Earthquake, Tsunami, Radiation and Cancer

It's been sometime since the last post. There were quite a few things happened during the time which shocked the world while I was in my new drug trial period.

In a nutshell, my condition is stable with a little improvement everyday (or at least I tried). The pain is under good management now, which is very important. The side effects are there but well tolerated. Eating is still an issue but thanks to Esther and my family, it has improved and I started to gain weight though slowly. Energy level is good and I have been reading more and stay awake more during the day. Although mobility is not in full scale, I am working on more out-of-the-house actitivites, e.g. Dim Sum lunch, etc. It's always nice to walk with your own two feet on the ground and run into people that you know in the street. You may want to know how is Mr Cancer doing with me lately. Consider that I am only about three weeks on the trial, it's too early to say one way or another. Or I would say, "it's more important to enjoy today, to enjoy NOW!" whatever the future holds, worrying today is a waste of time. I am sure by now, you know me well enough and you would agree with me without a blink in your eyes.

11th March is now a date for remembrance. At one point, I cannot even watch the TV to see the tsunami running through the houses and imagine those >20,000 people died or reported missing. That moment must be very hard for them to bear. Yesterday, there was a report about orphans of the event. The kids were playing among themselves, laughing and smiling innocently, while their parents are missing. A few of them may be lucky and join with their parents later when all things are settled. Most of them would need to survive on their own, in the rest of their life.

May God take good care of you, to fill you with courage and love! We are all attached to one another, and you shall never feel alone.

New Trial.... New Hope!?

The latest CT scan shows Mr Cancer has come back strongly and played very aggressively. He has taken my liver and spleen. He also filled most of my spines and pelvic bones, and caused me a number of new pain sites. Thanks to the professionals, we finally have the pain, more or less, under control and thus my quality of life at least can improve.

The world class oncologist at BCCA discussed the case in detail with me. We decided to stop the previous chemo treatment and immediately switched to a New Drug Trial. It's a newer generation of Erlotinib (Tarceva), which I have taken last year and responded well. The drug's name is Crizotinib, by Pfizer, coded PF804, or PF299. It's under the same group of the EGFR. Failing this drug, my oncologist is so motivating and encouraging to start telling me now that there will be another drug, by Boehringer Ingelheim (Afatinib). Clearly, it's one hope after next, and then next? Great it's a world filled with hope, isn't it?

In a nutshell, and not be confused with my today's situation: None of the established treatments work in my case and Mr Cancer has been back sometime and strongly. Though, I am now offered a new drug trial which apparently and possibly can do me some good (scientifically on paper). And like they say, keep your fingers crossed. Or I would prefer, keep your prayers for me! Thank you.