Late last year when we took a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona research doctors at Tgen (Translational Genomics Research Institute) took a sample of bone marrow from Garrett’s hip bone and looked at the cells for genetic markers which can indicate which chemo drugs might work best against Garrett’s cancer. Tgen has matched some genetic mutations to some chemo drugs giving cancer patients a better chance at getting the right drug the first time instead of just looking at treatment success from other people with the same type of cancer. This is especially helpful information for Garrett’s oncology team because his neuroendocrine carcinoma diagnosis is vague and no other case is exactly like Garrett’s. In reality, all cancer patients are unique and the same type of cancer can respond to the same drugs differently in each person's body. The ability to look at each person as an individual and customize treatment is a great step forward in cancer treatments that are shorter, easier and more effective.
Adriamycin, the chemotherapy Garrett currently gets, was one of the drugs identified by Tgen and has been helpful in decreasing cancer in his bone marrow thus escalating his body’s ability to make healthy blood cells. But it is a tough drug that is hard on the heart, so limits are set for the total amount of adria that is safe to take. After three more doses of adria (up to #14) Garrett will have had the cumulative dose our doctor feels is safe for his heart. Because Garrett still has probably some living cancer cells in his body we will need to start a new chemo drug at the conclusion of this one to keep suppressing new growth. We do not know yet what that next chemo drug will be. Our oncologist will be returning to the report made by Tgen to look at other drugs matching Garrett’s genetic markers and then recommend to us which one to try next. Having the report is also a good argument for petitioning insurance coverage for drugs not normally used for his type of cancer. As soon as we know more about the next drug up, we will share the info!
One week of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is now complete with no significant changes in the way Garrett feels or how his skin tumor is healing (we expect to see/feel changes after 2-3 weeks of treatment, with total sessions up to 4-8 weeks). Other than boring Garrett to tears for two hours, it’s not a terrible drive to Tacoma on days other than Friday. We just purchased a beautiful 15 year old conversion van in good shape with a sofa-bed, comfy captains chairs, tv and dvd player and a few other handy amenities for road trips! Our regular cars aren’t very kind to Garrett’s spine so the commute is made much less painful with this acquisition and it gives me a great spot to hang out in while he is in the treatment tube! We were very lucky to find this van in time to drive it to these every afternoon appointments and we’re looking forward to taking it on a few fun trips this summer too.
Here is my co-pilot waiting for Garrett to get out of the hyperbaric tube!
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