Some journeys smack you in the face with a brutal twist right when you think momentum is finally on your side. Last week, I flew out to North Carolina with my mom to meet with the team at Duke University... a trip I genuinely believed could mark the beginning of something life-changing.
The hope was simple: get evaluated for a clinical trial using Botensilimab and Balstilimab, two immunotherapy agents I’ve had my eyes on for a short time now. But the day before the appointment, I got hit with news I honestly didn’t see coming.
Because I’ve previously had systemic chemotherapy, specifically FOLFOX, I’m automatically excluded from the trial. It’s a rule built into the study design.. nothing personal, nothing adjustable, just a hard line.
Still, I’m glad I went. The doctor we met with was thoughtful, sharp, and genuinely caring. And I also got to speak with a colorectal surgeon who offered even more context and insight into where things stand and what might be possible moving forward. Even though the door I wanted didn’t open, it wasn’t a wasted trip.
What it did do was give me clarity, direction, and new fuel.
Right now, I’m actively searching for other clinical trials using the same drugs, Botensilimab and Balstilimab.. especially anywhere on the West Coast. These drugs are some of the most promising ones in the pipeline for patients like me, and I’m not giving up until every possible lead has been checked off the list.
This chapter wasn’t the one I wanted to write, but it’s part of the story. And the story’s not done. I’m still here, still pushing, still hopeful that the right opportunity is out there, and that I’ll be a candidate when it shows up.
