A Leap of Faith in Cancer Research

Two weeks ago a study was release in the Journal Nature.  Using the DNA of over 800 women with Breast Cancer, researchers have determined 4 major types of the disease based on the genetic code of  the tumors. This will hopefully lead to a more targeted therapy for treatment based on differences in tumor genetics. Drugs can be better tailored to fight the disease. Some targeted therapies exist now for example: women with the HER-2 enriched  type receive  the drug Herceptin.

Now let me step back a moment; When you are first diagnosed with a later stage of the disease, doctors suggest treatment to you. “This is how we are going to treat you” You can say no.  No one is holding a gun to your head. On the flip side there is this other big bad monster holding a gun to you from the inside. Most choose treatment.  We choose the scary world of sickening side effects and sometimes, damage left behind by the treatments received (example:Herceptin).

This new study is a giant leap forward in determining better drugs. There is no magic drug at this time, drugs still need to be developed, multiple drugs.  In order to use the drugs on a large scale, patients will be asked to TRY them.  Clinical Trials.  In a clinical trial, the patient agrees to test an experimental drug: a drug that may or may not work.  Often the trial location is many miles from the patient’s home.  This involves a huge expense on the patient’s part, an expense that the patient must absorb. 

 It is a giant leap of faith: faith  in the researchers, the drug and the patient’s own ability to endure all aspects of the treatment. 

If the drug works, than this patient has not only succeeded in stabilizing their disease but the possibility for other patients with the same disease protocol is outstanding!   Researchers and Doctors can now develop new treatment protocol for patients with the same disease and hopefully have the same results.

Help patients take that Giant Leap of faith.  Donate to the cure.  Remember your donation to support Breast Cancer Research not only supports Breast Cancer but other types of cancer research.

http://americancancerfund.org/how-to-help

http://www.relayforlife.org/index

http://ww5.komen.org/

peace.

NEPB

Indifference

Sometime this past this past month, I past the 5 year anniversary of my diagnosis of Breast Cancer:  Honestly I don’t remember the exact date, although I have thought much about the past years. I experienced a range of emotions: relief, success, gratitude, paranoia and a lot of indifference.  That last one may seem a little strange to some.  I've talked to some of my friends, friends  like myself who were diagnosed  in the later stages of the disease but continue to live and they also feel this indifference.  

Indifference is probably the most difficult for many to understand. It grew just as that first diseased cell grew, quickly. It grew because of experiences, words spoken, friendships made, friendships broken, lives entwined.

I personally have hardened myself (and become indifferent) by comments made by people who over the years, thinking they know the disease.  They think by watching those tissue grabbing commercials, they have become medical experts.  They have from the beginning and to this day continue to diagnose and predict outcomes because of what they saw on television, read on the internet, or heard from a friend.   My disease is an individual as my fingerprint and therefore so is my prognosis.   If you haven’t read my medical chart you can’t possible know what my future holds.  Hold your tongue and be happy that I am here in this moment.  I am.

In the past 5 years, I have come to accept many things I may or may not see in my life time.  Much of this acceptance has come from those friends I have lost to the disease. Gratefully they have taught me many lessons, lessons that I cannot possibly make clear to you.   We sat for hours together in the Chemo Lounge, some with me for entire 2 years I spent in treatment; discussing our hopes and dreams. They taught  me how to appreciate life’s little victories, one gift at a time.  We reached out to each other, strangers turned friends by Cancer. 

I talk regularly to friends and acquaintances, who have been diagnosed with all forms of the disease; we are all living with the disease.  We all stand firm in our dislike of the term survivor, call us:  Managers of the disease. Every 6 months I challenge my Oncologist to a duel of words: redefine the term “survivor”.  A friend of mine living with the disease, tells him she feels like she is being “Stalked” by Cancer, (we share the same Oncologist)   He is stumped to define it better.

This week I questioned I questioned my Oncologist, “Now what and I do I dare ask that?”  He leaned in, looked me right in the eye and said “Why of course you dare.  Dare to ask or do anything you want.  The risk will always be there. When you are 85 you can stop looking over your shoulder.”  I scoffed, I understood, I know my prognosis.

I realize how lucky I am to be here. I will continue day to day, keeping up with the children, working, writing the darn book, the articles, riding my bike, supporting my favorite coffee chain and fixing my Feng Shui.  I will still keep dreaming of watching my youngest graduate from College (she is 8), taking that trip to Italy and  getting lost in an ancient  vineyard with my Significant Other.      And dream,  I will dream.

You can help support the fight for a cure by donating to the American Cancer Society or Relay for Life.

https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/index?gclid=COPuhoC5yK8CFQTd4AodWkATbw

http://www.relayforlife.org/?gclid=CIjN8rO5yK8CFUGo4AodXy-xaQ