Postby dianne052506 » Wed Jan 09, 2013 1:09 pm
When I called today to find out my CEA from last week, I talked to the trial coordinator about slot availability in the studies and told her I had referred a number of friends her way. She still say a week or two on the slots. I confirmed that the single-agent trial needed either a biopsy or stored tumor testing. I asked if a patient had to wait until the slot opened up to get the tumor testing done. She said No. A patient who is interested could contact her, sign the consent forms for the testing, and give her permission to retrieve some of the stored material and have it sent to Genetech for testing. When I had it done, there was no charge from my local hospital for retrieving and mailing the stored tissue, but I guess that could vary place to place. There was no charge from Genetech for the testing.
BTW, during the trial, Genetech pays for most everything, Aetna picks up some costs that are not directly related to the trial. So far, Aetna has not kicked on the CT scans every 6 weeks. If they are ever denied, then Genetech will pick up those costs also.
Dianne
And, for me, the big news? After 9 months off chemo, my CEA is 2.7, the same that it was in April. Can we say HAPPY DANCE??
Dianne
May 06 Stage IV CC: liver,ovarian mets
Oct 07 inoperable lung mets
Feb 08 - Apr'12 chemo
allergic to oxaliplatin, irinotecan
Aug '12-Feb'14 Genentech PD-L1/Avastin trial
Mar '14 -radiation to largest lung nodule
still recovering; looking at trials again