In the cephalon trial, we were told that it would NOT affect our symptoms. It would not make us feel better. But clearly no hope for symptomatic relief.

My hope lay in the possibiity that the drug would slow or stop the progression of the disease. It didn't, of course.

So i was able to separate the two - to have no hope or expectation for symptomatic relief - but an ever present hope for a slowed disease progression.

i could never have left hope 'at the door.' For me, HOPE is what clinical trials are all about!