I've been looking into trials since the recurrence was diagnosed 18 months ago. They can be _that_ complicated to get into! About 4 denials or failures over that time frame. Lots of frustrations with trial groups that don't return phone calls or emails. IRBs with so much bureaucracy they can't get out of their own way with compassionate use exemptions...

Anyway, I'll have another CA19 test and result this Friday and new scans a week later to get a better idea how I'm responding to the GAC.

The higher levels and bad scans after two reduced-dose treatments and one missed treatment have reversed since restoring the full GAC dose at my last 4 treatments, but I'm not yet back down to the pre-reduction CA19-9 levels.

One oncologist who was planning a trial told me last November I was responding so well to the GAC that it would be unethical to take me off it for a trial with unknown effectiveness. It's a weird balancing act to get "just sick enough" to qualify for a trial and not too sick to qualify or risk letting your health get to the point of no return.

I've got my name in for a couple open trials right now, but only one is even remotely realistic at present. I hope to have news on that in the next couple weeks. I'm hoping my recently improved CA19 doesn't disqualify me again.

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