FOXNews.com: A new challenge

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A new challenge Jun 21st 2012, 13:37 Noreen has asked me to write for her today.  Four weeks ago, Dr. Glaspy shared the wonderful news that Abraxane had produced amazing results with her liver tumors. After three months of treatment, this chemo drug had cut her liver metastases by 75 percent. Tears of joy were shared by all. The plan was to blast the cancer with another four Abraxane treatments, with the hope that Noreen could gain a break from chemo for four months or even up to a year.   With this goal in mind, Noreen completed the final series of Abraxane last week, always battling tremendous side effects: paralyzing bone pain, headaches, and the mouth sores, which made their return.  What was unusual this time was the side effects lasted an entire week. Tests were scheduled, including a brain scan, to determine the effectiveness of the chemo. The results shocked Noreen to her core. The cancer has, in fact, advanced, the tumors in her liver are now more extensive than before she began chemotherapy.  Yet, her brain is clear of cancer, for which she is grateful. The bottom line is, we will try a new chemo --- Eribulin.  It is a promising new FDA-approved drug with potential to help many women battling metastatic disease.  Eribulin targets the DNA at a cellular level, disrupting cell division and preventing tumor growth.  It has fewer side effects, and the infusion takes minutes rather than hours. As her husband I feel trapped – unable to really do anything to help her.  But my wife is as incredibly strong as she is devastated.  I am often asked from where Noreen pulls her strength.   She gains much of it from her amazing network of loving friends and family.  She also receives strength from those of you who read and respond to these blogs.   Noreen, thank you for your loving support and your promise to take on this new challenge and continue to fight. There is no giving in for Noreen Fraser. Her determination to overcome this horrific disease knows no bounds. I love you, Noreen!  You will prevail, and I will be by your side always. Noreen Fraser is living with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. She is co-founder of STAND UP TO CANCER and co-produced the TV show, which raised 100 million dollars for cancer research.  Noreen went on to create the Noreen Fraser Foundation to raise money and awareness for women's cancer research. The 'Men for Women Now' program enlists men to ask the women they love to make appointments for their mammogram and pap smear.  Noreen can be reached at noreen@noreenfraserfoundation.org and followed on Twitter @noreenfraser.

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