Vaccine Trial

[schoolteacher]

Will everyone say a pray for me? I am trying to get in a vaccine trial, and all my medical records have been received, and the doctors are suppose to look over them tomorrow.

Thanks,
Amelia

Yes, I Believe.

[Kim in DC]

Amelia,
I am praying for you! I think vaccines are the way of the future.

Kim

[schoolteacher]

Thank you Kim, and God Bless You. I am so anxious about this I can hardly stand it. I am happy, but I know if I find out tomorrow they will not accept me I will be disappointed.

If I am rejected, then I will apply to another trial.

Amelia

[Faith in Him]

Just said a prayer that the doors to the trial will fly open for you. Let us know how you make out.

Tonya

[vickie h]

Amelia, Prayers coming your way. I am sending all my energy to get you into that study. I, too, think vaccines will become a wave of the future. Much love, Vickie

[ElaineM]

I just said a prayer for you. I would cross my fingers too, but if I did I couldn't type. Come and sit awhile by the campfire. Someone is serving some delicious kale soup tonight.

[schoolteacher]

Tonya, Vickie, and Elaine,

Thank you so much. I have just gotten to school, and this starts my door in a very positive way.

God Bless all of you. I hope I know something by this afternoon or Monday.

I love the campfire. All of you will never know how much this board has meant to me in the last year.

At this time last year, I was so frightened and afraid, but God helped me to find all of you!

Amelia

[Lori R]

Amelia,

Another set of last minute prayers coming your way!!!

Of course I certainly agree with your last post about how supportive the everyone on the board is.

But you really provided a powerful message that I will tuck in my basket of positivive thought.

God did direct us to this site. So, in many subtle ways God is with us and takes care of us. Keep that in mind as await for your results. If they are not what you had hoped, there is another path that has been chosen for you and what you need for the journey will be provided along the way. I guess knowing that is what is called Faith.

Wow....didn't mean to wax philisophically so early in the morning.

Thinking of you!!! Lori

[schoolteacher]

Lori,

Thank you for your prayers.

Amelia

[WomanofSteel]

Keeping you in my prayers also.

[Missyw]

Hi Amelia,

My prayers are with you. I participated in the U of Washington vaccine trial Jan. 07 - July 07. I was accepted with like 5 days remaining in my "window of opportunity". I took it as a sign and got on that plane to Seattle. My experience was great each and every time I flew out. (Seven times all together.) I am still NED.... so far so good. If you qualify and you think I can help with any information, just let me know. I realize each trial is unique, but maybe just a hand to hold would help. Let me know if there is anything you need.

Missy

[schoolteacher]

Missy,

Thank you. I will be getting in touch with you about how you did your airfare and your hotel room. I am so anxious today I can hardly sit still.

I have a friend and she will help me with making the arrangements.

Missy, like me you have not posted all the things that have happened during your journey. I was wondering where your BC was besides your breast? Mine was in my L4 of my spine.

Amelia

[Missyw]

Hi Amelia,

It has been quite a journey. I was diagnosed in Jan. of 06. I arrived at Stage IV with liver mets which probably should have been diagnosed at my original staging screenings (Jan. 06); but the mets weren't detected until May. So far no other sites. I have been NED since Aug. of 06. My trial required NED or stable bone mets. If you are going to Seattle I can probably be somewhat helpful. If you are going to another location I could give you the general info. about travel and hotel help, but i may not have the exact contact info. In any event, just let me know if you think i can help. I would be happpy to try.

Missy

[Shobha]

Adding my prayers that you get selected for this trial. God bless.

[schoolteacher]

Thank you Missy and Shobha,

I got an e-mail at lunch that one doctor has signed off agreeing to let me in the trial, and the medical information was placed on the other doctor's desk yesterday afternoon.

So, I am waiting for that doctor to review and sign off. Please let her/him come to the office today. I am so anxious about this.

Amelia

[Missyw]

Hi Amelia,

Will you be pressed for time to get to the vaccine location once you get approval? If so, start researching airfares (provided you need to fly) right now. Continental and Southwest both have programs that allow you a free flight for medical treatment. Although this time of year with fares prretty low, you may want to save the free ones for later. Both programs include plently of hoops to jump through and some red tape, best to get things ready "just in case". Please let me know if you are trying to get in to a program in Seattle. I can help with some hotel info.

Missy

[schoolteacher]

Missy,

Thank you for this information. I did not realize that I might be able to get a free flight.

Amelia

[Jean]

Ameila,
I know how strongly you feel about this and how much you want to be in the vaccine trial.

Will be saying many prayers for you and please let us know as soon as you hear anything.

Best of luck and lots of hugs,
jean

[micheleu]

Amelia, what vaccine trial is it that you are trying to get into? I was in one at Seattle WA through the tumor vaccine group...just wondering

[Joan M]

Amelia,

I'm praying that you'll get into the trial.

Joan

[SuThorn]

Amelia-

I am praying that you will get accepted in the vaccine trial. Let me know which one you are trying to get into. I am currently enrolled in the vaccine trial at UW in Seattle. I went for my second vaccine early this week.

