Alice Gets Her Second Wind Going on Clinical Programme

For Madam Alice life’s journey couldn’t be bleaker when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Worse, she underwent six months of chemotherapy but it didn’t help. Alice, who is 59 years old, wasn’t responding to the treatment. Her cancerous tumour continued to grow. She still had chest pains, her cough persisted and so too her shortness of breath. That was in April 2004.

Undaunted by her predicament, she accepted the offer to take part in a clinical project. It was, she felt, probably her best chance. Alice went on a clinical programme where she was given special drugs, while doctors closely monitored her progress.

To her surprise, she said: “I saw my tumour gradually shrinking after going on the programme.” Apart from mild rashes, a side-effect of taking the medication, she suffered no other symptoms, not even hair loss.

Two months into the programme, Alice is able to talk about her recovery. “I cough a little, but otherwise I feel much better and am less breathless. I sleep better and am leading a normal life,” said Alice. The added bonus is that Alice needn’t pay for her medication, which otherwise would have cost her at least $3000 a month.

Today, Alice is still on the clinical programme and will remain for as long as she is responding to the treatment.

“More people should come forward and take part in these clinical projects. Only through our participation can we not only help ourselves, but also do something for others who can benefit from our experiences,” said Alice.

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