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I received the following email message last night from my doctor.

Dear John,

I had a call today from the National Cancer Institute.

Right now, they believe that you are not a candidate for the gene transfer study.

They are concerned that you had too many brain metastases when you started treatment.

I think that this decision is an error, since the brain abnormalities seen on your MRI now represent treated areas, scars, and there have been no new areas of abnormality.

I have asked them to review this decision.

I will keep you posted on this, and other options.

Dr. A.

This means I don't have to pack my bag and fly off to Maryland.

I feel a certain level of disappointment about this development, but I am not disheartened

Having Pascal and Henzz here from Amsterdam has been fantastic. They have been enjoying themselves having made trips to the Mall of America, Valley Fair, 7 Sushi, the Stone Arch Bridge, The Walker Art Museum's sculpture gallery, Grand Old Day, and other unique Twin Cities locations and events. I am sad to think about their departure later this week.

I will celebrate my thirty-third birthday on Friday the 13th of this month, the same day of the week I was born on lo those many years ago. The early the following day we will travel with our friends Rod, Georgianne, and Vanessa to Bayfield, WI to begin a two day sailing trip on Lake Superior.

Happiness is having wonderful things to look forward to.

Labels: clinical trial, friends

 Eric wrote:
JB, I'm sorry to hear that you were turned down by NCI. Hopefully your doctor's plea to review it will be successful and they will get you in after all.

If not, don't be discouraged. I'm certain there are plenty of other options to help keep you going! Hang in there!

Eric @ Fun With Melanoma

 rusttv wrote:
I'm sorry to hear this, but I hope that your oncologist will help steer them in the right direction. If not, it seems as if there's a multitude of melanoma studies so there's plenty of things to try!

Have a great time on your trip! And remember, I should be one of the people visiting you soon!!

 kipperkc wrote:
JB. I miss you. I do not know if you will make it to MMF. It would be nice to see you. Your situation is not easy, but you strength and determination is amazing. I feel like a bad person not sending any emails on the MMF list, but personally I feel it is too public, and there are a lot of people who love to make a comment or two. My heart goes out to you. My aunt had a brain tumor removed in Jan this year and is recovering nicely.

Love.

David of Norway (Kipper)

 henzz wrote:
Hey there,
slowly coming back from the twilightzone that is known as jetlag. Preparing for work as we speak, but must tell you I have had the best week ever with you guys.

It was like "old" times relived. Was nice to see & experience the place where you come form and feel as welcome as Pascal & I did. I hope you can make it to Holland in fall, since I miss you already.

And don't fly Delta :)
Big hug

 Melanie wrote:
Sorry about not your getting to go NCI, but I hope they'll reconsider. Have a great sailing trip. Wish I could be there!