If--and that's a big IF--the FDA approves the expanded access of T-DM1--now called T-PAS for those in this group--by the end of August, I will be driving maybe 5 miles to receive treatment at the SCCA from Dr. Julie Gralow, an outstanding cancer researcher.
Plus, I KNOW her. I've written stories about her and met her at various events. She is a powerhouse. Anything that is within her control (related to getting the trial up and running) she will do.
So I e-mailed her two days ago. The title: Looks like we'll be working together to extend my life ...
Here's my entire message:
Dr. Gralow: Here's the top story on my blog this morning:
http://assertivecancerpatient.com/2011/08/breaking-news-genentech-comes-through-.html
Dr. Doug Lee said he was going to call your clinical trial coordinator to set up an appt. for me in early September. In the meantime, my gang and I will be lobbying the FDA--starting tomorrow. This news is enough excitement for today!
Jeanne
Dr. Gralow replied yesterday morning (she's very good about getting back to people) and thanked me for sending her the link. Then she said, and I quote:
"It just should not be this hard to get a good drug to people who will benefit."
Feel free to use that quote in your letters to the FDA, and be sure to mention her credentials:
Julie R. Gralow, M.D.
Professor, Medical Oncology
University of Washington
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
825 Eastlake Avenue East G3-630
Seattle, WA 98109
phone: 206-288-7722.
Dr. Gralow teaches at the UW medical school, does research (like this clinical trial), and sees patients at SCCA. She also has made a number of trips to foreign countries, including, if my memory is correct, Russia and China, to help train breast cancer oncologists in those countries.
AND, she is a founder of Team Survivor Northwest, where Monica is the program director. Also of Innervisions, an art project that resulted in several large displays of work and (I believe) a book. I wrote a story about Innervisions and was astonished by the art made by these women--all living with breast cancer or survivors of the disease, I think. Joan Bowman--see link below--a professional artist, was very active in the group.
I wanted to join, but it was pretty defunct by the time I heard about it. The biggest issue the remaining active members faced was what to do with all the artwork stored in a warehouse somewhere. Bummer.
Wanta Come to Seattle?
If you are already enrolled in a Phase II T-DM1 clinical trial, and Seattle would be closer for you than wherever you are getting it now, please get in touch with Dr. Gralow.
If you are shy, e-mail me and I will introduce the two of you via e-mail.
Introducing Dr. Julie Gralow
I wrote this profile of Dr. Gralow but the Marketing Dept. took my name (byline) off after the problems mentioned below.
I wrote this profile of Joan Bowman, a patient of Dr. Gralow's, who survived inflammatory breast cancer.
Meet Joan Bowman
The SCCA took my byline off all the stories I had written for them over several years after I made HIPAA complaints against two of their employees. The head of SCCA refused to take these seriously. Also, after my HIPAA complaint, they stopped giving me work.
I'll tell the story of the HIPAA complaint another time, I'm too busy lobbying the FDA right now, and also working on my documentary, which will be part of our FDA-lobbying effort.
More on the doc in a day or two.
OK. E-mail me if you want to talk about coming to Seattle for treatment or want an introduction to Dr. Gralow.
@ Jeanne Sather 2011.
Comments