Post by poetsunshine on Apr 2, 2010 9:51:38 GMT -6
Hi Everyone -
First, thank you for your prayers yesterday. We definitely felt them during the day & God answered many of them.
We arrived early & got checked in without issue. There was a mixup with where we were suppossed to be, but the dr was running very behind, so all in all it didn't matter.
The first team member we met was Iris, the medical assistant. WHAT a character! And what a blessing. She let us know she was a Christian, and that was very comforting. Next was Kathy, the RN. She was very kind & listened to all of Mom's/our concerns. Denise is a nurse practitioner & we met her next & went through Mom's medical history. She also talked to us about what a Phase I Clinical Trial is...and answered a lot of our questions during this time. Finally...we met Dr. LoRusso. She's very direct, but patient & passionate about what she does. She is THE guru in Phase I trials & that was comforting as well. AND...she has worked closely with Mom's oncologist & again, answers & re-assurance was given there.
Here is what we know:
*there are 70-80 clinical trials going on at Karmanos right now - the only place in MI these are being done, and only 1 in 15 in the nation.
*Mom is in good/great shape to be admitted into a trial & will be accepted into one of them
*The team meets on Tuesday to decide who is admitted into a trial & which one
*EVERYTHING is very time sensitive when talking Clinical Trial. So...they couldn't tell us when Mom will get started - but she needed to be off chemo for 4 weeks before beginning & she's right there now. So that is perfect.
*Tests, bloodwork & time requirements are all dependent on each trial - we will not know that until we know which trial she is in
*However...they will be scanning (CT) about every 4-6 weeks to check progress. If one trial isn't working they will pull her out & put her into another one. It won't be a long wait & see type thing
Overall, we all got a very postive feeling from the afternoon of meetings. God made sure we knew this was the door to walk through. Which was good...but also hard to hear that this is it for treatment options. We are very thankful He revealed His will for Mom, & her treatment, to us.
Re/the tumor-hernia....they will treat it & watch it as if it's a tumor. A biopsy will be done if the trial requires it. If it doesn't behave like a tumor, then we will address it at that time. Dr.LoRusso did say it's not uncommon that tumors form on the stoma site & have to be removed. Again, hard to hear...but reassurring that she knew about them & there was a plan.
The next week or so will be hard with waitng. Mom hasn't been sleeping well & due to her tummy issues, hasn't eaten great either. Because of that, she's lost a few pounds, which we know can't keep happening. She has got to be strong mentally & physically to take this next step of treatment. Please pray for her peace, sleep, eating & anything else the Lord lays on your heart concerning Mom.
Thank you again for your prayers, love & support -
Beth
First, thank you for your prayers yesterday. We definitely felt them during the day & God answered many of them.
We arrived early & got checked in without issue. There was a mixup with where we were suppossed to be, but the dr was running very behind, so all in all it didn't matter.
The first team member we met was Iris, the medical assistant. WHAT a character! And what a blessing. She let us know she was a Christian, and that was very comforting. Next was Kathy, the RN. She was very kind & listened to all of Mom's/our concerns. Denise is a nurse practitioner & we met her next & went through Mom's medical history. She also talked to us about what a Phase I Clinical Trial is...and answered a lot of our questions during this time. Finally...we met Dr. LoRusso. She's very direct, but patient & passionate about what she does. She is THE guru in Phase I trials & that was comforting as well. AND...she has worked closely with Mom's oncologist & again, answers & re-assurance was given there.
Here is what we know:
*there are 70-80 clinical trials going on at Karmanos right now - the only place in MI these are being done, and only 1 in 15 in the nation.
*Mom is in good/great shape to be admitted into a trial & will be accepted into one of them
*The team meets on Tuesday to decide who is admitted into a trial & which one
*EVERYTHING is very time sensitive when talking Clinical Trial. So...they couldn't tell us when Mom will get started - but she needed to be off chemo for 4 weeks before beginning & she's right there now. So that is perfect.
*Tests, bloodwork & time requirements are all dependent on each trial - we will not know that until we know which trial she is in
*However...they will be scanning (CT) about every 4-6 weeks to check progress. If one trial isn't working they will pull her out & put her into another one. It won't be a long wait & see type thing
Overall, we all got a very postive feeling from the afternoon of meetings. God made sure we knew this was the door to walk through. Which was good...but also hard to hear that this is it for treatment options. We are very thankful He revealed His will for Mom, & her treatment, to us.
Re/the tumor-hernia....they will treat it & watch it as if it's a tumor. A biopsy will be done if the trial requires it. If it doesn't behave like a tumor, then we will address it at that time. Dr.LoRusso did say it's not uncommon that tumors form on the stoma site & have to be removed. Again, hard to hear...but reassurring that she knew about them & there was a plan.
The next week or so will be hard with waitng. Mom hasn't been sleeping well & due to her tummy issues, hasn't eaten great either. Because of that, she's lost a few pounds, which we know can't keep happening. She has got to be strong mentally & physically to take this next step of treatment. Please pray for her peace, sleep, eating & anything else the Lord lays on your heart concerning Mom.
Thank you again for your prayers, love & support -
Beth
