So much ridiculousness don't even know where to begin

[smalltownmess]

This is a rant because cancer is the worst and I hate it.

As some of you know my mom was on the RRX001 trial, after about five months on Irinotecan, she stopped responding to it. I had originally thought she would be able to switch back to RRX001 to re-resensitize, but come to find out the entire trial is on hold because the bouncing back and forth has not been approved by the FDA and my mom's oncologist says he doesn't know when or even if it will be approved. Ridiculous.

So then my mom goes on Stivarga. Everything is fine and dandy for two week and then Monday she breaks out in a rash. We were told it could be normal, I call to see if there's something they can prescribe for it, am told its best to come in. This morning she sees the dermatologist and turns out it was a very bad reaction that could have been fatal had she continued on this medication. They're doing a biopsy and then deciding if she can continue this at all safely. Ridiculous.

And to top it all off, I'm in class this morning having a lecture on genetics and cancer. Of course my professor starts talking about colon cancer and statistics of efficacy considering KRAS mutations. Didn't really feel like discussing cancer statistics, especially not this morning. The best part, the professor goes on to say that he doesn't think the few months Vectibix and other drugs extend a patient's life is worth the thousands and thousands of dollars it costs to give them those medications after he talks about how healthy he is and has never had a serious medical issue. Took everything I had not to walk out. He's an MD (although not an oncologist) and hearing him talk about money over life is just SO RIDICULOUS.

So much irony, too lol

[janderson]

I feel you pain and anger. I was getting more pissed off as I kept reading your post. Especially the last part. What the Hell does he care what it cost. It's not his money. 2 months is just a statistic. That means there are also people who benefited from Vectibix for more than 2 months as well. I don't like the statistics of a lot of these drugs either BUT we need as many options as we can get until they can come up with a real solution to controlling the disease.

[mstults]

Statistics are useless. They are at least a couple years old, even with the newer drugs. And especially with the newer drugs they are used as a last resort. Most of the users in the studies and early statistics have only days or a few months at the very most. I've been on Vectibix 3 months. Had a scan last week showing progression but my CEA had gone up before switching to Vectibix and my last scan was 5 months before this one. So oncologist says tumors could have grown more and now are shrinking but are still larger than when last scan was done. He always finds a way to put forth the positive. Vectibix is quite expensive but I'll take it as long as the Oncologist says to and insurance approves. And statistics be damned.

[Sleen]

...statistics be damned.

Yes! Hear hear!

Took everything I had not to walk out.

I'd shoot the MD a quick email letting him know that his classroom audience could do with a little bedside manner. I'm sorry you had to listen to that. Also very sorry about your Mom's reaction to Stivarga--wow. These meds are scary.

Celine

[JENNJ]

hopefully someone that ignorant will never have to find out how condescending it would be to have people put a price tag on their life. I would spend millions (if we had it) to extend my loved one's lives. First class ass.
Katy

[debb]

I got the rash from Stivarga too. I was prescribed oral steroids and cream to treat. And I was taken off the Stivarga, because I was participating in a clinical trial to determine Stivarga's use as a 2nd line treatment. My next scan showed shrinkage. If I wasn't part of the trial, my doc would've probably given me a short break to let the rash subside, then he'd lower my dosage. But that wasn't part of the study protocol, so I opted out. No biopsy of rash..it was obviously caused by the drug, and went away in short order.

[skypup]

Statistics are useless.

No, they aren't if you understand what they are and you are of a nature that values the info they contain.

And statistics be damned.

Absolutely!!!