Summer, the favorite word for someone who works in education. The Koll`s and The Colbert`s are definitely summer people. The favorite part of my summer has been the opportunity for me to accompany Kenan to her doctor appointments. We know, we know, it has been far too long since the blog was updated…
So here goes, since the early June posting Kenan had her scans to determine if the clinical trial in Philadelphia with Dr. Sato was working. I understand from Billy and Kenan there was a long process while the doctors read the scans and discussed Kenan’s results. After a long deliberation, Dr. Sato decided the Philadelphia clinical trial was not successful for Kenan. He advised Kenan and Billy to find a new clinical trial. Off to the internet they went and began some research. They took their findings back to Dr. Sato for some input and Kenan and Billy did find a new clinical trial. Locations of the new clinical trial were at Yale University, the city of New York, and Huntersville, NC. I know, Huntersville, NC. Kenan had actually looked at this clinical trial in Huntersville last March before Dr. Sato had offered her a spot in his clinical trial. She went with Dr. Sato first, but now has returned to the Huntersville trial. From Philadelphia Kenan contacted Dr. Powderly in Huntersville and discovered he was just beginning a new clinical trial (similar to the March trial). An appointment for a screening was made with Dr. Powderly.
Before Kenan left Philadelphia, Dr. Sato encouraged Kenan to have an immuno-embolism treatment to her liver before she left. Dr. Gonsalves was very excited to see Kenan and Billy again. She decided since Kenan had tolerated the previous treatments so well and it may be sometime before Kenan would be back, she would treat the entire liver in one setting. Previously, Dr. Gonsalves alternated one side and then the other. Needless to say, the full treatment was a rough experience. Our brave girl made it through with the help of Billy to lean on and help her.
Kenan has since meet with Dr. Powderly and was accepted as the second patient in the Huntersville clinical trial. Amazingly, Dr. Powderly’s location is a five minute drive from our house! Yes, a 5 minute drive. Another good sign is that a fellow UNC pharmacy classmate of Kenan’s Uncle Randy, operates a Compound Pharmacy right beside Dr. Powderly’s office. What are the odds, good we know!!
Kenan is now 22 days into the new clinical trial. She just went today for a follow up visit with Dr. Powderly. She has experienced some flu like symptoms with the new treatments and this has been concerning to us all. Dr. Powderly was very attentive today and gave us some good advice regarding how to keep her comfortable. Kenan travels to Huntersville every week for the first six weeks of the trial and then will return every twenty-one days after the first six weeks. Kenny and I are enjoying seeing our Kenan once a week. It is so nice to have your kids come home again!
The Colbert’s and The Kolls’s are off to Aunt Karen’s for a weekend at Myrtle Beach (Cherry Grove). Kenny and I are looking forward to being with family. Sadly, Jetty will not be able to attend. It has been a few years since we have all been together at the beach. We are looking forward to the dinner at Calabash, a visit to Hamburger Joe’s, long walks on the beach, some additional family pictures, fishing for the men, maybe working a jigsaw puzzle, telling old family stories, and the crash of waves as we read in the sun and sand.
As always, thanks for checking in on us. We appreciate the continued support and prayers. Keep 'em coming!
Sue
