Monday...October 18th...2010

A visit with and examination by Linda's Oncologist today as well as time with the clinical trial coordinator.

This is what we learned today....

The infusion of the STA 9090 is so concentrated that it cannot be infused through Linda's port...it actually deteriorates a port over time so it must be done through a vein....

The process will continue as long as it is determined that the trial is effective which means maintenance or better....

There can actually be improvement rather than just staying "even"....

Linda will get a CT scan every 6 weeks to determine the effectiveness of the trial.....

Linda will get a CT scan this Wednesday as well as an MRI and EKG and Eco cardiogram to make sure she is physically acceptable for the trial......the Oncologist will also examine the scan to see if there is a reason showing up which might explain the increase coughing.....which, if so, might lead to radiation or increased medication...we shall see.....

There is one other patient at OHSU, with lung cancer, who is on this clinical trial and in his second month...

If the trial is not effective, Linda will be taken off immediately and then given traditional infusions of chemo types.....

The side effects should be minimal with some nausea and perhaps lower intestinal issues...both dealt with in anticipation with meds....

This is about what we remember from today...Linda wants this trial to reverse what she has lost over the last 4 months..if she can return to how she felt 4 months ago, she will declare it a victory...