Finally Passed

Yep, I did it. It took another 2 blood tests to do it, as well as some dietary and medication changes. 

After the 4th failed blood test (my platelets actually went down from 95,000 to 89,000) I went on line and researched low platelets. It turns out that some foods can help, like salmon, tuna and some veggies I can't remember. In addition some foods and medications can hurt. That was the key.

I get headaches every day (which I assumed was a holdover from chemo) and I took Ibuprofen to help. Unfortunately this drug contains Naproxen which suppresses the production of platelets. I also learned that one of the symptoms of low platelets is headaches. What? Yes, I get headaches, take Ibuprofen then get more headaches. Sounds like a vicious circle. 

So I stopped taking Ibuprofen, ate some salmon along with spinach and my last blood test showed a platelet count of 112,000. Twelve thousand more than I needed to meet the Clinical Trial's criteria. The kicker to this is that the trial had officially closed and had I flunked this last time I would have not made the trial.

Luckily I did. On Thursday morning of this week I had a CT scan at Mayo in Scottsdale. Later in the day I met with the clinical coordinator and Hematology nurse at Mayo Phoenix to complete my paperwork and get randomized as to what group I would be in. It is still a little unclear to me which one I will be in, but I believe it will be the group that takes the maximum dosage from the start along with the steroid cream for the main side effect, hand foot syndrome.

I go back this coming Tuesday to Mayo Phoenix to get the medication and review the trial directions. At that time I will know for sure what group I am in.

I feel very fortunate and blessed to have made the Clinical Trial. My latest scan showed growth of two tumors in my lungs along with added fluid between the lungs and lining that surrounds the three sacks of the lungs. If this increases there is a procedure to drain some of the fluid that will need to be done.

So... Next week will be the first week of the rest of my life so to speak.

Keep your fingers crossed for me , will ya?

RT