Trial Treatment Update

Hello all!! I figured I would chime in on my progress. As you know I was accepted into a trial study for some new chemo. I must say this has been the hardest part of the whole ordeal so far. The first round of radiation and chemo was a cake walk. I lost half of my hair on my head and was a little more fatigued than normal. I fixed the no hair problem by shaving it all off, no big deal. It gave me a good excuse to go bald anyway. The side effects from the new chemo are a little different. Every 2 weeks I go to MD Anderson and get an IV form of chemo called Avastin, and the second part of the trial is a pill form chemo called Tarceva. This Tarceva is not my new friend. The doctors and nurses told me I would get a rash but it shouldn't be to the point of being uncomfortable. This rash which looks like acne showed up on my nose first and over took it. I look like Rudolph the Red Nose Scotty with white pockets on it. It looks like I have taken a good beating. After about a week of being on it the rash spread to my neck, chest, underarms, and back. To add to it I came down with a little stomach issue that was not too pleasant either (also possible side effects of Tarceva). So on last Wednesday September 14, 2011 I made a trip to the ER at MD Anderson after consulting my nurse and doctor. By this time I was running a low grade fever, stomach issues, and the invasion of the rash. I only stayed a few hours and donated more money to the cause, but the stomach issues we think was a little bug, the fever went away after a night but that rash just kept on coming in full stride. After talking with the nurse all week about this rash she just kept saying, yes you will have a rash but should not be uncomfortable. So on Friday it became uncomfortable. After I took a shower I dried off my nose, it took the pockets with it and just began bleeding on the outside and the front of my chest and back was now covered with it too. I just had a t-shirt on and it touching the rash made it ache. I felt I wasn't getting anywhere with the nurse on the issue of this rash, like was the normal rash and at what point is it too uncomfortable? So when I got home from work my beautiful wife took pictures of the rash and we emailed to the nurse and she began to call anybody and everybody at MD Anderson that would pick up a phone to show them the pictures. After about an hour or so of talking to people and emailing the pictures, come to find out the rash is pretty severe and not the typical. They decided to take me off of the Tarceva for a week and see if the rash goes down. I have been off Tarceva for 3 days now the rash is slowly going away but not a quick as it appeared. The nurse said they will try a combination of things reducing the amount of Tarceva and and giving me and antibiotic. The doctor is trying to come up with a solution and hopefully will know something by the end of the week. I am still scheduled to take the Avastin tomorrow. I guess this why they call it a TRIAL!! I have to thank Candace for her calling and getting a answer. When she wants something she will get it. I love her for it!! I think I may be too laid back sometimes. Keep the prayers coming!!! We will fight it too the end!!

Love Ya'll

Scotty