Kelly has now reached an important milestone – six months of home-based chemo therapy controlled by bi-monthly exams and consultations with her medical team at MSKCC in NYC. It is at this point that a decision about the course of future care and treatments must be made. So, last Friday she returned to MSKCC; first for an early morning MRI series and then we all crowded into an exam room once again for our usual discussion of Kelly’s care and treatment. Dr. Mellinghoff prepped us by casually announcing that the team radiologists only took a few minutes to review the MRI images, an indication that their analysis would be positive. And so it was! The entire medical team remains delighted by the lack of any reappearance of the tumor and by the complete absence of any other physical or psychological distress. In our hearts we know this to be a continuing miracle!
Dr. Ingo Mellinghoff and Dillon Clan
There is no obvious progression for Kelly’s treatment at this point – a clinically proven research result that might guide the team doctors. The lack of this “signpost” left us with a quandary – Where do we go from here?
We do two things: First, we start by investigating Kelly’s tumor for clues. A number of very thin samples of the tumor will be analyzed for the presence of a biological marker. The presence – or absence – of the marker will provide her medical team with a link to the results of a large research study that can guide the team in deciding upon the length of time to keep Kelly in treatment.
A very similar investigation was done at the outset of Kelly’s post-op treatment nearly nine months ago. Tumor samples were analyzed for the presence of a specific genetic marker. If Kelly had the marker, her post-op treatment would follow a more proven and effective route. But the marker was not present, and that guided the treatment regime chosen – a more aggressive one that she has been undergoing these many months.
Secondly, and by joint agreement, a decision was made to continue the identical chemo therapy for an additional two cycles (eight weeks) – same medication, same dosage, and same intervals – while the new clinical analysis is completed.
No other restrictions to her lifestyle are needed. Family and work re-take center stage in Kelly’s daily life, supported by her positive nature/convictions and faithful prayer.
