**UPDATE** 1/14/2024. Amy did Chemo in July. It put her in the hospital for 5 days. At that point, the Dr suggested in this order. 1.) She stick to DCA and see how it works. 2.) Stop Bendamustine but do Remdesivir only (previous it was a combination of both chemo drugs), or 3.) Increase the nausea meds and do B&R chemo in 30 days from last chemo.
She chose DCA, she did a scan in August, they shrunk a little more, and the Dr took chemo off the table because her tumors were stable/shrinking. Last Scan Dec 17th. There were a number of really small tumors (<1cm in size) never mentioned previously (we didn't know), they are gone now. The smallest of the 3 big tumors (listed below in latest update) is now completely gone.
Now eradicated, previous 2.2 x 1.4 cm, previous to that 4.6 x 2.7 cm
Now 2.8 x 1.8, previous 4.7 x 2.7 cm, previous 5.9 x 4.6 cm
Now 2.2x1.3, previous 2.9 x 1.7 cm, previous 4.0 x 2.9 cm
They didn't shrink as much as we thought, we were hoping they would be gone. She will continue the DCA and do another scan in June.
**END UPDATE**
**Previous UPDATE** We actually viewed the ct scan results today. The Dr understated how much the tumors shrunk, by a lot! He said 1 cm, but it was much more. In terms of percentage, the 3 tumors shrunk 75%, 53% and 58%. Although Amy started chemo today, I have some questions for the Doctor and why he thought/thinks Chemo is a better option than DCA alone.
Now 2.2 x 1.4 cm, previous 4.6 x 2.7 cm 75% reduction
Now 4.7 x 2.7 cm, previous 5.9 x 4.6 cm 53% reduction
Now 2.9 x 1.7 cm, previous 4.0 x 2.9 cm 58% reduction
**END UPDATE**
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Dichloracetate(DCA), a known cancer treatment, with no major side effects. It is NOT FDA approved, so Doctors cannot prescribe it in the traditional way. Amy has been taking half of the recommended dose for her size (500mg as opposed to 1000mg recommended). The 2nd opinion Dr at Moffit Cancer Center did some research on it and was intrigued (our local Dr wouldn't even look it up). The Moffit Dr ordered a CT Scan, and much to his surprise, her tumors (6, 4.4 and 4cm) all shrunk by 1cm in 47 days with taking nothing but DCA. Technically Amy could continue this path (and bump up to recommended dosage), based on ratio's, the cancer should be gone in 3 months without chemo. The Dr however cannot recommend it, so Amy will go through chemo starting tomorrow.
I cannot ethically tell you to take DCA instead of traditional chemo, even my wife won't do it, but there are plenty of observational studies where people did, and succeeded. For those that have no option, or are in the cancer trials, this is certainly something you should look into.
I wanted to pass this info on so that you can benefit from what we learned just today. Nobody owns this drug, it belongs to the world. #CANCERSUCKS #DoYourResearch
Here are a few links for research..
