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.
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.