test study for cancer saving lives
Donation protected
JAN 15th-- The day I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time was back in August, just two months after I was told it was gone. I was getting serious pains in my chest and stomach, lost my appetite, became extremely pale, and had severe fatigue. This was a familiar feeling.
Before I was diagnosed the first time, I had been back and forth to Virginia Mason multiple times with the above symptoms and all they would do was give me blood tests and small pain pills and tell me they didn't know what was wrong with me. If I had let them stop at that, I would be dead right now.
Finally I was sent to a Sports Doctor on a completely unrelated problem. This doctor gave me a CT scan and eventually informs me that it looked like I had lymphoma. I broke down in tears and cried for hours. I was then scheduled for a PET scan to see how far along it was, etc. I found out that I had Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 3B. I was angry that Dr. Moy, the previous doctor, he never thought to give me a CT scan or a PET scan, even though I had asked for them multiple times. I felt like they thought I was a liar. I was very angry and spoke with Dr. Moys supervisor, all they could tell me was that they were sorry. But, AN APOLOGY DOES NOT SAVE MY LIFE!!!
They then transferred me to a cancer specialist; Dr. Vishnu., he wasn't much better. When I asked him questions, he would basically laugh at me, tell me I would be fine and walk out of the room. I felt like I was just another number or a dollar sign for them. Nonetheless, they set up a plan of 6 months of ABVD chemotherapy. And it worked, I went into remission.
After being diagnosed the second time, I moved to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for my care. Right off the bat, I felt I was getting 1000 times better care than I was at Virginia Mason. They came up with a new plan for right away. They were concerned because the lymphoma was spread throughout my stomach and chest and it was so large that it was pressing on my heart and lungs.
This time I was to undergo a chemo called ICE, all of the side effects they said would occur were very scary to me. Not only did they say it was going to be very dangerous very painful, but it only had a 50% survival rate. It was 85% with the previous chemo. I was also told it was going be so strong that it will cause sores in my mouth, I will have to be fed by Iv and it will destroy my bladder. Then AFTER that is over I will have to undergo a bone marrow AND t-cell transplant. This transplant can leave me bed ridden for months.... Even years. This was presented to me as my only option, it scared me so much that I asked if there were any test studies I could be involved in. I waa called one day before I was to start the ICE treatment and told I was approved for a test study. They wanted me to come in andake a decision very quickly on whether or not I wanted to participate. It would be an added to treatment to the ICE and I would be the fourth person to do it, the first to sit with the higher dosage. My girlfriend and I were in the room with six medical professionals, asked as many questions as we could think of and then asked for time to think about it.
The team left the room , Elyse and I weighed the options. Even though I was told it could make the entire process much more difficult and painful, we ultimately decided that I would do it. Not only for me but, for other cancer patients. I thought about the millions of lives I could help save with this study. I know it may sound silly but, it kinda made me feel like I was going to be a super hero, like I wanted to be when I was a kid. I also thought about my dad in heaven and how proud he would be of me for being brave and putting my life on the line to save others.
When the team came back in the room and I told them what my decision was, they were so grateful and reiterated how many people. They mentioned my name will be in the papers, I don't even care about that. I just want to keep other people; children, the elderly, anyone from going through the nightmare I have been through, if I can.this will help. I knew I made the right decision. they will be and how many lives i can save my name will be in the paper and i dont care about all that i just dont want ANYONE else to go through this nightmare;the financial loss, selling valuable to survive, to pay rent, buy food, have transportation...of everything we have is gone and had to be sold.
This battle is not going to be over after the chemo is done, it's not going to be over after the transplants, I will be permanently damaged from this and may not be able to work again. I will be poked and prodded for next five years for the study of the test drug alone.
My my life has changed significantly due to cancer, I used to be very athletic, loved walking around Greenlake and working out several days week, now I have constant pain and anxiety, my nerves are shot, I have lost 74 pounds and feel bad about myself every time I look in the mirror.
I made this account to share my story and ask for help, I am a proud man and I wouldn't ask for help if we didn't really need it. My girlfriend had to quit her job to take care of me because for a long while, I am going to need someone watching over me 24-7. we need your prayers and financial help, PLEASE! Every penny counts! Thank you so much!!
