I am cautiously optimistic.  I admit I was very excited when I came across this press release that was posted to The Lung Transplant Foundation‘s Facebook page.  As usual, I try to temper my excitement with the reality we won’t know what’s possible for awhile or if this is just a step in the right direction.

I realize the drug is only in Phase II trials now, but it does show promise. 

The ability to prevent rejection could significantly improve lung transplant outcomes. It will be very interesting to see whether this drug will do just that, & how it’s tolerated.

Having seen some success & failures in treatments in rare disease,  I’m always pragmatic, but this is yet another reason why I’m glad I am facing this transplant now versus 5 years ago.

The advancements are coming, many significant ones.  I’m glad to see inroads with drugs that manage post transplant complications like this.

When I first started Rapamune in 2009,  it was just entering this phase.  No one knew if it would really work then, data was just starting to show positive momentum.   Yet, it was the life preserver I had at the time.  I grabbed on to it.  I take calculated risks after weighing all scenarios & options. It’s just how I am.  I didn’t qualify for a trial, so I took my treatment off-label under close supervision.

It wasn’t a miracle, it was luck that my risk paid off. I enjoyed 5 years of relative stability.

While I may be hesitant to double down right away,  I am a gambler by nature.

I’m hoping this drug trial tips in all candidates & recipients favor.  I’m willing to wager it just might.