Update on my Mom 1.15.07

We went to Houston last Friday for testing and to meet with doctors again. The oncologist suggested that my Mom try to get on a clinical trial, and this was the reason for the visit. These trials for the most part are experimental drugs, which are not approved by the FDA. Most of these trials are “Phase 1” trials, which means they have only been given to animals. They are not certain of side effects or which types of cancers that they will work on for sure. They have speculation on what the possible side effects are, but cannot guarantee that will be the case from person-to-person.

They suggested to my Mom that she go on a trial that requires her to take 8 pills a day for an 8-week period and then be re-scanned. She could take these drugs at home, but the first month would require her to go to MD Anderson once a week for blood work and follow-up visits. Before she can go on this trial she must meet with a cardiologists to be “cleared” that her heart is ok to be on the trial. Her last EKG showed some different reading when compared to the one she had in June. They did say the EKG results could be for a number of things but she still needs to see the cardiologists. So the plan when we left was for her to start around the first week of February, but that has since changed. Right now she cannot get in to see the cardiologist until February 27th, which would delay her treatment for at least another week after that.

My Mom has been off chemo for almost 6 weeks now. She is still having neuropathy in her hands and feet. This is from the oxaliplatin that she was taking before. The doctors did say it could get worse before better. They have given her some medicines to try and help it. The cold weather does not help with it at all. So we hope that it will get better sooner than later.

Currently that is where we are in my Mom’s treatment process. We pray that she can get into the doctors sooner than Feb. 27th and begin treatments. For the most part my Mom is still fatigued, but she is still working and upbeat.

I apologize for the delay in sending out information about our last visit. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for my Mom and our family. I hope everyone is staying warm and safe with this weather we are having here in Texas!