“[My hematologist] told me that a new medication was launched in the United States that hadn’t been available in Europe or Greece, and that he would like me to participate [in the clinical trial]. He gave me the protocol, I read it, I asked around, my son asked around [about it as well] (…) It didn’t have any side effects. Anyways, I was feeling psychologically well. I thought “I’ll be fine with this drug”. It required a few more visits because I had to stay in the hospital for one or two days every time they changed the dose in order to undertake regular blood tests. Because the drug companies who offer this medicine to you want to see the results”. (Johanna)

“When my lab results got worse, she told me about a new chemotherapy. I was the first one who did it in that hospital. I decided to participate because she made me realize that I shouldn’t be afraid. At first, I looked it up, I went to other hematologists and some of them told me: “Don’t do this, since it’s not something tested, don’t do it, go through the old process”. But after discussing it further I was convinced, because I really trust my hematologist, I was convinced and did it. We agreed to do 12 chemotherapies, but after 9, she told me we have the desired result. She told me that I didn’t need to do more therapies and since then I am under active monitoring every three months. (Elisabeth)