This week on Monday, I will be participating in a lung cancer survey- I do one or two of these a month because they are helpful and I also get paid ;-)
Then, on Tuesday I will go for treatment. I am participating in a clinical trial for immunotherapy here in town- some say it is a rising star treatment for those who have lung cancer- those like me.
When I was told the cancer had progressed in August of this year, I was asked to come to Indianapolis. First, I underwent a procedure to find out if I was eligible for any of the targeted therapies that are available now. It seems that the only one I was eligible for would not work with my scary heart condition.
These were my options.
1) Go through the same chemo I had gone through before- my oncologist said I would go into remission, after all it worked before- but the remission would not last as long.
2) I could try a different chemo- that was considered.
or
3) I could become involved in a clinical trial that is very promising.
I chose the last one and have had two treatments so far. The side effects are few compared to chemo.
I will have a CT Scan after the fourth treatment to see what is going on-
Recently I read an article by a person who had quit smoking - she was quite thrilled that she had quit for 30 days. I had to rain on her parade and remind her that ANYONE can get lung cancer. Quitting does not make it you free and clear from the threat of contracting lung cancer. My oncologist has told me the best thing I ever did for myself was quit smoking twenty years ago. Everyone has an opinion.
Here is mine. If you think you are exhibiting any of the signs of lung cancer find a doctor to get you a CT scan- early detection is key.
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