October 26, 2009

Ken, Todd and I went with Mom this morning for her oncology consult. I feel like we got all good news, praise God. I can't say enough good things about mom's doctor and the staff at the West Clinic. The clinic is almost on the Christian Brothers campus too which is where Ken teaches!!
The official diagnosis is Adenocarcinoma which is a non small cell lung cancer. When they performed the biopsy they actually removed a 2cm mass from mom's right lung; I didn't know that. She was able to complete the PETscan today and we should have results tomorrow or Wednesday. They want to start her chemo on Friday!! Yay!
There are 3 chemo drugs which treat this type of lung cancer: paclitaxel, gemcitabine and pemetrexed. She will be on one of these drugs plus a drug called carboplatin as her chemo therapy.
Mom also signed up for a clinical trial drug that is approved for other types or cancer and highly successful but has not been approved yet for the treatment of lung cancer. This drug is Erbitux. Cliff note version of this drug is that it inhibits the cancer cells from communicating with healthy cells to recruit them to cancer cells. So, while the chemo attacks the cancer cells the Erbitux prevents the healthy cells from becoming cancer cells. Pretty cool huh?!
There are many advantages to being in the trial.
1.) The drugs are free and proven to improve the effects of the known successful chemo treatments.
2.) Additional screening and testing will be provided at no additional cost to mom.
3.) We will get results after every 2 rounds of chemo treatments, so every 3 weeks. If she is not in the trial we will have to wait for all 6 rounds before the catscan to determine results.
4.) There is no placebo used in this clinical trial, everyone gets the drug.
The draw back is that once she qualifies for the treatment her doctor will not be able to pick which of the three chemo drugs are used. Two out of the three Dr. B is perfectly happy with; the third she would not recommend if it were her mom. Our chances are better than 60% that they will not select that one drug so please pray for the qualification and the selection of the recommended chemo drugs.
When Dr. B listened to mom's lungs today she asked her how she felt. Mom still has been experiencing an upset stomach but didn't mention anything about coughing or the extreme shortness of breath she did have. Dr. B feels the stomach issues are due to the medications and anxiety. She said that mom's lungs sounded so much better today than last week when she listened to her. Amazing, no drugs yet and already signals of improvement! We believe in the power of prayer.
There will be 6 rounds of chemo treatments with or without the trial drug. We are praying for clean PETscan results and qualification into the research drugs. Once qualified we are praying that she will be selected for the most gentle chemo drugs to be administered with the carboplatin and Eritux.
I think we have all been a little sick to our stomachs waiting to learn more about the situation and what our plan for healing will be medically. All of us know the ultimate plan is to pray for the power of God to answer by mom being cancer free after treatment. I know that mom is scared all the same of the prognosis but comforted in the power of knowledge. Once we get the PETscan results we will be out of the dark on exactly what we are fighting. Starting treatments Friday will be a relief for us all to know we are attacking the cancer that is living within my mom.
When I talked to Sherry yesterday all the meals were scheduled for the rest of this week. Wow! Mom and Ken not having to worry about meal preparation is such a relief for them and for me because I would insist on helping them and they would fight me every step of the way. I say this in every blog but thank you for the support in every way. Those that have called and prayed over them with Ken by phone is one of the most healing feelings you can provide. Erica and I have discussed the comments left and we are amazed at the distance this news has traveled and the depth of God's love for our mom.
I am so proud of my mom's strength and beauty. She is facing this knowing that the full armour of God wrapped around her through your prayers of healing. She has amazing courage and the most positive attitude. As we face the next 18-20 weeks of her treatment I know that God will continue to strengthen us all when we feel our faith is failing and/or our spirits are sinking. We love you all very much and I know if you could see my mom's beautiful smile you would find comfort in it the same as I have found every day of my life. She believes that with your support and the power of our prayers God is going to heal her and strengthen us all for the trial. Amen mom! You are an inspiration to us all and we are committed to your fight.