Gordon believes that without clinical trials he would not be here today. Gordon is a current patient on a GI Cancer Institute trial and his incredibly inspiring story teaches an important lesson in staying hopeful.
Gordon was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Carcinoma in November 2017 after a biopsy was taken of a hard lump found on his body. Over the next couple of years, he underwent the standard treatments of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, including an operation to remove his lymph glands.
In June 2020 he was diagnosed with lymphoedema, causing Gordon a great deal of pain and forcing him to often use a walker, Canadian crutch or walking stick to stay mobile. To continue to fund his treatment however, Gordon worked as much as he could and took minimal leave. He worked until his health and wellbeing became critical in September 2020.
Standard treatment wasn’t working for Gordon so after discussions with his oncology team, he was accepted into The Garvan Institute’s Molecular Screening and Therapeutics (MoST) Program. The MoST Program gave his medical team clarity about how to move forward, which ultimately led to the application for participation in the GI Cancer Institute’s NABNEC clinical trial.
NABNEC is a randomised phase II trial of patients with grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). It aims to determine the safety and efficacy of carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel in comparison with carboplatin plus etoposide.
Dr Lorraine Chantrill, Head of Department Medical Oncology of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District, and Chair of AGITG and GI Cancer Institute, became Gordon’s new oncologist, quickly accepting his patriation on the NABNEC trial.
“My immediate feeling with Dr Chantrill was she is proactive, sincere and is here to help me. Her upbeat character made me feel like there was hope,” Gordon said.
This new clinical trial came at just the right time for Gordon, as he reflects “I was in a dark place at the time because if something didn’t change, the cancer would get to a point where there was no helping me.”
“I was overjoyed when I was accepted for the clinical trial. I knew from my first treatment that the medical team was sensitive to my needs. I could also appreciate how talented and confident the nurses need to be. If challenges arise, staff remain professional, polite, cheerful and demonstrate patience.”
Gordon seems to be making positive progress so far on the NABNEC trial. Within days of receiving his first treatment, he was appreciative of the less intrusive nature of this trial and remarks on the vast improvements it has made in his health from day one and continues to do well into his fifth cycle.
“The cancer had spread to various parts of my body in a short period of time, but after cycle five things are looking pretty good. As early as cycle one I was in a better position to stand and by cycle 4 I could stand straight again. The lymphoedema therapy is also continuing and improving as I sit and sleep far more easily.”
An advocate of clinical trials, Gordon imparts this advice on those considering becoming clinical trial patients.
“Discuss with family, friends and any other significant people in your life and keep focus on what your goals are. Make sure you have established a support group and maintain a genuinely good relationship with everyone involved in your care. I would say though that standard treatment gave me the opportunity to stay alive long enough until a suitable clinical trial arose.”
Clinical trials do not just save lives. They give hope to people that have otherwise come to the end of their road. Although Gordon is still in the process of treatment, he hopes other people with cancer can feel the sense of hope that treatment has given him.
“I have no doubt that had I not participated in the trial, I would have lost my life. I am so grateful to everyone working on the clinical trial for being so helpful and thoughtful. I would also like to thank supporters of the trial, because without their support, bottom line is many people would not be with us today.”