The long awaited Parps[1], otherwise known as the “wonder” drug, are safely in my trembling hands. “Wonder” that is, as in “I wonder if they’ll do the trick?”
The complete story is too long to share with you in this particular blog. In any event I’m too emotionally drained at the moment. There are so many people I feel I have to thank first – yet cannot begin to mention everyone.
First and foremost, thanks to my oncologist, Dr Talia Golan, who took on the seemingly impossible to give me this life-saving chance. Thanks to Abbott Laboratories[2] for granting me their experimental drug. It was only today that I found out that I’m the only person in Israel that has been granted the drug on compassionate grounds – and I may well be the only person in the world given the opportunity outside of the Abbott trial.
Pam’s tenacity has no words that can be written to thank her.
Driving back from Tel Hashomer Hospital, my head was in a total spin. Bizarre things came to mind. Neil Armstrong, the man lucky enough to be first on the moon. His namesake, Lance Armstrong, a man who successfully battled cancer only to become embroiled in an on-going drug-abuse scandal. And as Pam, so correctly suggested, the drive home was reminiscent of bringing our daughters home from birth – a surreal drive with a cargo too precious for words.
For the record, I’ll be popping the PARP pills at 12 hourly intervals – starting at 19:00 local time tonight.
Let’s hope this breaking story will have a happy ending… in a long time to come.
[1] Veliparib, or ABT-888, is an orally active poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase potent inhibitor of both PARP-1 and PARP-2 that potentiates DNA-damaging agents in preclinical tumors.
Wonderful news! Does Abbot also have fan paraphernalia on offer? We want to be properly fitted out with the scarves, caps, noisemakers so we can cheer your progress.
Alan
I’m celebrating with you too!!!! YAY!!!!
sof sof – how agonizing this has been for you. “Pop those pills baby”
Wow what great news. Good luck!!!
I am smiling and happy to hear this news. Love to you all!
Sue-Ellen
Gotsedank! I’ve been checking in every few days to see what’s new in the trials and tribulations of our hero. And today, lo and behold- GOOD news. YAY.
Hi Martin:
Your blogs are so expressively written. I hope the new meds do their job. You are so certainly holding on to life with tenacity and deserve for them to work.
Nima Dan
IDC
Amen
Patient patience paid off xxxxx