sometimes, so maybe if everybody asks, and the question is really loud, He will answer really loud!??!!

Blessings to all of you, and may you have a wonderful day! I’m going to get aspirated again, so I’ll feel better later hahahaha
–Sherry