Pete "Chio" Alvarez

Happy new year

2008-12-31T21:53:00.002-07:00

Well it's been a long couple months and my trial treatment at u.of.a has finished.
My scans came back and there was no improvement.I am not sure if I received the sta4783
or not.This trial was a blinded study.I have Dr. appointments to discuss my options next week.
I do feel healthy right now and I am ready to try another treatment.I'll let you know what I do.And
I am glad to be alive to fight another day.Chio

Thanksgiving

2008-11-17T19:53:00.003-07:00

Hello,
I have been a busy guy driving back and forth from Tucson. Treatment has been going smooth,
with no complications so far. My half way point of this trial is this week. M.r.i and c.a.t scan test will be
performed in a month from now. These results will determine my future treatment options.
I am hopeful and in good spirit right now. I am very thankful for being accepted for this trial
and thankful for my current good health.So far so good,Thank God.
Tell your family you love them , Happy Thanksgiving Chio.

Update

2008-10-30T21:01:00.003-07:00

Hello ,I know it has been a while but it took this long to get some answers. Three visits to
Tucson and the U.of.A Cancer Center has accepted me for a trial of a new chemo drug called
STD4783 mixed with Taxol. This trial is in it's 3rd phase and the statistics look very good.
Dr. Hersh and his team are very optimistic of this new drug.

For those of you who are not familiar with a clinical trial. Drug companies have to go through
3 or 4 phases of testing on a number of people before they can receive FDA approval.
For example, phase 1, 6 people, phase 2, 100 people, phase 4, 1000 people ,phase 5 so on.
Half the people get a placebo and half get the drug. The results get tallied and the drug
is FDA approved or not.

This new drug in conjunction with taxol has shown to be very effective on melenoma.
I am very lucky to be accepted, now I am praying I get the goods and my body will be
cleansed of this cancer. I am supposed to start treatment in Tucson next week.
I'll let you know as I know.

back from Tuscon

2008-10-01T14:28:00.002-07:00

Well I talked to Dr Hearsh And He recommended A p.e.t scan of my abdominal area before he can set up a treatment.
My p.e.t scan is set up for this Friday.I hope they do not find anything. I have a appointment with my oncologist the following Wed for the results.We will discuss treatments when I have the results .Bye for now talk to you next week

Cat Scan

2008-09-24T13:34:00.003-07:00

Hello, well I just got some really great news today. The cat scan of my chest and torso came back clean. So thank God for that! Now Monday the 29,08 I am seeing Dr. Hearsh at U.of.A to discuss
treatment options. Talk to you soon.

First hospital visit

2008-09-21T19:56:00.003-07:00

Went to the hospital for stomach pain on the 12th and the doctors discovered a tumor in my intestine. Pathology showed that it was Melanoma. Got home on the 19th, I have been resting and feeling better. I'm scheduled to see Dr. Hearsh in Tuscon in two weeks to discuss a course of treatment. I will be trying to post things as quickly as possible to keep everybody informed.