KANIK'S NEW TACTIC

As many of you know, Kanik was evaluated last week to see if he was eligible for another drug trial (to take the place of the once-quite-effective now-not-so-much-effective treatment). Unfortunately, the doctors determined that, given his specific medical profile, he was ineligible to take part in this particular trial. (It must be said, however, that this trial included drugs that have not yet been tested on humans--making its safety unknown--so it's not actually a terrible thing that Kanik will not being going down that road.)

Kanik's doctors DID decide that he will now switch back to chemotherapy (he'll be regularly infused with two chemotherapy drugs, as well as with vitamin B to enhance the effects of the chemotherapy).  The combination of these two chemotherapy drugs Kanik will be receiving have been used as a treatment for colon cancer and clinical trials in China have shown this regimen works for liver cancer.

This new treatment is scheduled to start on June 4th, however it is a temporary treatment.  Kanik's doctor, Abou Alfa, wants to put him in another clinical trial, though that trial probably will not start until September. 

Kanik, again, needs continued love and support during this new phase of treatment.  And a reminder: Kanik (surprise, surprise) does not check this blog or Facebook, so please call or email directly if you want to get any messages to him.

Of course, cookies in the mail are always nice too.

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Solid Start to Spring with Changes Ahead...

This post has been a long time coming, due, in most part, to the authors' inability/unwillingness to honestly say what has been going on with Kanik and his treatment for fear of angering any or all of the gods of religion or whim. For many months now, K has been on the same treatment and it has been as successful as anyone could have imagined.

The Man and Amanda at Mets v Nationals on April 19th

After his latest scan last week, however, it looks like it's time to change course and come at this another way. From what we understand from all available resources, this is the way it works with aggressive cancers that people live with for as long as we know K will: you leap from treatment to treatment as each one becomes less effective, staying ahead of developments as much as possible.

Here's what this means right now: overall the number of cancer cells is approximately the same as before but the CT scan did reveal some new, small tumors in the lungs.  Dr. Abou Alfa said he reviewed the scan carefully with the radiologist and they decided that the cancer has progressed and is not eligible to stay on this current trial despite some SHRINKAGE OF THE TUMORS IN THE LIVER.  

Over the next few weeks, K will surely be looking to keep himself as strong as possible both mentally and physically (read: LOTS of playoff basketball, A's baseball, glass blowing and meal devouring). Keep that love coming and we'll update once new treatment begins in a week or so.