The big reveal...

Before I head off to bed I thought I'd post an update.

Today was the big reveal.  Actually, when Reid checked his MD Anderson schedule online this morning he saw where he had a blood draw, doctor's appointment and an infusion for SGN-35 (Brentuximab Vedotin) listed for today.  We knew that SGN-35 (Brentuximab Vedotin) was Adcetris and that had to mean that he had been given the placebo in the trial.  Of course, when we got down there the doctor also told him.

He had the infusion and so far he's feeling fine.  In the past when he received chemo he was sometimes sick on the drive home, but Adcetris doesn't have as many side effects as other treatments.  Hopefully, that will last or at least any side effects won't be as bad as in the past.

Adcetris received accelerated approval from the FDA last summer because of promising results.  Approximately 34% of patients went into complete remission and 75% had positive results during one of the studies. I believe it's actually the first new drug for Hodgkin's since the 1970's.  It's a rare cancer with normally a high cure rate, so not much research is done. I'm grateful that Adcetris has become available at this time. My hope and prayer is that Reid goes into remission.  We're due for some good news one of these days.

He goes back now every 21 days for an infusion...just like he did for the clinical trial.  I believe there can be as many as 16 infusions, but there might be less.