CT Scan results, biopsy, new developments

Hello everyone.
They attempted another celiac axis nerve block on Valentine's day and unfortunately it did not work. For this reason her pain medications had to be changed today.

They were able to get a positive tissue biopsy from her liver and this means she qualifies for a clinical trial.

The CT scans show that the cancer is active, it has spread and that the Xeloda is no longer working. They will try this clinical trial in two weeks. They need time to wash the Xeloda out of her system.

The trial uses a drug that treats malaria but interacts with a pathway that helps pancreatic cancer cells survive. By blocking it (this process is called autophagy)they hope to kill the pancreatic cancer cells. Here is a free article on pubmed for people who are interested: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2914492/?tool=pmcentrez

And also here is information on the clinical trial(thanks to my dear friend Gillian who works at DFCI): http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?cdrid=693433&version=HealthProfessional&protocolsearchid=8853963

The gist of the trial is this: "Hydroxychloroquine is approved for the treatment of non-cancerous illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous. Researchers in the laboratory have tested tumors from patients with pancreatic cancer and have discovered that they have certain pathways inside the cells that promote growth and survival of the tumor. Hydroxychloroquine may inactivate these pathways and results in the death of pancreatic cancer cells."

It's just a pill, taken daily. We'd go back every 2 weeks to see the doctor.

I will keep you all updated on how she's doing with the clinical trial. We all hope for the best. Inshallah.

New Year, New Treatment

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a safe and Happy New Year!
A lot has happened since I posted. First I'd like to start off with October.

My cousin Parveen and I organized a walk to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Research. It was through the Lustgarten foundation. I mainly used Facebook to raise money.
There was a lot of generosity out there from friends and family. Our team was able to raise $1,745 in one week. Altogether, participants raised $244,345. One hundred percent of this money went directly towards research thanks to corporate sponsors who underwrite all of the administrative costs. Hopefully, these funds will go towards research that will help people with pancreatic cancer live longer. Ultimately, researchers will be able to find a cure.

Lots of people donate and wanted to be there in person to walk with me. Those who came out on the cold October day were Dan, Ahad, Saba, Trisha, Gina and Mukta. Of course Parveen and Jeff were there. The support was overwhelming!

Here's a picture of the team before we started the walk:


My mother was diagnosed a year ago in December. Her doctors and nurses at Dana Farber have been amazing. A year ago I was extremely scared and did not know what to expect.

She underwent nearly 11 cycles of IV gemcitabine treatment. Unfortunately the drug's effectiveness came into question in early December 2010 due to her increased pain, weight loss and other symptoms.

A CT scan showed that the cancer has spread to her liver. There is a small metastasis but it's still not great news.

Now the doctor is trying oral chemotherapy. The drug is called Xeloda (7 days off, 7 days on). The side effects are a little harsher than Gemcitabine, the greatest concern being toxicity.

So far she's had 2 rounds on the drug and she's been doing well. She's gained 2 of the 10 pounds that she lost in December. The pain is still a problem, mainly her back. She has nausea once a week, she'll vomit about once or twice a week.

Otherwise everything is the same. I will keep you all updated, I am sorry I haven't updated in a while.

Wishing for the best in 2011.

Cycle 9, Round 1 Tomorrow

Hi all, this week she's been so so. Felt nauseous last week, she's had increased breakthrough pain. She and my aunt will discuss it with the doctor tomorrow and I'll post an update.

Otherwise she's doing fabulous. We had a little party for Sujon and she was up and about in the kitchen. It makes her feel really happy to see people.

Cycle 8, round 2

Hi everyone, just to give you all an update that mom is doing great.
No changes in her disease as shown in the CT scans.

We are all very happy to hear this news.

Cycle 6 Round 2 Coming Up

EUS was not necessary, thank God. Doctor is happy with the progress.
I will write more after the appointment this Friday. She is due for her third (I think) CT scan August 9th. I shall definitely update the family and friends after that. Sorry I haven't posted much but yet again, no news is good news.

We did enjoy a family picnic in Newton Center to celebrate my aunt and Daniel's birthday. There was a mariachi band and dancing and singing. We ate Mexican food and Parveen's friend joined us.

It was something different from our usual cook-eat-clean routine at home.
So all in all, mom is consistently going out and enjoying life.

Round 2 Cycle 5

Routine visit. Mom's pain is returning a little bit, she's needed to take morphine more for her breakthrough pain. Dr. A thinks she's due for another EUS procedure to do a Celiac Nerve Block.

We celebrated Sabir's 3rd birthday which was great. She helped a lot with the prep so today she (along with the rest of the family) were pretty beat. It was worth it though, thank you to all those who came out.

Found a venue for the wedding so we have to take mom out to see the place. That'll make her very happy.

That's all for now. More details to come regarding the EUS.

Round 1 Cycle 5

Yesterday mom began her fifth cycle of chemo. The appointment went well, her nurse practitioner Nina was very happy to see my mom wearing her hair down.

Memorial Day Weekend she went out with the family to a few parties. It is so nice to see her wearing pretty saris, going out, seeing people. Everyone's been so happy to see her!

They've set her up with appointment all the way into July which is good.

I think it is a good thing that you guys don't hear from me as often. hahaha.

The month of June brings three birthdays: Sabir's 3rd, Parveen, and Dan all share the same birthday month.

Tomorrow we are attending a wedding. I don't think mom is comfortable going to the wedding but she did attend the traditional tumeric ceremony. The bride was so happy to see my mom, she gave her a big hug. Though mom did not get up and dance she said she enjoyed watching me make a fool of myself.

I will update periodically as needed but just know that she is doing well, inshallah.