Before I was diagnosed the first time, I had been back and forth to Virginia Mason multiple times with the above symptoms and all they would do was give me blood tests and small pain pills and tell me they didn't know what was wrong with me. If I had let them stop at that, I would be dead right now.
Finally I was sent to a Sports Doctor on a completely unrelated problem. This doctor gave me a CT scan and eventually informs me that it looked like I had lymphoma. I broke down in tears and cried for hours. I was then scheduled for a PET scan to see how far along it was, etc. I found out that I had Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 3B. I was angry that Dr. Moy, the previous doctor, he never thought to give me a CT scan or a PET scan, even though I had asked for them multiple times. I felt like they thought I was a liar. I was very angry and spoke with Dr. Moys supervisor, all they could tell me was that they were sorry. But, AN APOLOGY DOES NOT SAVE MY LIFE!!!
They then transferred me to a cancer specialist; Dr. Vishnu., he wasn't much better. When I asked him questions, he would basically laugh at me, tell me I would be fine and walk out of the room. I felt like I was just another number or a dollar sign for them. Nonetheless, they set up a plan of 6 months of ABVD chemotherapy. And it worked, I went into remission.
After being diagnosed the second time, I moved to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for my care. Right off the bat, I felt I was getting 1000 times better care than I was at Virginia Mason. They came up with a new plan for right away. They were concerned because the lymphoma was spread throughout my stomach and chest and it was so large that it was pressing on my heart and lungs.
This time I was to undergo a chemo called ICE, all of the side effects they said would occur were very scary to me. Not only did they say it was going to be very dangerous very painful, but it only had a 50% survival rate. It was 85% with the previous chemo. I was also told it was going be so strong that it will cause sores in my mouth, I will have to be fed by Iv and it will destroy my bladder. Then AFTER that is over I will have to undergo a bone marrow AND t-cell transplant. This transplant can leave me bed ridden for months.... Even years. This was presented to me as my only option, it scared me so much that I asked if there were any test studies I could be involved in. I waa called one day before I was to start the ICE treatment and told I was approved for a test study. They wanted me to come in andake a decision very quickly on whether or not I wanted to participate. It would be an added to treatment to the ICE and I would be the fourth person to do it, the first to sit with the higher dosage. My girlfriend and I were in the room with six medical professionals, asked as many questions as we could think of and then asked for time to think about it.
The team left the room , Elyse and I weighed the options. Even though I was told it could make the entire process much more difficult and painful, we ultimately decided that I would do it. Not only for me but, for other cancer patients. I thought about the millions of lives I could help save with this study. I know it may sound silly but, it kinda made me feel like I was going to be a super hero, like I wanted to be when I was a kid. I also thought about my dad in heaven and how proud he would be of me for being brave and putting my life on the line to save others.
When the team came back in the room and I told them what my decision was, they were so grateful and reiterated how many people. They mentioned my name will be in the papers, I don't even care about that. I just want to keep other people; children, the elderly, anyone from going through the nightmare I have been through, if I can.this will help. I knew I made the right decision. they will be and how many lives i can save my name will be in the paper and i dont care about all that i just dont want ANYONE else to go through this nightmare;the financial loss, selling valuable to survive, to pay rent, buy food, have transportation...of everything we have is gone and had to be sold.
This battle is not going to be over after the chemo is done, it's not going to be over after the transplants, I will be permanently damaged from this and may not be able to work again. I will be poked and prodded for next five years for the study of the test drug alone.
My my life has changed significantly due to cancer, I used to be very athletic, loved walking around Greenlake and working out several days week, now I have constant pain and anxiety, my nerves are shot, I have lost 74 pounds and feel bad about myself every time I look in the mirror.
I made this account to share my story and ask for help, I am a proud man and I wouldn't ask for help if we didn't really need it. My girlfriend had to quit her job to take care of me because for a long while, I am going to need someone watching over me 24-7. we need your prayers and financial help, PLEASE! Every penny counts! Thank you so much!!
Organizer
Monte Allen
Organizer
Seattle, WA
