Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Yet another treatment

It turns out that Dacarbazine, the chemotherapy that Aimee was on, had no effect. She was supposed to go in today and get one more dose, but her MRI and CT scans showed increased growth. (But the tumors, luckily, are still restricted to the lymph nodes-- no other organs are affected.) So Dr. Atkins said we should stop the Dacarbazine now and try something else.

He suggested that Aimee try another Chemotherapy (Taxol) next week. Taxol has a history of positive responses from other types of cancer, and it has recently shown some promise in slowing the growth of melanoma. Aimee will go in once a week for the next 3 weeks. Meanwhile, Dr. Atkins will be looking into the possibility of going to NCI in Maryland, where Dr. Rosenberg is working on special T-cell therapy.

11 comments:

Christl said...

Dearest Ones,
We are so thankful that no organs have been affected. We hope that this new therapy will work on Aimee and eradicate the cancer. We know that you all have been silent about the worst effects of the disease, but all of us who watch your blog know that you have been suffering very much. We want you to know that we pray for you always, that we would take upon us the suffering you are undergoing if we could, that we raise you up every day to the Lord to ask for surcease and healing, that we think you are the truest heroes we have ever encountered, and that we love you beyond measure.

We hope that new measures will work and bring you healing and health.

All our love, prayers, and hopes,
Bainard and Chris

Petrus said...

Lots of love and lots of prayers - as always.

RKR said...

Big hugs from Belgium you guys. I'm praying for that T-cell therapy, and meanwhile that the next doses of chemo are as trouble free as possible.
Love,
Renee

Anonymous said...

Dear Aimee and Will,
We are very hopeful about the Taxol and T-cell therapy. We also hope you can also find more peace this summer and that the nausea subsides for long periods at a time. As Bainard and Chris wrote, you are indeed the truest heroes in every sense.
All our love,
Hilary & Kevin

meg and greg said...

LOTS OF HUGS AND PRAYERS,

Anonymous said...

figures you would get cancer with chutzpah! (I thought you would like the word of my people) Anyway, if it is a battle of chutzpah my money is on you. PLEASE PLEASE tell us if we can do anything at all while you are busy lulling this monster into submission.

-Dot

Annie said...

Dear dearest ones! I don't know what to say except that you remain in our prayers daily, in our Novena and in our hearts. I echo the words of your parents and agree that you are indeed heroes...both of you. I know that your courage, strength and faith drown out the voices of the enemy and strengthen the hearts of the saints and angels in heaven! We love you all and we will be hounding heaven on your behalf.
Annie, Adam and the boys

Anonymous said...

We love you, Aimee and Will, and you are constantly in our thoughts and prayers!
With hugs and kisses, and lots of prayers~
Claire, Victor, Anthony, Nina, & Dante

Anonymous said...

Know that we are standing by you as you move ahead - much, much love and redoubled prayers from Seattle!

With love,
Katy

w. wilson said...

We're ready with treats at your command.

Whit and Co.

Hana said...

The Lord is interesting in the way he reveals himself. When I was an undergraduate at Montana Tech, I worked on and studied under the yew tree additional Taxol source discovery with both Dr. Stierle's as part of my geochem requirement.

http://www.mtech.edu/research/highlights/1997_research/RightTree.htm

I prayed that my research would bless people. We will continue to pray that you are one of those people he blesses.

Love,
Hana Ciembronowicz