FRIDAYS WITH FRED: CLINICAL TRIALS
After 12 days with my new Medical Trial by UCLA, I now more fully understand why it is called a Clinical Trial. It is because the prescribed drug is on trial. To receive the final FDA approval, a drug must go through rigorously monitored trials. My UCLA Clinical Trial is in phase 2. The jury is out.
To my surprise, I have discovered there is another entente to the Clinical Trial. Not only is the drug on trial, so is the patient. As a patient, I am facing two questions:
- Is the drug worthy of the final FDA approval?
- Am I sufficiently tough mentally to complete the Clinical Trial?
Considering these clinical trials, I can relate to a statement in the movie A Knight’s Tale, viewed by Susie and myself. This movie was based on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Adhemar said: “You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting.” Ironically, this statement was first in the Bible (Psalm 62:9, Isaiah 40:15, Daniel 5:27).
Or… I can relate to the English proverb: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) at Duke preached this to his players, and they have lived it on the basketball court. When a situation becomes difficult, strong people are able to step up and handle the difficult situation.
I have witnessed hundreds of brave cancer heroes who have had a no-quit attitude, despite Clinical Trials’ tendency to suck the life out of a person. For me, I realize I must commit my no-quit attitude with these Clinical Trials. I need to put on my best-game shoes today, get out my big-boy sword, and resolve to win the moment so I can win the day.
