Convergence

Traffic in Lima, Peru, October 2018

Convergence

Traffic in Lima can be interesting. Here we see two busses that appear to be converging to squash the fellow carrying the produce. Everyone got through the traffic jam safely with no injuries or bent metal.

There appears to be a convergence of treatment regarding my cancer. So much is happening so quickly. 

Back in November I wrote about some changes in my Multiple Myeloma status. After another visit to Emory’s Winship Cancer Center last Tuesday, here is where I am headed—a clinical trial. Let me say at the start that I think this is good. It is NOT a last ditch effort to keep me around, but a course of treatment that seems to hold the most promise for me right now. There are multiple other treatment options, and those remain as a possibility for treatment later on, or if I don’t get accepted into the trial, or if the trial meds don’t work as expected. 

I have to go through the prescreening process, which is tomorrow, January 29. It involves blood work, x-rays, and some other fun things, but we assume that I qualify based on previous test results. Once that hurdle is cleared, we will set up a treatment schedule and get on with it.

The trial involves a medication already approved for the treatment of certain types of leukemia (CLL). The medication is called Venetoclax. About 15% of people with Multiple Myeloma (MM) have a particular genetic marker, and for those people, this medication seems to be very effective. That is what the trial is about. 

I will also receive a couple of other medications. Cancer patients are often recipients of a combination of medications that help fight the disease. Venetoclax is a chemotherapy medication. I will also receive an immunotherapy medication called Darzelex (daratumumab), as well as a steroid. 

Please pray all will go well tomorrow, including the travel to Emory and back, and that if this is God’s direction for me, that I will be accepted in the trial. While the medications are amazing, prayer is the main ingredient in my treatment. Always. 

I will post again when we know the results of the tests. 

Blessings,

Tom