Cancer Warrior - The Caris Report
Got a copy of the Caris Report yesterday. I’ve mentioned previously that this is that place out in Arizona which will take a sample of your cancer tumor and help create the treatment which is most likely to kick its butt.
Interesting reading … if you understand gibberish. Or if you’re a doctor.
Summary (in part):
1. Best agents per the Target Now Assay:
A. SPAC Polyclonal 2+,90%; implies benefit for nab-paclitaxel.
B. TOPO1 2+,90%; implies benefit for irionotecan.
C. TLE3 2+,60% and PgP 0,100%; implies benefit for taxanes.
D. TS 1+,01%; implies benefit for fluoropyrimidies
etc., etc. That’s only part of it. Total Greek to me.
However, as long as Dr. D understands it, I’m okay with that. Further on in the report, they recommend several chemos that I know I’ve been on. But (and there’s always a ‘but’) the combination of cytoxan and 5FU (still love that name), which I was already on and determined to be ineffective, is recommended with the addition of another drug called epirubicin … which I hadn’t tried before. Apparently, just the cytoxan and the 5FU wasn’t working, but with the addition of the epirubicin …? Perhaps that would do the trick.
If, for any reason, the present regime that I’m on doesn’t work, its nice to know that I have other options. I found the information from Caris to be well worth the trouble of having the biopsy.
So, if you’re on the fence about having something like this done, I’d say go for it. I’m feeling really optimistic about all of this and we all know that attitude, Attitude, ATTITUDE is half the battle when fighting cancer.
And remember to repeat after me …“YOU ARE A CANCER WARRIOR”
June 17th, 2011 at 2:45 am
Liz, I love YOUR attitude. I think you’re totally right!
June 17th, 2011 at 6:59 am
I’ve seen so many people with the “why me?” and “how can I go on?” attitude and although I personally don’t know them, they worry me.
Every week I see new people and notice that some people aren’t there. Could be any number of reasons. They’ve finished treatment (which is cause for cheer), they switched to another day for treatment, gone to a different clinic … or they’re just not there. I never know and I certainly can’t ask.
I love to sit with the people who have a “can do” attitude. Katherine is one of those people and she leaves me with a smile every time I see her.
June 19th, 2011 at 4:56 am
Yay! I’m glad you have reason to feel optimistic. Fingers & toes crossed for you.
June 19th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Thanx, Kate. I’m to see Dr. D in two weeks (after I get back from NYC) and we should have a new series of markers by then.
June 19th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
I hope it works. I am going to see my doc this week and mention the Caris Group. I am having surgery on Thirs. Maybe he can get a sample then for this group.
June 20th, 2011 at 7:11 am
Good idea, Dee. My doc said that the results are a mixed bag … sometimes he gets good advice, sometimes not so good. Apparently I got lucky.
Good luck with the surgery. Will be thinking of you.
June 20th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Liz your attitude is so wonderful. I am always proud when I tell people (who ask that is) that you have been fighting cancer for over 15 years. I tell them that it is all about her attitude that has kept her here and still fighting for so long. I am very proud to have such a positive sister. Now thats it with all the mushy stuff.
June 21st, 2011 at 11:53 am
Okay. Done with the mushy stuff, Margie. But thanx. I really don’t know of any other way to deal with this shit. Do I wish things were different and this never happened, you betcha. But I figure if you’re gonna have to deal with something like this, you gotta do it with grace … and be a stubborn bitch.