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And now the really good update: There are a couple of ways of knowing if the pill is working. The best way is, of course, an updated scan which will show whether the cancer has stopped growing or even, shall one dare to imagine it, the cancer has shrunk. I am getting a new scan, the first after starting this new trial, in two weeks. However, the second way of providing an indication as to whether the pill is working is a blood test that measures a tumor marker known as “CA19-9”. The lower the number the better. (For example, right before my Whipple surgery my CA19-9 was 383; right after the surgery the level was 14.). My CA19-9 when I started the new trial 3 weeks ago was about 200, not great. If the Pill was working then my new CA19-9 number would not be higher than 200. I got the new CA19-9 results back one week ago. The number? 83!! That’s right my CA19-9 dropped by over half. While we won’t know for sure what is the status of my cancer tumor until the scan, a couple of weeks from today, the dramatic drop in CA19-9 is a very good indicator that my cancer has been stopped growing or is actually shrinking. Keep your fingers crossed.

Reality check: The pill does not work forever and so I need to be ready for it to stop working at any time. However, if/when the pill stops working, hopefully years from now, there are additional alternatives waiting for me including potentially an updated pill, another dose of chemotherapy etc. I get scans every 6-8 weeks to see if the drug is working.

Physically I still feel great and enjoy exercising every day. Emotionally it has been a bit of a roller-coaster for both Jane and me. Some moments you seem OK, other moments you don’t. The good news is that something like this really makes you think about what is important to you. In my case: family, friends, some work and life’s tiny adventures. So, I am concentrating on: (1) fighting like hell to live as long as I can, (2) doing whatever the doctors at MSK say I should and (3) trying to get to the point of peaceful acceptance in the event things go south. 

Here's to the next time.

All my love

Ty