Regards, Suzanne

[schoolteacher]

Michele, Joan, and Suzanne,

Thank you for your replies. I am trying to get in the one in Washington.

Joan, I am glad to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. Please let me know.

Michele,

Please let me know where else your BC was. Are you still taking Herceptin?

Suzanne,

Do you plan on taking Herceptin for an additional year?

Amelia

[SuThorn]

Amelia-

I plan on continuing to take Herceptin as long as it works for me and I plan on that being a VERY long time! I was Stage IV from initial diagnosis, so I have already been taking it for almost a year and a half. Keep us posted on Seattle, maybe our paths will cross.

Regards, Suzanne

[schoolteacher]

Suzanne,

Thank you for letting me know you are still on Herceptin.
I still have not heard from the final doctor. I hope to hear today.

Amelia

[schoolteacher]

I got the e-mail this morning. I am in the trial.

Yeah!

Amelia

[StephN]

That's great news! Glad to have you coming to our Medical Center and hope to be able to meet you as I live only about 20 minutes away. Same for Suthorn next time you are in town.

Since there are more than one vaccine, which one will you be getting?

[schoolteacher]

Steph,

I have contacted the American Cancer Society, and the woman there is sending me information on taxi service from the airport. I may have to come by myself. If you have any suggestions', please let me know. I am looking at flights now. I will probably fly in on the 29, have my appointment on 30, and fly back home on the 31.

Amelia

[Jackie07]

Congratulations! Amelia.

Wishing you a safe trip and successful trial.

[dhealey]

Congratulations Ameila! Wishing you best of luck with the trial and a safe trip.

Debbie in North Carolina

[schoolteacher]

Thank you Jackie and Debbie. I am very excited about participating. Hopefully, at some point with this vaccine I will be able to stop taking Herceptin.

I thank God for letting me go and participating. This time last year I did not even think I would be alive.

Amelia

[Missyw]

Hi Amelia,
I found this contact information re: lodging help in Seattle. It has been two years since I traveled, but hopefully this information is still good. Good Luck!!

Missy

Leslie Rickard
Cancer Resource Call Center Coordinator
American Cancer Society, Great West Division,Inc.
2929 E Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016
t)602.952.7545 fx)602.224.7476
Call Center 866.500.3272
leslie.rickard@cancer.org
If you or loved one needs help or information about cancer, please call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit us online at www.cancer.org available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

[schoolteacher]

Missy,

Thank you for all the help.

Amelia

[Shobha]

Congratulations! I am so happy for you.

[schoolteacher]

Shobha,

Thank you.

Amelia

[Believe51]

Oh my goodness, I missed this post and I am so sorry. Gotta go catch up on the prayers after I finish, whew. Praying that this is the magic potion that my great friend Amelia needs. I am simply thrilled you got accepted in this trial and pray that this is all of what you need. See ya, got prayers to say!>>Believe51

[SuThorn]

Ameila-

Congratulations on getting accepted into the trial. I travel back on February 8th for my next vaccine. Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Regards- Suzanne

[schoolteacher]

Believe,

Thank you for your response. I am very excited about participating.

I pray for the Mighty Oak. Please know that. How is he doing?
How are you doing? It has been cold down here in Georiga, and I actually got to see some snow Monday night. Big Flakes.

Marie, God continues to bless me in so many ways. I know it is him that has gotten me into this trial.

Amelia

[MMM]

Can someone tell me the prerequisites needed to qualify for trial?

[SuThorn]

I know that there are many different vaccine trials going on right now, but the following are the criteria for the peptide based vaccine trial that Amelia and I are doing at UW.

Stage IIIB or Stage IV, HER2+ and on maintenance Herceptin for less than 6 months. You must be NED or stable bone-only disease to be eligible.

Regards- Suzanne

[schoolteacher]

Thanks, Suzanne, for posting the information.

Amelia

[Jean]

Amelia,
You are always in my prayers.

Best Wishes,
Jean

[schoolteacher]

Jean,

Thank you. I am getting more excited as Thursday approaches. I will have my blood work, physical, and vaccine Friday. I will take my Herceptin on February 4. I think the two will work really well together.

You are going to be proud of me. I walked for one hour Sunday.
My students have been getting me to walk 30 minutes almost every day. I have been eating a few apples every day to help meet my eight or nine fruits and vegetable requirement per day. I know they produce some estrogen like effects, but I like the tart taste.

Thank you for all the help you have given me in the last year.

Amelia

[julierene]

Which vaccine trial is this? I am looking into one at UAMS with Linda Hutchins. Here is some info from the letter... I will make a new post with the whole letter for those who are interested.


"Dr. Laura Hutchins, director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology here at UAMS, is principal investigator for the clinical trial. The first phase of the clinical trial will last four to six months. It will involve women with metastatic cancer only, who have relapsed after going into remission. Women participating in the study will receive five doses of the vaccine at the Cancer Institute's Medical Oncology Clinic. They will be immunized once a week for the first three weeks and again during the seventh and 19th weeks. The first phase is to monitor any side effects of the vaccine. "

[schoolteacher]

The trial is at the University of Washington.

Amelia