And Then it Started Snowing in Houston....

I got great news yesterday. tami did a bit of shrinking since our last measurement. It appears she's reduced approximately 10.3% in size. This equals a little over a 2cm reduction in overall size. There is still not a "magic" number out there for a size we need to get to because much of it depends on the reduction of size and how it pulls the tumor away from the portal vein. The plan for now is to continue on the current study with the chemo provided every 21 days.

I travelled to Houston with Rana and met Julie and Greta there. These wacky gals hung out with me for the CT scans on Tuesday and Rana, Greta, Dad and Bev were there for the clinical appointment with Dr. F on Wednesday. It was a very long day, and then it started snowing flurries in Houston. Crazy. More to come....

smack,
jan

Oh the Suspense....

Yes. The suspense is making me crazy. I head to Houston this week for relief from the suspense of whether or not this study is shrinking tami the tumor. It would be awesome if the Dr said, "tumor? what tumor Ms. Kiker?" I don't think that's going to happen, but I'm hopeful there is shrinkage.

I'm packing my robe and slippers......just in case. Stay tuned.

smack,
jan

Time Flies

Sheesh, it's been a month since I've posted. I'm doing fine. I'm on my third 21-day cycle of the Rad001/Avastin study. I've had two doses of Avastin. I don't feel quite as flaky and forgetful as I did on the Xeloda/Temodar, but I am having some of the same angina problems. Kick-ass, sucker-punch angina. Fortunately, I'm being monitored closely by the oncologist and cardiologist. I've had an EKG and a PET scan of the blood flow in and around my heart. All tests were normal and didn't require further action. I have a handy nitro spray that I carry with me everywhere, which helps to keep the angina under control. It's sometimes very effective when I pull it out in meetings. It sends a strong message... 

My last visit to MD Anderson was interesting. Always good to see the tumor removal team. I performed my duties as a study patient, had a shot of Sandostatin and received my second infusion of Avastin along with a new supply of Rad001 pills. To my delight, my brother Dave came with me to the infusion area where we watched a History Chanel show on Trucks, another on Horses, and of course, discussed the bodily functions a cancer patient experiences. Important to note here: I am not the only member of my family who discusses bodily functions. Not even close.

I have a couple of funny 24-hour urine test stories to write about, but I've decided to devote one whole blog to the lovely experience when the time is right. I'll take my next 24-hour urine test into MD Anderson around December 10. I know you'll be on pins and needles in anticipation of that one combined with tales of traveling the three hours to Houston while trying not to have to stop at a gas station to pee, which would mean bringing my big orange jug into the rest stop with me. Good times.

Yes, my next visit to MD Anderson is around December 10. I'll stay a bit longer for this next visit as I'll have a measurement to check the progress of the three cycles of the study. I'm hopeful the results are shrinkage and the quirky little aches and pains in my chest will be worth it.

Thanks for checking in and all the positive notes from the last blog.
smack, smack
jan

Ten Alternative Methods for Removing tami (On Jan's Planet)

One of the ways to live life with tami without going nuts is to visualize her departure. This is usually something that happens many times throughout the day. It's a constant way to make her (and her friends) feel unwelcome in the "condo" called Jan's liver.

The following removal methods are not restricted by time, space or reality:

1. The largest wave from hurricane Ike would sweep tami out-to-sea along with Dr. Ben's beach cabin.
2. I could remove my liver during pottery class and place it on the potters wheel. After centering on the wheel, I'd use my hook to scrape tami's fat ass off my liver. Of course, my liver would be replaced after I smooth any rough edges with my sponge. tami and team would be fired in the kiln and turned into an ash tray or a toothpick holder.
   
3. D'Lisa could shoot tami off my liver with her deer rifle. Yes, this is tricky but, she could do this without ever harming me. After retrieving the tumor, she and Mark would have tami stuffed and mounted for the deer camp. tami would stay there for eternity collecting dust, cigarette butts, beer caps, etc. (Please note, before and during the time of removal there would be no drinking by the shooter.)
4. Dennis Quaid would travel to the tumor site in that tiny spaceship he used in Innerspace (1987). Cory, Sam and Luke would go along with him as backup support with the swords and Ben 10 watches they use on everything else that moves. Once inside, they could successfully use all tools necessary to remove and obliterate all tumors. When finished, they'd come back home to a Happy Meal, complete with chocolate shake and toy suprise as a reward for the hard work.
5. A new televisions series on JBO (Jan's Box Office) with a hot tampire named Bill as the main character. However, this tampire doesn't feed on blood as vampires do, but on tumors. I play the sassy, southern waitress (tampire banger) Bill seduces and feeds off of. After months of crazy tampire antics, tami and her friends are removed and... I'll work this one out offline.
6. I'd beat the shit out of tami in a Phase Ten tournament. The winner (me) would leave the table with a clean, tumor-free liver and a clever tee-shirt.
7. Elise and Susan decide to try removing tami with shuffleboard weights after a night of karaoke and drinking at Lovett's in Port Aransas. tami and I are situated at the other end of the table and the removal process begins. Both ladies consider themselves to be experts at shuffleboard and karaoke after a few drinks. It could work.
8. Fred Flinstone and Barney Rubble would use those big clubs on tami and smash her to a pulp. Then Fred would effortlessly peel her away and sling her into a new century. Preferrably not this one.
9. The alien spaceship that will be coming down to collect Dubya will also pick up their missing tumors, including tami and friends, before returning to the Mother Planet forever. Their planet will give them all the love and compassion they need so they no longer have to try to find it here.
10. No explanation needed.

