Day 1 completed! (Last Tuesday)

Took my first dose of immunotherapy for my cancer in a phase 1 study. I must commend the great staff at UCHealth; all have been super caring and very attentive to my needs. Today was the first dose and multi-day hospital stay; this will continue for the next several weeks, and once a safe and efficacious dose is found, there will be several years to follow.

Also, to the great work that cancer organizations do to support cancer patients. For me, Blood Cancer United (LLS) has been a key part of my journey over the last 4 years, because of a conference, I made contact with a great specialist that was local (when you have a very rare disease, there are not that many specialists, and they are typically at strong research facilities). BCU has also led me to encounter others with my class of disease - the kind of support and understanding is truly indescribable. (Please support these organizations; even a few dollars can be super meaningful.)

And of course, the pharma companies that take the risk to develop efficacious compounds are heroic in many ways. For me, there are only 3-4 approved compounds to treat symptoms (not a cure, as that is not an option yet), and at least 2 of these have not worked for me. This trial may be the closest we can get, but there are still so many for whom hope is fleeting.

The predosing protocol is quite interesting, especially mainlining benedryl 🥹. It burns going is so they administer slowly - I was asleep before they were done! Great for a several hour sleep.

Start again on Mon evening for pretests, administration on Tues and (assuming all goes well) home Thurs.