Hello Everybody,
I am so excited that spring is finally here. I thought that we were going to have to bundle up forever. This is just a quick update, since I recently went to Ann Arbor. CT Scans show that the tumors on my lungs are steadly growing. The positive part of this is that it makes me eligible to finally begin the research. I will be taking a new drug called parifosine. The major side effects are nausia and soft stools, these symptoms can be controlled with most over-the-counter medications. Fatigue is also another side effect. I will begin taking this on Friday March 30. I will have to log all headaches and how I feel everyday. I will be going back to the doctor for evaluation every 4 weeks. I will stay on this drug until my tumors are gone, or until they increase in size at least ten percent. I don't have much more information for you right now. I again want to thank everybody for their prayers and encourgement. I am so proud of having an awesome support group.
Please feel free to click on the comments tab below for any imput that you may have. This will directly send me an e-mail with your comments. It is free and you do not have to sign up for a blog site if you just want to drop me a "hello".

God Bless You!!!!!
Heather

MD Anderson

Hello Everyone!!!! Just an FYI, we are in 76 degree weather with sunshine. Isn't that great? We had our very very long appoitments today. The doctor explained to us that there really isn't any options to look into for my kind of cancer. It seems that it is chemo-resistant and radiation-resistant. Surgery is also not an option because the tumors keep popping up in my lungs. The only alternative is to join a research. It just so happens that UofM is in charge of this research. The government would not allow the use of this drug and that is why my regular doctor could not begin the research. We found out that where you begin the research, you must continue to use that institution until you are finished with the research. I received this information and called my doctor at U of M. He said that last week, the drug was finally approved for use in Michigan. He said that the paperwork will be finished and I can do the research with him beginning the 23 of March.
If we choose to work with MD Anderson, we would need to commute every 4 weeks. They scheduled a series of testing for the next 8 days, but we canceled them because we decided that we wanted to stay close to home.
The bad news???? Kevin and I are stuck in Houston for 6 more days with nothing to do. Okay, that isn't really bad news, we will sit in the sun so we can come home tan.
Once again, we want to thank everybody for all of their support. I don't think that I would be as strong if it wasn't for such caring friends.