It has been cloudy, warm, and wet for a while here in northwest Georgia. We have had very little in the way of actual rain, but sprinkles many days and high humidity every day. I don’t mind this kind of weather. I like the look of the bare, winter trees’ branches in the fog we often have up on the mountain – low clouds, actually, but it seems to us that we are in a fog.
My brother’s potential pancreatic cancer treatment course has branched again. His first chemotherapy had no evident effect. He and his doctor intended to enroll him in one of several clinical trials in his area. However, he had a blood test Tuesday morning, and the results disqualified him from the trial he was aiming for, as well as the other trials. He said his blood showed some anticlotting factors that ruled him out.
The next possibility is targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is aimed at cancer cell metabolism, like typical chemotherapy, but while typical chemotherapy targets characteristics of cancer cells that are shared by other, normal cells in the body, targeted therapy is intended to target characteristics that are specific to certain cancer cells’ metabolisms. Henry said that the targeted therapy he hopes to try is actually for colorectal cancer, but the treatment attacks a gene that colorectal cancer has in common with his particular cancer.
He said this treatment is given orally, which I’m sure he was relieved to hear; he still has problems with his right hand because of extremely sloppy and incompetent attempts to insert an IV into his right arm weeks ago. The American Cancer Society describes a couple of therapies that are given by IV, and one that is given orally. The ACS Web site says, “This drug is used to treat advanced colorectal cancer, typically when other drugs are no longer helpful.” That sounds about right.
Side effects can include fatigue, loss of appetite, irritation of the hands and feet, diarrhea, high blood pressure, weight loss, and abdominal pain.
Some targeted therapies have had decent results in life extension. None are cures.
There is still a possibility that something in Henry’s blood test will exclude him from this treatment. If not, he expects to start the treatment on the first of March.
I am so sorry that your brother is having to wend his way through this maze of doctors and treatments. And such a bummer that an IV injured his hand. Modern medicine has such sad side effects and downsides. Still we always hold out hope that there will be some intervention that will help. Roger did an oral chemo therapy for his colon cancer back in 2011. It worked out well for him. I hope something gives Henry relief and time. Beautiful foggy image.
Robin — My brother’s new therapy started Thursday. He will take four pills a day for three weeks, then take a week off, assuming that the side effects are not too bad. Unfortunately, he has been having some back pain that the doctor thinks is referred from his liver or pancreas. He’s taking some pretty strong pain meds for it. The good news is that he thinks he may be able to pick up the wood he needs to build a chest for his son and daughter-in-law on Friday.