My TILs Army is in TRAINING and I am on my way to lymphodepletion!!!!

The last few weeks have just flown by!!!  Come on 2021 - the world is ready to be done with 2020!!!

My cool ab-surgery pillow

Update on 11/23 surgery:  The surgery to remove tumor was a success!!  The surgeon was able to remove tumor that was not located close to my GI tract so there was less risk of contamination.  My incision (same place as the last two abdominal surgeries) has been healing nicely with just a little bruising.  I was able to return from work on 11/30 (working from home) and have been keeping busy with tying up all the loose ends in preparation for me being off work for the next 6 weeks.

Current State of Play with the TILs Study

I had my follow-up (check-in) appointment with my study team on Monday 12/7.  Labs were all looking good, my recovery from surgery was sufficient, and I was deemed suitable to move forward with the trial and the planned hospital admission.  

My TILs Army

Later that day the study team received word from the biotech company confirming that the TILs were growing appropriately!!!  YAY - my little TILs army is being recruited and is in basic training in California!!! 

The last hoop to jump through was my COVID test - which I had on 12/10 - and am happy to report it was NEGATIVE :)  After the 5 COVID tests I've had (most for procedures and surgeries) I feel as thought I am a COVID test pro!!  The nurse doing my last test agreed 😁. 

Study team snuck me a tree :) 

On Monday (12/14) I was admitted to the James for my two week admission.  For that first day I just settled in to my room, unpacked all my personal items, had some labs drawn, and IV fluids started.  On Tuesday (12/15) morning I got my PICC line placed.  I need this line, in addition to my port, since the cell infusion can't be infused through my port.  By 10:30am on Tuesday I was receiving my first dose of chemo - Cyclophosphamide.  I received my second dose of Cyclophosphamide on Wednesday (12/16) without any issues.  The only real downside initially was the fact that I received lots and lots of IV fluids and had to go to the bathroom every 2 hours (around the clock) to make sure I was emptying my bladder (decreasing the risk of chemo induced bladder inflammation).  On Thursday (12/17) I received my first dose of Fludarabine and really started to struggle with nausea and an aversion to all food.  However, by Friday (12/18) afternoon I was starting to feel better and have been able to re-establish my relationship with food :)  Earlier today I received the 3rd dose of Fludarabine with no issues.  The plan is for me to receive a total of 5 doses of fludarabine (depending on my cell counts and status) and to receive the TILs infusion on Tuesday 12/22 (TILs army will be called to duty)!!!

All the notes and cards!!

Overall I am hanging in there but the no visitor rule is really hard.  Nathan had to drop me off outside of the hospital on Monday 12/14 and I have been limited to phone and video calls with friends and family.

Thank you all again for the kind notes, prayers, calls, texts, vibes!!!  I couldn't do this without you guys!!! 💙💚💜🧡