Prayers for Scott and his family.
I thought I would pass along the latest from my good friend 'hiramknight' since you all have been so awesome with your replies.
From Scott;
The longer this thing drags out the clearer it gets as to how cloudy the future can be. As of now we still don't even know if these treatments are working. That's not a bad thing, it's just that it takes a while for results to be seen. Normally three weeks after the first chemo infusion. That means on week 5, I'll get the results back from the lab.
These folks are aiming for total remission, which according to my doctor will take time with me because of my advanced stage. If they see a decrease in my cancer markers, and my liver enzymes look better it means the treatment is working. That's more than Dana Farber said could happen.
Logic says, that if it's working, with no side effects, and the cancer is receeding toward total remission, treatment should continue until that goal is reached, and Blue Cross Blue Shield should pick up the tab. That brings us well past November 25 however. Logic would also say that if it works here, why not just continue it at home? You would have to ask the FDA that question as they have decided it is best to ban the very therapies which could very well save my life. The pharmecuetical industry lobby is extremely powerful and if these therapies were ever approved in the states those companies would lose a lot of money on lost chemotherapy revenue.
But, this is a null point because we don't even know if it's working. It's just something for us to think about. Any and all suggestions are welcome.