As of the last Blog posting, we've had some new developments. (But, hopefully, no more in any bodily organs!) The November scans showed three liver lesions, two of which had re-activated, and one was possibly brand new, or maybe just a really faded one that sparked up again. Since that indicates that the cancer has mutated and become resistant to the chemo drugs (rats!), Dr. Kenyon recommended a new chemo regime, possibly beginning tomorrow, Dec. 2nd. This would include continuing the Zometa once per month (a bone reinforcement and cancer killing drug, which has few side effects, etc.), and adding Avastin. This is technically not a chemo drug, but helps stop angiogenesis, which is the development of blood vessels that feed the tumor. Avastin helps to starve the tumor, and not give the body resources to grow new tumors. Again, not many side effects, and would be given every three weeks. The big gun that he is considering is Taxol.
Taxol, Taxane, and Taxitir are similar chemos drug. Taxol has some of the traditional side effects of chemo, for instance, intestinal problems, loss of hair, and maybe a bit more neuropathy (which I've not experienced much of thus far),etc. etc. All of the drugs would be given weekly to ensure our continuing relationships with all of the nice chemo nurses. Dr. Kenyon decided against adding Carboplatin. When Pat asked him why, he said something about people's fingernails falling out, stuff like that. Of course with all chemo, if you read the fine print, there's always the risk of anaphylactic shock, death, etc. Yuck. But, cancer can have it's own nasty side effects, sort of like the ones listed above. Yuck.
Pat and I traveled down to Ashland for an appointment with Jonathan, the Herbalist, and he put me on a bit heavier dosing of anti-cancer stuff, and we discussed the timing of beginning chemo again, which ones Jonathan can work with best and how, and the CyberKnife. He spent 1 1/2 hours with us, and was encouraging, but realistic. This is a nasty cancer. He offered suggestions on building the body for the radiation and recuperation after, and is revising the protocol he has me on a little bit.
A treatment we may have mentioned before to get rid of the liver tumors is the Cyberkinfe. The CyberKnife is a bit like the GammaKnife treatment procedure we had done in Portland in that it involves a very focused radiation on a specific spot, not over a widespread area. It can be used on the organs in the abdominal cavity because it utilizes a missile tracking device type thing that keeps the arm of the machine honed in on your specific tumor even as the organ is moving with your breath. Amazing. For the GammaKnife, my head was sort of bolted down so it couldn't move. With this, you can't jump off the table and do a jig, but it has good accuracy with normal respiration and movement. If you're lying really still. This is important, because one of my lesions is near a blood vessel. I don't want a little mistake to turn into a tragedy. There is also a chance that if it would miss it could hit another organ, like the bowel. Another major disappointment to say the least. I don't want leaks in my tubing! I had told Dr. Kenyon about the CyberKnife (they told me about it in Portland at the GammaKnife app't.) so his guys called their guys. The CK people called me this morning, the 1st, and said they have an opening on the 6th for a consultation. No problem. It meant the entire day on the phone since everything has to be organized today and tomorrow. I had to track down biopsy slides and make sure they Fed-Ex’d the right office at Stanford, call to make sure a CD of the brain MRI could be burned and the CT scans could be retrieved, call for a place to stay in Stanford, deal with the social worker stuff, insurance questions (thankfully Pat is an ace with that), and research the best transportation. We're not sure the cheapest, safest route to go- plane, train or auto. If we're there on the 6th for a consultation, we won't know if I qualify for the procedure until we talk with the doc. Then we need to hear when she says the treatment can happen. Hopefully within a couple of days of the consultation. It could be up to 1 1/2 weeks after the consultation in which case we have to decide if we/I stay down there the whole time or come home in between. There should be about three visits total, including a post radiation follow-up.
So for all my whining about the prep, and all the unknowns, it's exciting to think that I could concievably be rid of these little buggers and be home again before Christmas. I would still probably need to do some more chemo, but the chance of the existing tumors spreading would be nixed or at least severely reduced. A huge question mark is how many lesions there are at the time of the consultation. I'm hopeful that there will be just the three, with no more brewing, and that these three haven't shot off any "seeds" elsewhere in my body. They can do this new-fangled thing as long as the lesions are not too many in number, are accessible, and of course, insurance deems it worth paying for. Another cool thing is the timing. I can't get Avastin or the other drugs (oh boy) if I'm having a major procedure like this done because it's treated like surgery. (Avastin can make you bleed more, and the chemos can make you really sick) This way it's being taken care of during a break in the chemos that Dr. Kenyon had me on to clear out one batch before beginning the other. In Jonathan's office, they like to do the same-give bodies breaks every so often from any chemo treatment. So even though the oncologist and the herbalist work in very different realms, it seems as though the clinical processes are being worked out to please all involved. Pleasing people is not as important as getting healthy, but it's helpful when everyone's on the same page and not bickering over treatment plans. It's also comforting, as it seems that all the "counselors" are recommending the same thing. It gives me more confidence in the direction. Hooray!!
If you all are overwhelmed like I am, I apologize. This has been a harried day. It's also Dan's 16th birthday, tomorrow is a wreath making gathering, and Sunday is a violin recital for Valerie and Sarah. Monday I was going to take some doulas on a tour of the hospital L&D area, but I'd say that is on hold as of now.
Goofy Hazlenut humor...we were trying to get Daniel (for some reason) to say "Brood of vipers". He has a hard time with his "B" sound, so it comes out Rude o'wipers. Pat and I were discussing how much he (Pat) does for me now, and I said "at least I'm not in diapers yet" to which he replied "our family would then truly be a "Brood of Wipers". Sick, I know, and one day I may regret that conversation. But in the meantime, you take all the weird humor you can get.
Thanks for tuning in again, prayers could be for everything to get to Stanford, including Pat and I, in a timely fashion. For the children to do well while we're gone, for insurance to cover this procedure, for me to be able to get the CyberKnife done,and for it to be effective. We also need to finalize transportation, and a place to stay. Anything else you can think of would be appreciated too. Thanks.
Trusting in Him,
Jeanne Hazleton
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