Just spent a long morning at the hospital getting everything squared away for the new drug. We did some more blood work, EKG, and a head CT to round off the baseline tests before we start. Signed off on the consent forms to participate in the one person "trial" for an experimental treatment. They have to review all the labs now and send everything back to the hospital's research department, and that will give them the final OK to dispense the drug, which has arrived and is waiting at the hospital. So on Thursday morning I go back to actually receive the drug.
It's an oral medication that I will take twice a day for 7 days at a time. There is a 2 week break between each treatment period. After 14 days (so, one week on the drug, and then one week off) I go back for more testing to see how I'm responding in terms of my blood counts and such. After 2 full cycles (of 7 days on and 14 days off, so in other words, after a total of 42 days) we'll do another CT scan to see how the tumors are actually reacting to the drug.
The biggest risk for this medication is a drop in blood counts. It behaves in a somewhat similar fashion to chemotherapy in that it does interrupt cell growth cycles, so it can produce some similar side effects. There is also a pretty good chance I may lose my hair again. Incidence of more severe side effects are currently low.
For today, all my labs looked good, my lung function is still normal, and other than being a little worn out from a long weekend of camping, I'm feeling pretty good. :-) Please send a storm of prayers that this medication is the one we've been waiting for!
