Approved for Clinical Trial

I am very excited that I have been accepted for a clinical trial at the Georgetown cancer center.  The investigational drug is Avelumab.  According to the study report, Avelumab is thought to maybe have an effect on the immune system (especially the white blood cells) in order to cause the immune system to attack the cancer tumors.  The study is to determine whether the drug is effective in gastric cancers.  On February 16, I went in for initial testing to determine my eligibility.  They took 10 or so vials of blood and conducted a CT-scan.  It was an extremely long, exhausting day, but it was well worth it.  I began the treatment at Georgetown Medstar Hospital on February 29.   It was a long day.  I started with blood tests and an EKG, then met with the oncologist, followed by an infusion, and finally had another EKG.  Overall, it took about 7 hours.  The staff at the hospital was great.  They were well organized and very kind.

 I am really thrilled to be in this clinical trial as I have exhausted all of the other treatments for my cancer.  Also, I really have not felt well this past couple of months as the cancer has spread.  The fluid has expanded in my abdomen and around my lungs.  This has caused me to cough a lot more and to be short of breath.  I have been extremely tired.  I could sleep all day, but I don’t let myself do that because I feel that it would make me very discouraged.  My body aches and the nausea continues.  This has made exercising far more difficult.  I still try to walk three miles at least 4 times a week if possible, but I find it difficult to run because of my lungs.  Again, I just hope to get some relief with this with new treatment.

Even though I am very excited for the clinical trial at Georgetown, I am saddened not to continue to receive treatments at the Virginia Cancer Specialists’ office.  The doctors, nurses and others have been very kind to me as I received my treatments there, including the many infusions.

One thing that lifted my spirits this past week was the visit from four of my sisters, and a brother–in-law.  One sister was not able to come.   While visiting me, my sisters took great care of me.  I had hoped to go shopping because that is something we enjoy doing together.  However, as I was not feeling well, we shopped a little bit, but spent most of the time at home.  We visited, laughed and cried a lot.   We also watched a few movies together.  I feel so blessed to have such wonderful sisters.  A highlight was receiving massages from them on my back, hands, head and feet.  In fact one time, they were working on all of these areas simultaneously.  It felt so wonderful as they used their hands to serve me.  I was reminded that we help our Heavenly Father when we use our hands to serve others.  I have felt many peoples’ love as they have served me with their hands.

My sisters’ service was like angels.  I really like the following quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.  He said that God never leaves us alone:

“I testify of angels, both the heavenly and mortal kind.  In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face… Always there are those angels who come and go around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.”

In my life, I have felt such angels, both mortal and immortal.  These experiences have increased during the past six months.  I am grateful to have had these angels help and comfort me.