Life has been full of smiles as of late. We've received notice from Texas that my second round of the EBV+ Trial with the arm for relapsed and refractory patients is ready for me! I will be receiving the first infusion on October 12th and then my second the October 26th.
So, a favor to any of you who are able: We are scrambling a bit financially in regards to the flights, as the infusions are coming up. Ideally, we'd love to have my partner to go with me as I'll be flying in and out of TX in one day and the pre-meds cause a bit of whooziness. But for now, we're looking for flights just from PHL to Houston, TX, just for me. So although I hate to ask for any bit of charity, if you know of any charities, or anyone willing to use frequent flier miles to help out this cancer patient, let me know! If you'd like to chip in just a few dollars you can always donate to the paypal account listed on the screen. (If you would like to donate your miles in any way, on either date, for myself or my partner, please email me at: RebekahFurey@mac.com so we could possibly discuss details) We obviously would be forever in debt to anyone who could help us, and thank you in advance for just reading this small paragraph.
But on to to the good stuff! My ESR/SED rate remains unchanged this week, it is holding in the 40's, and we are thrilled about that. My weight continues to fluctuate between 126-128lbs, I am hoping as I contiue to gain now it is due to muscle mass! :) And the last piece of wonderful news is that since the infusions in TX are ready to go, we will scan 8 weeks post the second infusion. This means that I will receive a PET/CT scan sometime during December, which will be the longest period of time my body has ever had time off from a scan since 2006 (pretty cool if you ask me). If I begin to have any symptoms, drop weight, or my ESR sky rockets we will move the scan date closer. However, O'conner says there is no need for a check-up since Dr. Bollard down in TX will be seeing me, and we can follow the EBV trial protocol-schedule of scan dates.
All in all, this is wonderful, wonderful news. I will have the entire semester off from toxic-treatment (unless anything pops up on the radar), and we are giving Texas a second go and hoping this arm of the trial will do some damage to those pesky cancer cells. In the midst of my last year of graduate school, new cancer treatments/vaccines, and just life in general I can easily say that I am honestly one of the lucky ones, and life could not be more sweet these days. As always, I thank all of you for your comfort, support and love and I hope you're all enjoying the change of seasons and life as much as I am these days.
As always, sending each and every one of you tons and tons of love & light :)
B.
6 comments:
I have 30,000 miles with Continental, that could be yours if you need them! All the best to you!
Cara
Hi Bekah,
Cancer Care offers financial assistance for travel to/from appointments. http://www.cancercare.org/financial
Good luck! Sorry I can't be of more help.
You are amazing! I wish we lived closer and could know each other better! I am SO happy for you!!! :))))
YAY Bekah, so happy for the good news. I've heard Angel flights is helpful. Maybe you can talk with Kara about how she worked out her flights from NC to NYC. I haven't been in the flight position yet, but you need a caretaker. AND FYI- sometimes from scans or just the type of therapy, you can set off security alarms! I was so "hot" after my last treatment everywhere was buzzin'. Please get a note from your Doctor just in case, wouldn't want you to have any embarrassing flight stories.
You truly are an amazing person with the softest soul. I do not know you but feel like I do! Thank you for opening your life and story to us =) I cant wait to read about the "cure" !!! *hugs*
have you tried angel flights? our friend karin and her husband were flown to texas MD anderson on them for free: http://aircharitynetwork.org/
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