I had a CT scan on October 11th at Jefferson XRay in Glastonbury.  A CD of the scans was overnighted to Dr. Farago the next day.  Jefferson XRay told me it would be sent the day of the scan.  As usual, they messed up.  I couldn’t get the copy of the CD and mail it myself because they weren’t able to do it in Glastonbury!  They got a new updated system and have less capabilities.  Great way to run an organization!!!!!

Anyway, the scans showed growth in my lungs and actually a new growth there.  Some minor growth in the left and right lobes of liver.  The main tumor in liver is basically dead!!!  So because of the growth, I’m off the LOXO-101 trial.  That was a quick 2 months.

It’s been just about a week since I went off the drug and no more dizziness, my weight is coming down and the swelling in my ankle is just about gone.  So, those were definitely side effects of the drug.  My voice also seems to be getting better.

Ray and I met with Dr. Goyal and Dr. Zhu this week on Tuesday, October 18th.  Our heads were spinning!  They have offered me the choice of three different immunotherapy drugs.  One is Keytruda, the drug Jimmy Carter took for his brain cancer.  Since this is an approved FDA drug for other cancers, I would have to take it ‘off label’.  MGH is applying to Merck for this.  Hopefully I’ll get approval and Merck will pay for the drug.  I think it’s something like $15,000 per infusion!!!  Another choice is a trial where you take one drug and at some point take another that is an immunotherapy drug.  This trial is for patients with advanced solid tumors.  And, the third choice is one that Dr. Zhu is waiting approval on to run the trial and it’s an immunotherapy drug from China.

We will meet with Dr. Goyal again in two weeks.  If all the information is not in yet, it’ll be three weeks.  We figure once approved for Keytruda we can do that at anytime.  We are deciding between the other two trials for the next step.

The good news is that I’m feeling good.  Just getting over a cold that we all had – Ray, Jay, Heather, Julie and me.  Clemmy has it now.

Deke and Kelly’s wedding was one of the best weddings we’ve been to.  We had a wonderful time.  The food was absolutely delicious, the music was great and the fireworks were just an added bonus to an awesome evening.  It was great sharing the fun with Jay, Heather and Julie.  We missed Kenny not being there.  And, of course, spending time with Mom George and the rest of the New Hampshire relatives.  We stayed in a very nice inn that included a breakfast each morning.  Ray got to golf on an awesome golf course too!

My sister-in-law Janet ran a 5K for cancer in New Hampshire in my honor.  That was so sweet of her!

On Columbus Day Jason, Julie, Clemmy and I went to Wickham Park. We had a great time walking around all the wonderful gardens there.  It is a beautiful park and we’re lucky to have it in town.

Looking forward to the Farrell Family Reunion this coming Sunday.

Clemmy is on the move!!!  She’s been crawling for a few months now and has been standing up and holding on to get from one place to another.  Has stood alone without holding on also.  She’s such a joy!  Can’t explain the happiness she has bought to our lives.  Of course, I’ll add a few pictures of her and some pictures of us from the wedding.

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support.  I couldn’t do this without all of you!  You are my strength.

Of course I couldn’t do any of this without my hero, Ray.  There are no words to describe how wonderful he has been.  He just takes care of everything!  I do what I can when I’m feeling good, but he knows when I’m not and just digs in.  Thank you God for bringing this wonderful, caring, loving man into my life so many years ago.  None of us know what our future will hold and definitely no one expects to get cancer and a devastating diagnosis like I did.  I’m happy to say, it’s been just about 2 and a half years since my diagnosis and being told I had less than a year to live.  I love proving that first doctor wrong!!!!  Along with my family, all of you and my outstanding team of doctors and nurses at MGH,  we’ll beat this.  I’d be happy with a pill that stops any further growth that gives me a great quality of life for many years to come.

Ray and I at the UConn versus Syracuse game.

Julie having fun with Clemmy.

Jay and Clemmy with her Patriots dress on! Go Patriots!

Julie and Clemmy at Wickham Park

At Deke & Kelly’s Wedding

Ray, me, Jay, Heather, Julie and Ray’s sisters Donna and Janet