Re: OT - And quite long - What you have all suspected for a very long time...

On Feb 27, 6:14 pm, Rita L in MA <leon...@xxxxxx> wrote:
Hello,

Although some of you are aware of my illness, I have held back a bit on
talking about it here.  There have been a few casual mentions imbedded
in posts about other things.  Today is different, though.  Today I want
to shout from the roof tops.

This is a quick catch up for anyone who doesn't know and wants to:
In November I was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 lung cancer.  I have
been undergoing chemotherapy since then at my local hospital.  I also
requested a second opinion at a large Boston hospital (Mass. General).
The rest of the Mass. General story below is what I sent to my
'all-about-rita' mailing list this afternoon!  I am VERY happy!

Rita L. in MA

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

What you have all suspected for a very long time...

...has now been proven in a lab at Mass. General Hospital.

I AM MUTANT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, only half mutant but that, as it turns out, is a good thing.  In a
post to this list a while back I mentioned that the doctors I saw at
Mass. General back in December had asked for tissue samples from the
biopsy of my lungs.  They wanted to test for a genetic cell mutation
that responds well to a newly developed drug.  Later I mentioned that
they were testing for two different mutations.  I was a bit confused
there, thinking that there were two drugs - one for each of the
mutations.  (This is where being half mutant is good.)  One of the
mutations can be successfully managed by the one drug.  The other
mutation rears its ugly head at some point and negates the effect of the
first, causing a relapse.  I HAVE THE GOOD MUTATION  and  I DO NOT HAVE
THE BAD MUTATION.   Did you hear that?  I can shout it again, if you
want :-)   :-)   :-)

I don't have any detail on next steps because my oncologist is away this
week.  It is certain that any further decisions about my treatment will
be done in collaboration with the doctors at MGH.  One of them called me
on Tuesday, thinking that my doctor had told me the results already and
asking if I had any questions.  She could not, ethically, tell me too
much but she just couldn't hold back.  She told me about the positive
result and then talked about possible treatments, including clinical
trials which I would need to go to MGH for.  Well (any four letter word
you like), I will go to the MOON if that is what it takes!  So, I am
walking on air this week.

Thank you for all your caring and support!

Rita

That is just wonderful news Rita - so happy for you. Big Hug

Sharon (N.B.)
.

Relevant Pages
Loading