Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Cancer Update
I apologize for not updating my condition for a while.
Where to start?
In February of this year my CT scan came back with bad news. A new cancer had invaded the left side of my liver. After a biopsy that was nightmare to get done. We still do not know what type of cancer this new villain is. But we do know that it is very aggressive. A subsequent CT scan analysis used words like "exploding". This was a complete surprise as I was feeling fine and hiking and walking frequently. I was quite depressed for several days.
Later, much later than it should have been, we met with a college of my doctor who suggested that I start a new chemotherapy right away at least to stop the growth and possibly shrink the cancer. Because of screw up of the staff at my oncologists office it was three weeks before we started on the new drug.
I also met with a surgeon who specializes in liver issues. He said that the cancer had grown too much to even do a transplant but if I can come to him a few months earlier maybe he could have helped. This made me angry with the delays in my treatment.
The new drug, irinotecan, is a pretty severe drug with diarrhea as its major side effect. One of the nurses said some people say "I run to the can". I have to do four infusions in four weeks and the two weeks off and another four rounds before we do another CT scan to see if it helped. So to start they gave me preparatory infusion and a shot to hold off the diarrhea. And they were not kidding. Over the last three infusions the diarrhea has kicked me to the curb. My fourth infusion was cancelled in order to give me fluids and to alleviate some severe pain I was having.
I want to think all those who have supported me in the trial and especially my wife who has been by my side every day and night.
Where to start?
In February of this year my CT scan came back with bad news. A new cancer had invaded the left side of my liver. After a biopsy that was nightmare to get done. We still do not know what type of cancer this new villain is. But we do know that it is very aggressive. A subsequent CT scan analysis used words like "exploding". This was a complete surprise as I was feeling fine and hiking and walking frequently. I was quite depressed for several days.
Later, much later than it should have been, we met with a college of my doctor who suggested that I start a new chemotherapy right away at least to stop the growth and possibly shrink the cancer. Because of screw up of the staff at my oncologists office it was three weeks before we started on the new drug.
I also met with a surgeon who specializes in liver issues. He said that the cancer had grown too much to even do a transplant but if I can come to him a few months earlier maybe he could have helped. This made me angry with the delays in my treatment.
The new drug, irinotecan, is a pretty severe drug with diarrhea as its major side effect. One of the nurses said some people say "I run to the can". I have to do four infusions in four weeks and the two weeks off and another four rounds before we do another CT scan to see if it helped. So to start they gave me preparatory infusion and a shot to hold off the diarrhea. And they were not kidding. Over the last three infusions the diarrhea has kicked me to the curb. My fourth infusion was cancelled in order to give me fluids and to alleviate some severe pain I was having.
I want to think all those who have supported me in the trial and especially my wife who has been by my side every day and night.
Monday, May 20, 2019
Friday, May 17, 2019
Thursday, May 16, 2019
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