Clinical Mistrial

Today we were dropped from the Duke clinical trial.

Last Friday [April 4] we drove to Duke for a full brain and spine MRI and spinal tap. These are routine tests to benchmark the end of the "induction" phase of the trial and the beginning of the "consolidation" phase. The spinal tap showed no cancer cells in the spinal fluid, but there was some disagreement over the MRI. The analysis of the radiologist found that, while the larger tumor in the front ventricle appeared stable, the two smaller tumors in the rear ventricles appeared to have grown slightly. Dr G and his associate Dr. S both argued that the small growth could be attributed to slight variations in the location of the section view, but the head of radiology concurred with the first radiologist's report and, ultimately, any report of growth disqualifies us from the trial. While D. G conceded the presence of growth, he nonetheless said that if it wasn't a trial protocol he would have continued treatment a while longer. Given the strict requirements of the trial, however, we had no choice.

We now are examining Plan "J" (...or is it Plan "K"?). Stay tuned.

Henry, as always, is the picture of grace and composure.