In the news

Good piece of news today: the IV chemotherapy that CBRD (Clifford the Big Red Dog, of course) has been taking for the last five months was recommended, unanimously, by a U.S. Panel for accelerated approval to market for patients with Glioblastoma.

Now, you may be asking, how is he taking it before it has been approved? Due to the elevated stage of his cancer, his quarterback at UCLA was able to bypass the clinical trials (that led to the U.S. Panel's findings) and just start using it from the get go - think of it as a fortunate head start.

The article quotes an Avastin patient who was diagnosed over three years ago. Based on the current data, three years is a long time. But these are only the short-term findings. Lets hope this same patient is being quoted when the long-term findings are being reported in 2014.

Update: In his own words....

Yesterday, CBRD (Clifford the Big Red Dog, aka Dad, Pop) had his second BIG check-up (MRI, scans, etc.) since being diagnosed with brain cancer. Rather than give you the update, I thought I would just copy and paste an email some of us received from him.

Cliff: Had MRI today - so far, so good ....‏

Jan 7th: Results from this MRI performed 8 weeks ago didn't show evidence of any tumor growth. This suggested that the radiation and chemo had a positive effect and actually reduced the tumors.

March 4th - today's MRI: Results unchanged from that of 8 weeks ago. Bottom line: This is a good result and what we want to maintain.

I will continue on current therapy.

I get IV Avastin every 2 weeks to limit blood supply to tumor - supposed to limit tumor growth.

I take Temodar 5 days on / 23 days off as my chemotherapy. 2 cycles.

My lab tests are fine. I am still taking the insulin but hopefully will get off that in a few weeks as I taper the prednisone.

April 27th: Next MRI is at end April (after next 2 cycles of Temodar). Basically, I am on a 2 month treatment cycle to monitor response to therapy.

Love to all.

Cliff