Shelly has been feeling better each day. Most of her worst symptoms have diminished as she gets further from her last chemo. This weekend was especially nice since Debbie and the clan were here and Shelly had time to spend with Benjamin and Joshua - better even than chicken soup.
On Wednesday we're planning to go to Mass. General to talk with a researcher who is conducting studies on targeted drug therapy. The new medication kills only cancer cells, leaving normal tissue alone. Though not without side effects we expect that they will be much less than what she experienced before.
The drug (Tarceva) has been used in patients for quite a while and seems to be as effective as the deadly combination she was taking. In this case they are investigating an additional drug along with it to see if it enhances the effectiveness even more. Shelly might get the additional drug or not. It's a double blind study.
Taking pills will be easier but we will have to go to Boston every two weeks for exams and blood testing. The prospect that Shelly will have an improved quality to her life is exciting for her (and us) and with no downside regarding her actual cancer treatment we're optimistic.
We hope that she continues to be the exception and to do better than the odds, as she's done.
2 comments:
GREAT news and a good prospect ahead!! The trip to Boston is not a hard one. Lots of good places to eat on the way home.
Joanne
What good news to go to sleep with! You are all amazing! Love, Alice
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