Mexico City, Third Time is a Charm!

We were thrilled to be home, for few days at least, and get to spend Thanksgiving with the family. We left Vienna following 9 weeks of immunotherapy. The latest petscan (taken upon our return from Vienna) showed improvement, and the tumor markers are down by 30%. The scan along with the tumor marker trend validated the treatment.

There is a clear need for additional treatment. We are now in Mexico City undergoing another multi intra-tumoral injection with Dr. Williams (The Williams Cancer Institute) and are we are planning to return to Vienna for six weeks of treatment in January. The idea is to keep the immune system engaged to maximize tumor cell death. We are also using Coley’s toxins that are available in Mexico in between the Intra-Tumoral injections and the Vienna treatment. We had a series of 3 injections prior to our leaving to Mexico City and Layla had a great response. Coley’s toxins is the first form of immunotherapy from the late 1800’s invented by Dr. William Coley. Here is a link with some history on "the father of immunotherapy" . https://www.mskcc.org/blog/immunotherapy-revolutionizing-cancer-treatment-1891

The idea is to induce a fever through Coley's injections that create an inflammatory response and activate the immune system. We are very proud of Layla's fevers. 
We are keeping our foot on the gas and pushing for Layla to remain in active treatment till we are comfortable with the progress. Layla has been a model patient. Her treatment is basically having the flu most of the time. We highly believe in our dream team of doctors: Dr. Ralf Kleef in Vienna, Dr. Mark Rosenberg in Boca Raton, Fl, and Dr. Jason Williams of the Williams Cancer Institute in Atlanta. Their individual treatments have been instrumental in Layla’s overall success. Let’s not forget about our honorary doctor, Nina Ali-Ahmad (the architect of this treatment) who has poured all of her energy and research into having a plan, ensuring its execution and modifying it as needed.
A lot of you have reached out inquiring whether the PlumFund we set up for Layla is still open. The initial plum fund is closed but Nathalie, Layla's cousin, has just started another fund using GoFundme. I am including the link in this update. Your generosity has been humbling and instrumental to our success.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-medical-fund-for-layla-aliahmad?member=3303780&utm_source=twilio&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=contacts-v2-invite-to-donate

Chloe, our Therapy Dog

With Beautiful Petra, Dr. Kleef's Coordinator- Goodbyes are always hard!

With Tino, Layla's Amazing Nurse at Dr. Kleef

Local Hyperthermia during Coley's Treatment , Mexico

Layla's Shivering (Coley's induced fever)

Removing blankets following Fever Induced by Coley

Relaxing with Dad

Chloe Loving Mexico

Thanksgiving with the Family

Enjoying the Holiday with the Cousins

in Mexico City for Intra-Tumoral Injection

Under the Watchful Eye of Nina

With Dr. Williams, in Mexico City