PATIENCE GRASSHOPPER

October 28, 2019

I did see Dr. Camidge; aka Super Ninja Most Wonderful Oncologist’s mentor, Director of the Thoracic Oncology Clinical and Clinical Research Programs at CU and lung cancer oncologist extraordinaire, on October 8th at 3:30 p.m. He was just as we remembered from my second opinion appointment, especially his sense of humor. “Love what you’ve done with your hair,” he deadpanned followed by a quick smile as he walked into the room. We discussed three Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) clinical trials taking place at UC Cancer Center that I might be eligible for and I signed the paperwork as Jim and I met gazes from across the room.  Any of these three trials sound promising but to see if I qualify, I first need another biopsy to determine if a certain protein (different one for each trial) can be found on the surface of the cancer cells which have formed about a one inch egg shaped nodule on the left side of my abdomen.  Each of the three trial sponsors gets a sample of tissue along with another sample for Dr. Doebele to retry a live cell line. If there is any left, we store it in the bio bank.  I might have all three proteins in which case we choose the best trial for me or I might have none. In that case, most likely back to chemotherapy and wait for another promising trial to open.

“So, when can we schedule the biopsy and get this show on the road?”  I ask with wide-eyed optimism.

Exit doctors and enter clinical trial coordinators.

Patience Grasshopper.

Three weeks have crawled by with a wedding and birthdays to celebrate, a successful fundraiser for SURVIVEiT, and a CT scan last week because of some pretty intense chest and back pain. The good news is the radiologist, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist ruled out pulmonary embolism, pleural effusion and disease progression in the lungs, chest, or upper abdomen. What we think is causing this jaw clenching radiating pain is most likely chest wall nerve damage related to the SBRT I had in January. I’ve had to resort to the occasional pain meds which is new for me but this is a marathon, not a sprint and I’ve been pretty damn lucky so far.

Thursday, October 31, is Halloween and also the day my biopsy is scheduled for. Test results will take another 10-14 days. I’m taking suggestions for a costume to show up in and I will consider all except the grim reaper.  Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, complete with ginormous pink dress and bubble to float out in is a viable option, especially considering the drugs they will be giving me. 

Yep, I think pink dress, bubble and good witchery is definitely the best option.