No Trial for Us
Hi Everyone,
Thank-you for all your prayers over the last little while. I know everyone has been praying extra hard that a phase one trial would end up being our miracle but it seems as though it's not meant to be. Yesterday, the hospital was once again long and physically/mentally exhausting. I wanted to update last night for all of you who were anxious for results but I was just too empty. Grace's CT Scan showed a 25% increase in the size of the tumour. Collectivly (all 5 locations) probably add up to the size of a large grapefruit. Although the doctors felt that its growth has slowed (they were expecting a 50% increase in size due to what they saw in the first 8 weeks and given it has been another 4) it's growth has still proven to be uncontrollable. The doctors were unsure wether the VP16 (oral chemo we have been giving her by G tube) is effective or not. The slowing of growth may just be a characteristic of the tumour or it may be the effectiveness of the VP16. As a result, it was solely our decission whether or not we should do another round. Ian and I have decided to do another round just incase it is the med buying Grace some time. Due to the spread of the disease we are unable to qualify for a phase one trial because you must present with a certain life expectancy prior to entering the trial that Grace would be lacking. Phase one's also have not presented a cure for 25 years since a new drug was introduced for prostate cancer. Since then they have simply extended the life expectancy of participants (often with sever side effects) by days or weeks. Grace has suffered enough. So after having consulted with Toronto, Hamilton, L.A, Memphis and Chicago our dream has officially come to an end. We will keep Grace at home, surrounded by the people and things that she loves until we loose her to this horrific disease. Again, thanks to everyone for your support. It is what makes this nightmare bearable.
Love,
Les
Love,
Les
Thank-you for all your prayers over the last little while. I know everyone has been praying extra hard that a phase one trial would end up being our miracle but it seems as though it's not meant to be. Yesterday, the hospital was once again long and physically/mentally exhausting. I wanted to update last night for all of you who were anxious for results but I was just too empty. Grace's CT Scan showed a 25% increase in the size of the tumour. Collectivly (all 5 locations) probably add up to the size of a large grapefruit. Although the doctors felt that its growth has slowed (they were expecting a 50% increase in size due to what they saw in the first 8 weeks and given it has been another 4) it's growth has still proven to be uncontrollable. The doctors were unsure wether the VP16 (oral chemo we have been giving her by G tube) is effective or not. The slowing of growth may just be a characteristic of the tumour or it may be the effectiveness of the VP16. As a result, it was solely our decission whether or not we should do another round. Ian and I have decided to do another round just incase it is the med buying Grace some time. Due to the spread of the disease we are unable to qualify for a phase one trial because you must present with a certain life expectancy prior to entering the trial that Grace would be lacking. Phase one's also have not presented a cure for 25 years since a new drug was introduced for prostate cancer. Since then they have simply extended the life expectancy of participants (often with sever side effects) by days or weeks. Grace has suffered enough. So after having consulted with Toronto, Hamilton, L.A, Memphis and Chicago our dream has officially come to an end. We will keep Grace at home, surrounded by the people and things that she loves until we loose her to this horrific disease. Again, thanks to everyone for your support. It is what makes this nightmare bearable.
Love,
Les
Love,
Les
posted by Lesley at 7:21 a.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home