Facing My Options
When I was first diagnosed, there were some new treatments in various stages of clinical trials and a couple under FDA review, but only two options were available which fit my situation. I could opt for standard chemotherapy or enroll in a clinical trial in which I would take 8 rounds of CVP followed by a vaccine if I stayed in remission that long.
At the time, early in 2002, I had to face the facts. Chemotherapy, at best, would slow the disease for periods that varied from patient to patient. Each subsequent relapse would require stronger drugs until eventually no options remained. I could expect to live for 5 to 8 years with the treatments that were then available. That wasn't long enough!
My doctor told me about radioimmunotherapy which was under FDA review and thus unavailable, but he expected it to be approved in the coming months and said it might be an option if chemotherapy failed. It was comforting to have such a forward thinking doctor.
I opted to enroll in the clinical trial.