Friday, February 28, 2014

Our Visit to Dana Farber February 28th

The last day of February already.  Time definitely goes faster the older you get!  You'd think by now the weather would be breaking but Mother Nature is obviously disagreeing with Al Gore.

We went up to Dana Farber to meet with some doctors about a clinical trial they are doing for patients that have had Ceil's type of breast cancer that has moved on to the brain and spine.  It's known that the drug she is on - herceptin - is great at going after HER 2 Positive cancer cells and wiping them out.  This is the drug she was on upfront with her original diagnosis in 2010.  The issue is that the herceptin molecules have a tough time getting thru the protective membrane that protects our brain and spine from toxins and other elements.  This protective "plastic wrap" doesn't know that the herceptin is there to help and will not let it in to combat the HER 2 Pos cells.

This clinical trial will present the herceptin directly into the spinal fluid through a port that will be inserted into Ceil's head.  This will be accessed for treatments just like the one she has now that is direct to her jugular vein.  The thought is the herceptin drug being introduced right into the spinal fluid will allow the drug to do what it's meant to do.  Wipe out the cancer cells that exist.

In order to do this, Ceil would have surgery in Boston to insert the port and to swap out the shunt so that it's programmable.  Believe it or not, this type of brain surgery is outpatient, where you go in and are checked out the same day.

If we go this route, we'll need to go up twice a week for the first month, once a week for the second month and every other there forward.  A lot of time in the car listening to NASCAR radio - Ceil's favorite!

To be eligible, Ceil will need another MRI and have her spinal fluid checked to verify that cancer cells still exist.  If there isn't evidence of them, she will not participate in the trial.  Prayers that God finally decides that she's been put through enough and smiled all the way through it and it is gone and never comes back!

She's been doing radiation for the past three weeks and is coming down to her last week on Friday.  The treatments are making her tired but she seems to be getting a bot better with the walking.  I've been working out of the house for the past three weeks quite a bit just as a precaution and I have to say, it's pretty good!  I'm able to do everything I need to to keep my clients happy and my company makes things very efficient which is great.  Hold on one sec for a shameless plug - who do you know that can use my help buying or refinancing their home in CT or MA right now or in the coming months?  Please call me to introduce me so I can make sure to help them out 860 305-1609.  There that wasn't too painful, but someones got to pay for the blog!

Kids are doing great.  They've been through a bunch but are resilient.

We'll keep you updated here over the next few weeks as we know more.  Thanks for checking in and a HUGE thank you to all that have dropped Ceil cards, messages, dinners, etc...

One last thing - The Berlin Lions is having a pasta dinner on April 12th to raise money in Ceil's name for the Relay for Life and American Cancer Society.  It should be a ton of fun and 100% of the proceeds will be donated as everything has been donated.  More info on tickets will be posted here once the flyer is completed.  We are in need of donations for the raffle.  If your company or you would like to help out and throw some swag our way, we'll take care of raising money with it!

Tell someone you love them, choose a positive attitude and enjoy your blessings!

Vin


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