Sunday, March 12, 2017

New Horizons

This past week my tumor marker shows down to 12.  I had chemo last Monday and got through the side effects without too much trouble, or at least I am remembering that part with trying to forget anyway:)
My oncologist called me on Thursday and told me that she would suggest that I apply for an appointment at Johns Hopkins for a trial that I seem to fit with what I have been through already.  It is for immunotherapy since my tumor is shrinking so rapidly.  
When she first told me about all my options back in November, she told me I was healthy enough to apply for a trial and she would suggest it.  I decided not to go up there but just do the Chemo here that was the strongest.  I was also told that I would not be eligible to do First Trials if I started chemo.  So, this came as a surprise!
So, now that I am stronger and feeling more "normal" after the side effects wear off, I actually can maybe qualify for another kind of  trial just from what I have been through.  From what I understand, there is really no pancreatic cancer immunotherapy  ready at this time but they give you the same cancer therapy for other cancers plus a vaccine that will help your own body fight the cancer.  My oncologist feels strongly that I should try this and says she would if she were me.  (Of course, I kidded her and said she is only about 42 and I am going on 76)  Just sayin':)
Anyway, within a couple days, Johns Hopkins called me and has sent me the paper work via email files, first with the appointment request form and then the request form to send all my medical history, Xrays, health insurance information, etc to them.  
So, tomorrow I will call the cancer center and talk to them about filling out all this paper work and see where it takes us.
Meanwhile, today is a beautiful, cold day in Lynchburg, VA, and I am going tomorrow, March 13,  to Ruthie's for her 44th birthday to advise her how to make empanadas, her favorite "birthday" treat:)  It takes hours to make them, but they will do all the work❤
Below I have copied and pasted the names of the Lord with special focus on Jehovah Rapha!
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