Solo2 Clinical Trial

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is a busy place.  I had to wait an hour to get my bloodwork done and then found out I was in the wrong place.  I have a port-a-cath and should have gone to Ambulatory Care for blood work.  Next time.

My appointment was for 10:30 but did not see doctor until 12:30 pm.  They are quite busy seeing the multitudes.  We left Princess Margaret at 2:30 pm.  We were there a full 5 and 1/2 hours.  I hope you never have to see an oncologist or the inside of a cancer centre.  Chances are you will because as people live longer their cells go haywire and cancer develops.

This was considered a first meeting and after discussing my medical situation the doctor seemed to think that I may be a suitable candidate for the Solo2 clinical trial.  This was not before he had to leave several times to confer with various researchers.  Seems most of my ducks are getting in order:  recurrent ovarian cancer, favourable response to a platinum drug (Cisplatin), BRCA2 carrier (they need to still see my genetic report from 2011), and CT Scans show some visible evidence of disease (they will have to verify this more).

They also decided I should finish up with my chemo treatments.  Usually a course of chemo is 6 infusions.  I have 2 more to go.  The study requires patients to begin the trial within 8 weeks of chemo ending.  Therefore, my last chemo should be the week of September 22nd and if accepted into trial I would begin no later than week of November 17th.  That is according to my calculations.

The drug they are testing is Olaparib.  As I stated in a previous post it is a drug that inhibits a cancer cell from repairing itself.  It is considered a maintenance drug which keeps the cancer from growing so that it lengthens the period of 'remission'.  That is what we are always trying to achieve although technically I have not been in remission since 2011.

Solo2 is a phase III trial and they are recruiting 264 people all over the world.  Because the researchers have not yet decided whether I qualify they wanted me to get registered in case the study closes between now and November.  If the study closes then I can still participate.  Of course they still have to definitively accept me into the study and I have to consent.  I was given a 23 page Study Information and Consent Form to read.  It is quite extensive in introducing the study, its purpose, a thorough explanation regarding its experimental status, charts explaining how often I need to visit hospital for tests and follow ups, all the potential side effects, my responsibilities as a participant, confidentiality, risks, etc.  I can drop out of study at any time.

On the one hand I hope to be accepted into this trial.  It is cutting edge science and could help me to attain some degree of remission.  Cost is picked up by drug company (AstraZeneca).  This study, if successful, could provide oncologists with another tool for maintenance treatment in future ovarian cancer cases.  On the other hand it is experimental.  Long term side effects are unknown.  Side effects while on drug could be unpleasant but maybe not.  At least with chemo my experience is a week of unpleasantness and a couple of weeks of normalcy of sorts.  And I could end up in the placebo group and get no benefit at all.  I still have several questions I want to ask of my assigned trial nurse and I have some time to fully consider this trial.

We Have Remission

Sorry for the long absence.....  This post has been in draft since November 2012.  I have not been able to put together the words to relay what my life is all about until now.

After my 6th chemo treatment on September 26th I went for a CT Scan on October 12th to determine if there was any visible cancer left.  This would determine whether I would need another chemo treatment at this time.  I returned to the hospital on October 16th to consult with my oncologist.  This meeting set off a major turning point to my life.

The oncologist, Dr. Califaretti, delivered the news that the CT Scan did not show any visible cancer which is great.  This is technically a remission.  So the series of treatments from June to September did the job they were supposed to do.  All good.  I forgot to mention that during my last treatment on September 26th and in receipt of the last chemo drug, Carboplatin, I had an allergic reaction.  After receiving it 11 times in the last couple of years my body decided it did not want it.  After easing off the dosage and giving me some drugs to help me along I finally finished treatment that day.  Can you imagine that my doctor reminded me that I had experienced this?  I had totally forgotten between September 26th and October 16th.  The mind does some crazy things in times of anxiety.

Back to our discussion on October 16th.  During our discussion my doctor, in a no-nonsense way, strongly suggested that I not return to work.  This startled me as I was fully expecting to go back.  But life has a way of reminding you of your immortality.......

This cancer is unrelenting and she fully expects it will come back within the next 15 months or so.  This is because my last recurrence came within this timeframe.  Medically speaking recurrence does not generally extend itself beyond this.  Is she correct?  Only time will tell.

So my decision not to return to work was a difficult one.  On the one hand I like working and it provides satisfaction in getting things done and having clients who are happy with my work. There is also the social aspect of the workplace which I always value.  But on the other hand work can be stressful and demanding.  Client commitments, sales targets, professional development and other business demands can be challenging.  The demands on your personal time is a given and I have always been of the opinion, required, if promotion and success is your ambition.  Alas these things are not quite as important to me any more......

So now I am a lady of leisure.  I have all the time in the world to do what I want!  Well my days are full and I wonder now how I fit a career in there.....  Strange.  I spend most of my time with the family naturally.

Here is a picture from last October when Hurricane Sandy hit the New York area.  This is right in front of my sister's apartment.  A huge tree just toppled over and luckily landed on the side walk and not the house.  Even though her home is inland Hurricane Sandy did much damage to the neighbourhood.  The area closer to the shore was very badly damaged and the clean up continues still.  The area of New York City near the shoreline in pictures.

Let's hope these lives can be put back together.