When one door slams shut.... another door opens!

Well that didn't take long! In less than a week I have been fortunate enough to be offered another phase 1 cancer drug trial at Princess Margaret. We are shocked and amazed really. When I went down for my scheduled appointment earlier in the week, I was not expecting to hear any positive news. I had been preparing myself for my oncologist to say that they didn't have another trial to offer at this time and that they would keep a lookout for any upcoming trials and we would be on our own until then. I thought she would offer pain medication and discuss what palliative supports were available. I am not ready for these types of discussions as I look and feel quite healthy, at least on the outside anyway. I arrived at my appointment just in time and was having a bit of deja vu as this appointment was in the same waiting room that I had been in two months previously to discuss my first trial. Here we go again! I didn't have to wait long for my oncologist to enter the room and share some exciting news.  She arrived promptly in the room and after getting Michelle on the phone for the consultation, and with very little small talk, she immediately told us that there was another clinical trial option. We were stunned and shocked really. This is not what we had expected. All week long my hopes had been dwindling and here, the door was opening up again (maybe).  

Of course this will mean that I'll be entering into a few weeks of tests and procedures and likely another biopsy - but I will gladly get poked and prodded and take this on again, with the hope of a better outcome this time around. We are currently in the process of reading over the trial information and will be coming to an informed decision as to whether or not it is a good fit for me. I have found that when your options narrow considerably, your risk tolerance goes up considerably. It will take four weeks for me to flush out from the previous trial, but I am  two weeks into that already so I should be ready to go for the end of the month. This will bring forth another set of tests and round of procedures to go through to qualify and meet the requirements of the study. I am willing to go through all the hoops required in the hope that this new trial will make a difference. 

When one door slams shut, often another door opens. I have found over my lifetime that this statement holds true. Hope is something to hold onto, despite the evidence that might suggest otherwise. Last week my hopes were dwindling and I couldn't help but feel defeated. A week later there is new hope. Just having an option, gives me hope!  This helps to reinforce that there is always hope around the corner. A new day, a new beginning. Don't get me wrong, I do understand that this new trial could eventually end up having a similar result like my last trial, having no new real impact or lasting benefit for me, however we will continue to be hopeful that it will offer some benefit, even a small benefit. At the very least it is offering us new hope and is keeping us going. We shall see how this one goes.  

A new day, a new blessing, a new hope. ~ Author Unknown

Richard 

This week is National Nurses Week! I would like to give a special shout out to all the nurses out there who work tirelessly for their patients with skill, care and compassion. Thank you! I have nothing but admiration for the work you do. By the way, I love nurses so much that I married one!  Love you Michelle.

Run for Southlake- thanks to all that supported us in this four week virtual challenge. We surpassed our goal of $2000. and ended up with $3000. in donations. We are so thankful! We also achieved our goal of 40 km over the four weeks. Thanks everyone.

Here we go again!

Determination. Optimism. Hope. 

Here we go again! My initial visit to see if I was a good candidate for the new drug trial at Princess Margaret hospital was promising. The team at the hospital felt that I would be a good candidate for the study. Fantastic! Now I need to go for a series of tests and procedures to determine my eligibility and hopefully begin treatment in the next few weeks. The sooner the better for me.

In my previous posts, Needles, scans and tests oh my! & Hurry up and wait! I talked about the many tests, scans and procedures that I needed to undertake prior to my treatment beginning. Now it is like I am starting over from scratch again! On the positive side, I know now, from experience, what each of these tests are, how they make you feel, so I am more mentally prepared for them, then the first time. Also they are really a 'means to an end' to get started up again on treatment. Time is ticking! I don't want to wait much longer and give my cancer any more of an upper hand.

Travelling to and from the Princess Margaret Hospital and the Toronto General Hospital will require more travel time and patience for sure. I was so fortunate to have my previous treatments so close to home. I will however go wherever necessary to fight on. In these times of increased COVID precautions, Michelle is unable to come into the hospital with me for most of these tests and procedures. She will come as she can - park and wait is our new mantra!  Parking is expensive and hard to find in Toronto, not to mention free shorter term parking is practically non-existent.  Michelle rotates spots (to avoid getting a ticket LOL), timing it just so to pick me up when I am done.  This adds an extra layer of complexity for us, but we will manage through it.  We do miss Southlake!

This year, as a family we decided to pool our money together to purchase tickets for the Princess Margaret Hospital lottery. I have bought tickets in the past on my own but this year we bought a five ticket "family" pack. Hopefully we have one of the lucky tickets. It is great to support ongoing cancer research (especially at a hospital that is helping support my cancer journey) and who knows, we may even win one of the many great prizes available. Perhaps we will win the downtown furnished condo and it will solve all of our commuting issues and concerns. Wouldn't that be perfect. LOL

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. For sure things are a little different for all of us this year, and even if we can't all be together under the same roof, we give thanks for family and friends.

I am thankful for my family and friends, and really I am thankful to say "here we go again!".

Richard