So How?

Got a call from the clinic to see Dr Daniel yesterday. I was told that the ALK mutation tests turned out negative which means that I will not be able to take the targetted drug XALKORI.

So chemo remains the only option but this time on a different drug called TAXOTERE. Side effects will be severe, such as hair loss, numbness of fingers, fatigue ...

Question is when to recommence my chemo. Doc says it's ok to take a chemo break till after CNY.  So we agreed to start again on 19 Feb. Have to take a CT scan as well.

So God help me.

Day 168

Supposed to have my 9th chemo session but the cancer cell has grown in size and re-appeared in the x-ray. Cancer marker increased from 34 to 47 U/mL.

@$&#%^*!?! Bloody hell!

Doc says there is no point in continuing with the ALIMTA infusion as the cancer is now able to resist the drug. Have to try another drug and to do that, need to undergo a further test called ALK Mutation. This drug is called XALKORI which targets the cancer cells and destroys them.
It is in tablet form so no infusion required.

Day 147 8th chemo

The cancer marker went up to 34 U/mL (normal range 0 to 35) although the x-ray didn't show anything visible. Anyway, went ahead with my chemo.