Thursday 3 May 2018

Reasons for optimism

Over the past few weeks things have been going well and I’m finally starting to receive much needed good news on a consistent basis. I am now back into the clinical trial at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton and continue my recovery from the unexpected hip surgery a few weeks back. My PSA continues to go down and is now at a respectable and unbelievable 4.8 (down from 70+ since I started this clinical trial). This is great news and it seems that this new medication is working by keeping the cancer under control (PSA of 1 to 4 is normal). The big question is how long will it continue to help me? That remains to be seen, and all we can do is remain positive and hope for the best.

The clinical trial is called TRITON2 and consists of the study of the new experimental drug Rucaparib, meant for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Rucaparib belongs to a class of anti-cancer drugs know as PARP inhibitors and is taken in pill form daily. Research has shown that PARP inhibitors can cause cancer cells to stop growing. The goal of the study is to determine whether Rucaparib is a treatment option in patients with prostate cancer, and who have mutations in DNA repair genes such as BRCA or ATM. In order to qualify for this study, a number of tests were required and the genetic requirements had to match. Approximately 160 patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer will participate in this particular study at about 125 centers worldwide, and I happen to be one of those lucky ones. My oncologist at the Juravinski Cancer Centre is extremely optimistic about this drug and clinical trial, and based on our very early results so far, I am optimistic as well.

I'm still moving (walking) really slowly since surgery but the good news is that I've ditched both the standard and wheeled walkers that I depended on initially and am now back to the cane once again. Yesterday was the first day since my hip surgery that I ventured out on my own with a trip to the mall via cab. It was a great feeling just to get out. One of my goals now is to be able to get on that bike (it’s a standard Trek with a motor kit attached), but that may not happen as quickly as I would like it to.

I’m getting a lot of help from the CCAC/LHIN home community care group (http://healthcareathome.ca/). They have provided me with a doctor, nurses who visit my home several times per week, as well as a physiotherapist and social worker. They have been a great help for me and their services are much appreciated.

Having these mobility issues and depending so much on others has really opened my eyes and helped me to appreciate those basic things in life that we take for granted - like walking. I feel really bad for Kathryn sometimes as she has spent so much time and energy helping me and driving me around, not to mention all the additional chores around the house that she has taken on. We've also started to get the kids helping out with chores more so it's been a team effort.

I have to admit that I've been a bit down over the past few weeks. I’ve been really tired and am sleeping quite a bit and feeling lazy. I'm really looking forward to walking normally once again and perhaps being able to ride my bike and have my freedom back. Right now I've been spending way too much time at home and inside the house. Hopefully with the weather improving along with my recovery from surgery I’ll be able to get out more and enjoy that sunshine and blue sky.

I’m really enjoying my new Taylor acoustic guitar and looking forward to trying out Shayne’s (Dad’s???) new Spark DJI drone with HD video, which is currently still in the box. It looks like the nice weather is coming so we’ll soon be flying this new toy at a park nearby.

Also, I plan to reschedule that Manhattan’s music night which I was forced to postpone as a result of my hip surgery. As soon as I’m a bit more mobile we’ll set a new date.

Thanks once again for the visits, food deliveries, and your thoughts and prayers. As always, it's much appreciated! A recent box of cupcakes (Tracey!) disappeared quite quickly in our house! I blinked and it was gone!