Tough Decisions!

As many know, I am fighting cancer and am now stuck in a bit of a tight spot. I tried to qualify for a clinical trial back east, but my HLA blood typing test (tissue typing) came back as the wrong one for the trial or any of their trials for that matter. I haven't posted anything for a while, because I myself have been waiting to figure out what I am going to do next.
Yesterday I met with Dr. Akereley at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He gave me a few options.

The first being the most effective is the High Dose of Interlukin II, which would add about 5 years onto my life. This would include a week in the ICU in the hospital, a week out, another week in, four weeks out, and another week in. They inject foreign genes into my body that are supposed to fight off the cancer. In doing this, most of my major body organs would be almost shut down for that whole week and then after a few days I would be pretty much back to normal. Then obviously do it 2 more times. Sounds really grueling and out of a scale of 1-4, 4 being the worst side effects possible, my doctor gave it a 4+!

Second he gave me the option of Biochemotherapy. This would include a lower dose of the Interlukin II, Interferon, and a pill (I can't read his handwriting-not sure what the drug is called. Starts with a Tem-something). This would add about 4-5 years and the side effects are rated a 3+. This would entail being in the hospital for the first week, 2nd week would be 3 self injections at home, and have weeks 3 & 4 off. I would repeat this hopefully if tolerable, the rest of my life. He said most patients last 4-6 months and take a break from the side effects and start up again.

Third is something called DTIC (an IV given every 3 weeks) and the same pill I couldn't read his handwriting as before. This would add one year and side effects are a 1+.

Fourth is a clinical trial that would go one of two ways. The computer randomly picks which one you get. Arm one includes taking pills at home. Arm two includes taking one pill at home and a weekly IV. The side effects aren't rated as this is a clinical trial and also the years of life added are unknown. Looking throught the side effects it sounds really similar to the side effects of chemo. Not fun. The drugs in this study are ones they are already using for kidney cancer and leukemia. They are studying this as a secondary cure for melanoma since all three cancers are similar in that they are immune system cancers. The only way I would be able to do this trial is if I do it before any of the other three options. Otherwise I will NEVER be able to do it. The risks seem high and I am still not sure if I would do this first or not at all.

So as you see my decision is a tough one. I am getting a CT scan tomorrow at Huntsman to look at the tumor on my rib to see if it is measurable (big enough for them to see if it shrinks with treatment) for the clinical trial. The only other tumor I had was on my neck and suddenly disappeared! Yay.
I was told yesterday that now that my cancer is moving in my bloodstream it decreases my chances for survival. So I need to act fast on one of these. I have two weeks to decide what I am going to do. Prayers would help!

The reason for this post is to be informal for all those who keep asking what I am going to do next. As you can see this will not be easy. I know there will be a lot of opinions and questions. You can email me any concerns you have. I love you all! Thanks for all of your prayers and putting my name in the temple. All of your support has made all the difference in the world.