Seriously, all is well. I've had a sinus infection this week, but should feel better any day now. I'm excited and very ready to head back to Houston for my first dose of Avastin next week. I'll take this drug by infusion rather than in pill form like the Rad001. I feel really good about this protocol and I'm putting all my positive energy into helping it work. Thanks for your prayers, kind wishes and for checking in.

punches, jan

PS. Remember to vote.

The Silver Bullet

I thought I'd use an actual photo of a silver bullet rather than the Coors Lite Silver Bullet, but the ones I found looked too phallic and weird. So you get the idea. And trust when I say it pains me to use the word "phallic" in a blog.

I started the study last Wednesday. http://utm-ext01a.mdacc.tmc.edu/dept/prot/clinicaltrialswp.nsf/Index/2006-0954 Let's call it the Tumor Eviction Project. (Or something else clever if I can think of it.) The first drug is Rad001 (Everolimus). I take this drug (in pill form) daily. Later in the month I'll add a drug called Avastin (intravenous). During my visit to MD Anderson, I was scheduled for a CT scan sans barium. CT scan with a twist. The twist was to drink a huge amount of water, as much as I could stand. I was given an IV for iodine and whisked away to the scan tube. The researcher studying tami explained that she'd be observing the blood flow in the tumor in addition to making scans. She also explained how I needed to breathe and that I'd feel a little sting at the site of the IV when the iodine was released. What she meant to say was, “Unlike the other CT scans you've had Miss Kiker, when the iodine is released, your arm is going to feel like it is going to explode. Just ignore it. Perfectly fine.” And I did.

After the scans and blood tests, I met with RN (Research Nurse) Melissa. She's very cool and got me started on the study. She also gave me a home test to turn back in when I visit on October 29. It's like college except the home test is a 24-hour urine test. So maybe not so much like college. If you see me walking (which you will not) around with a large orange jug, don't stop me and don't ask.

I also met with Dr. F. to discuss the scan results from the previous visit and then we were on our way back to Austin. I check in regularly with Melissa and keep a journal of information to turn in every 21 days. I'll keep you posted if anything exciting happens.

punch, jan

Plan B

No shrinkage. I traveled to appointments at MD Anderson last week to measure tami again. There has been no additional shrinkage. Now we're moving to plan B. Plan B is the original plan A we were going to try back in April, but I had to be on the Sandostatin shot for at least two months before I was eligible. Plan B is the Exploratory Study of Avastin and RAD001 in Advanced or Low or Intermediate grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma. Protocal 2006-0954. For inquiring minds who want to read further: http://utm-ext01a.mdacc.tmc.edu/dept/prot/clinicaltrialswp.nsf/Index/2006-0954. Since we had a couple of months before I could join the trial back in April, we decided to give the combination of Xeloda and Temodar a try. It was a noble effort with good results at first, but we are no longer getting the results I need. Time to move on. I won't be sorry to see the Xeloda go, but I do wish it would have worked.

If I'm a qualified candidate, I'll start as soon as next week on the pre-testing for this trial. I am looking forward to being in an actual study. I'll need to spend a little more time in H-town and more frequently, but it'll be worth it.

On another note, I've added a new Doc to my arsenal. Dr. L. is a Nutritional Oncologist here in Austin. He's great and he's helped me understand some dietary benefits of eating a certain way, discontinuing some of my current diet practices and trying new supplements. Sure, I'm a little crabby about not having tomatoes or pineapple, but big picture, I can do without. Oddly enough, I could give a rats arse about not having chocolate. Who would've thought?

I'll keep you posted so keep checking the blog or my facebook page for updates. I feel great, especially since I haven't been on chemo since August. Thanks for the support and prayers.

smack, smack
jan

PS. I posted the photo of my lovely yellow drink (in the previous blog) while I was in Houston. It was my prep for a CT scan. Contrary to some of the comments received after posting, it's not actually urine. Dr. F. does not make me drink urine as a treatment for this cancer. He's not like that. I believe it is barium or Gastroview. Apple juice is mixed with it to make it taste less like ear wax. Yes, ear wax. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Everyone knows what ear wax tastes like.

And again....

“you'll just need to drink this last one mizzzz
Kiker then we should be ready for your scan”......