OK, so it has spread again...onward, and forward. We are still running with the theory that I am still very healthy and strong. My body is still tolerating chemos well, so let's hit it with all that we have.
My Onc believes that we need to do another study. He did NOT say that he was out of ideas on approved chemos. This is not the case. The reason being is that studies have very small windows of availability. You have to get in while the study is going on. What is going on with a patient makes that window smaller. I as a patient must meet certain criteria.
The criteria for this particular study is 1- must have locally advanced, or metastatic breast cancer- check, 2-must have received between 2 & 7 previous chemo treatments for progressive or recurrent breast cancer-check (I'm at 3), and 3- who's cancer must contain the GPNMG protein- check. Additionally, can't be under 18, pregnant or nursing, nor can one have any residual side effects from prior chemotherapy treatments, including neuropathy (tingling, numbness, and/or pain in your legs, feet, arms or hands) that is bothersome enough to impact your ability to do ordinary daily tasks, as this may increase the risk of serious side effects. Lucky me, doing good still!
So I have signed the paperwork for the new study. Of course my body must still meet the screening phase as well, but we do not foresee a problem there. The jist of this study for CDX-011, by Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. is better then the last study I think. This is a "Crossover study". Once again, I may or may not get the study drug. If I don't get the CDX-011, I will get a "doctor's choice" drug. This means that my Onc will have chosen out of the available choices, what he will give me. There looks like there are up to7 possible choices, out of 10. One of the seven I have already taken, but the clinical research lady thinks that I may be able to take Paclitaxel again. (You can't take most chemos more then once.) Clinical research lady is GUESSING Doc will choose Ixabepilene. The highlight of a crossover study appears to be that if I get the "Doctor's choice" drug, and my tumor quits shrinking, or continues growing- then I will be able to try out the study drug. Pretty cool!
Once again, this study will go on for an undetermined amount of time. The expectation is that I will be in this study between 1.5 years and 2.5 years, which includes follow up monitoring. Actual chemo time depends on how well it works, and how well my body tolerates it. The study drug is administered 1x every 3 weeks. Lots of extra tests and monitoring of course, no matter which drug I get. For today, I am not even going to bother with the side effects, as we really don't know what kind I will end up with. If you really want to know, follow the links I posted.
Today I am grateful for the sunshine, and the shade in which I am sitting in to blog! I am grateful for the love I am surrounded with. I am grateful for my body feeling well, and a home to feel well in. I am grateful for all the people cheering me on!
My Onc believes that we need to do another study. He did NOT say that he was out of ideas on approved chemos. This is not the case. The reason being is that studies have very small windows of availability. You have to get in while the study is going on. What is going on with a patient makes that window smaller. I as a patient must meet certain criteria.
The criteria for this particular study is 1- must have locally advanced, or metastatic breast cancer- check, 2-must have received between 2 & 7 previous chemo treatments for progressive or recurrent breast cancer-check (I'm at 3), and 3- who's cancer must contain the GPNMG protein- check. Additionally, can't be under 18, pregnant or nursing, nor can one have any residual side effects from prior chemotherapy treatments, including neuropathy (tingling, numbness, and/or pain in your legs, feet, arms or hands) that is bothersome enough to impact your ability to do ordinary daily tasks, as this may increase the risk of serious side effects. Lucky me, doing good still!
So I have signed the paperwork for the new study. Of course my body must still meet the screening phase as well, but we do not foresee a problem there. The jist of this study for CDX-011, by Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. is better then the last study I think. This is a "Crossover study". Once again, I may or may not get the study drug. If I don't get the CDX-011, I will get a "doctor's choice" drug. This means that my Onc will have chosen out of the available choices, what he will give me. There looks like there are up to7 possible choices, out of 10. One of the seven I have already taken, but the clinical research lady thinks that I may be able to take Paclitaxel again. (You can't take most chemos more then once.) Clinical research lady is GUESSING Doc will choose Ixabepilene. The highlight of a crossover study appears to be that if I get the "Doctor's choice" drug, and my tumor quits shrinking, or continues growing- then I will be able to try out the study drug. Pretty cool!
Once again, this study will go on for an undetermined amount of time. The expectation is that I will be in this study between 1.5 years and 2.5 years, which includes follow up monitoring. Actual chemo time depends on how well it works, and how well my body tolerates it. The study drug is administered 1x every 3 weeks. Lots of extra tests and monitoring of course, no matter which drug I get. For today, I am not even going to bother with the side effects, as we really don't know what kind I will end up with. If you really want to know, follow the links I posted.
Today I am grateful for the sunshine, and the shade in which I am sitting in to blog! I am grateful for the love I am surrounded with. I am grateful for my body feeling well, and a home to feel well in. I am grateful for all the people cheering me on!
Lucky You (((Hugs))) and Good Luck xox
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