The drug was cutting edge. A new way to stop the cancer from spreading by way of using genetics and targeted therapy.
The tumor was biopsied, the lab confirmed it was a match for this drug and there was hope in the room. The kind of hope that we’ve all felt when a plan comes together and the image of cancer cells choking to death by the thousands comes to mind. Months passed and the cancer had vanished. Remission is a wonderful word. N-E-D is even better and that’s what this story was all about, until it wasn’t.
A new scan and now evidence that the bad cells are back. Some how, some way, the cancer found its way around this super drug and found the soil it needed to grow again.
So it’s back to the biopsies and the hope that there will be another super drug in the wings ready to tackle this smarter cancer.
The endless chess game of cancer vs. the researchers working day and night to stay ahead of the intruder.
Game On.
December 11, 2013 @ 12:13 pm
Whew, there’s a lot in that little post. I hope and pray those researchers stay ahead of the game. Far, far, ahead, for everyone impacted. ~Catherine
December 11, 2013 @ 9:24 am
I am always happy when I read about some progress being made in the fight. However, I always reserve final judgment until some time has passed. As we know, cancer is insidious. It appears to have been eliminated only to re-appear later and most often has spread. The celebrations of “all clear”. “NED” and others that convey a “victory” are still worth it. It does show that it is possible to make it disappear even if for a brief time. That does give us HOPE. Then comes the depressing news. I know those feelings well. I had 5 recurrences of melanoma even though the surgeries and SNB’s said I was “all clear”. It persisted but so did I and my doctors. They admitted that they didn’t know why it continued to return when all of the indicators pointed to NED after each surgery and SNBs.
The cancer battle is far from being won but steps are being taken with new and innovative treatments to get closer to victory. Meanwhile, celebrate the small “wins” and be diligent in your checkups and scans ’cause “the beast” doesn’t quit.