Update below from Ryan:

Chemo #43 ✅

We are at the end of what has been a busy week. On Monday, Brooke and I went up to Mayo Clinic to have bloodwork and a CT scan. On Tuesday, we saw my oncologist there to discuss the results and next steps. My CA-19 came back right around the 200's like it did here at UIHC. This is great that my body is responding to the current chemo regimen of gemcitabine & abraxane. The doctor was pleased with this news and gave input for a short-term plan that we hope to implement in the next few months.

The big piece of the plan is to determine what to do for maintenance. Since the maintenance pill didn’t work this past fall, we have to get a bit more creative. At this time, I have begun working out the logistics to go into a clinical trial. This clinical trial we are looking at is being done in New York City at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I saw the doctor involved in the trial last May 2023. We have been in contact with them already and they’re reviewing information to see if I qualify (based on preliminary info, it seems that I do.) This clinical trial is based around receiving extremely high doses of chemotherapy that are designed to attack my cancer and my bone marrow. To help combat the side effects of this potent chemo on my body, I would also get a double Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) transplant with my own HCT. This is a pretty big deal. I will basically not have an immune system and have to be extremely cautious to not get an infection for a year post transplant. Brooke and I will have to move to NYC for about 4-5 months while we are doing this initial piece of the trial.

Why are we considering uprooting our family's lives for about 4-5 months? It's because I am tired. I am tired of having to continually fight cancer without getting much of a chance to breathe from treatment. I have gotten worn down with all of the chemo treatments that I have had. The cancer has continued to return, so while treatments have been effective initially, the cancer adapts and returns. If there is an option where I do not have to do any maintenance for an extended period of time, we feel like we have to try it.

I am blessed to still be alive and fighting because I know so many that haven't gotten the chances and opportunities that I have. I am coming up on the 3rd anniversary of my diagnosis- wow!!

I will keep you all updated when I am officially in the trial with specific timing and logistics of it all. This will be a big undertaking for all of us. Side note- if anyone knows someone in NYC that has a place close to Memorial Sloan Kettering, please let us know.

Thank you for your continued support and gratitude!