No magic bullet

So we got the second opinion today and nothing earth shattering. I am somewhat relieved that he basically said the same thing my own oncologist said, but also vaguely disappointed that he didn't have any secret tricks up his sleeve. He said Dr. Sedlacek's plan was a reasonable approach. He has some other meds that he seemed to like better, but he wasn't very convincing so I need to do some research on those. They all start with E's and have very complicated names! He said the BK120 clinical trial made sense. (Bruce has since renamed the BK drug the "Burger King drug"--leave it to my hubby to lighten the mood :) ) Dr. Elias is the principal investigator of his own clinical study that is looking at androgen receptors. Turns out androgen receptors are involved in prostate cancer and I guess there is a link or some serious theorizing going on the androgen receptors might be involved in breast cancer too. Currently they test for estrogen (for which I am positive), progesterone (for which I am negative) and Her2Nu (a growth factor receptor for which I am negative). They don't test for the androgen receptors since their role in BC is all very new. He thinks I am a good candidate for his study too. If things get worse, that's when we "throw the book at it" and look at more chemo, rads, etc. I'd rather throw the book at it now, but that doesn't seem to be the approach to take, or make a huge difference he said. Better to try to manage it with the drugs we haven't tried yet. Less side effects and less trauma to my body. I guess it makes sense. Like if I had a small heart attack that they could fix with a stent, they wouldn't be rushing in to do a quadruple by-pass. I just want to find the med that will stabilize me!

Apparently all of these options are open to me, at any time, in any order. I can try something, if it doesn't work I can try something else. I have the "luxury" of time. Let me tell ya tho, it doesn't feel very luxurious. I'd rather have the luxury of no worries and a clean bill of health, or at least a spa day! The hardest part of this for me seems to be the fact that we are no longer on the "get rid of it" path but on the "let's manage it" path. Still not a bad path to be on, but it's hard to let go of the hope of being cancer-free. And you know what? I might just not let go. Who's to say? If they can find the drug that will maintain me for several years, who's to say they might not have something even better down the road?

On a side note....it feels a little weird to have doctors pitching clinical trials at me. Take my drug....no take my drug. Although Sedlacek isn't an actual investigator, he's just working with the researchers by allowing access to his patients and following the protocol. But still...feels kind of like when I'd go to a new dentist and see visions of a new boat in his eyes! But I guess it's good to be wanted!

Many thanks to you all for your positive thoughts, support, and well wishes. You may not feel like you are helping but you are! Now....let's think about something more pressing....I gotta get going on my Christmas shopping! Savor each day, it's all you can do :)