Inscrutable ways

  

I finished chemo and had a CT scan done at the end of October. I was disappointed to learn that the bile duct tumor in my liver is still the size of a tennis ball - about 7cm X 6cm. It shrank about 1 cm during the first half of the chemo treatments, but didn't change at all during the second half.  For that reason, the Medical Oncologist said that there is no reason to repeat that particular chemotherapy again.

Not disappointed about that part AT ALL!

Yesterday, we went to see a Radiation Oncologist at Rush University in Chicago.  He examined that CT scan and surprised us by telling us that I CAN have radiation!  We really did not expect him to say that! It is called IMRT, a highly focused radiation treatment that delivers high doses of radiation and is less likely to damage surrounding tissue.  To learn more, fellow-NERDS can click here.  Since the tumor is still in close proximity to major blood vessels and the main branch of the bile duct, the doctor recommends giving a slightly lower dose of radiation, spread over 15 treatments in 3 weeks, rather than 5 treatments in 1 week.  I am not sure when that process will begin. 


The other good news is that he called one of his colleagues at Rush-Copley (1 mile from our house) and that doctor said that he can do the same type of radiation here!  Another blessing. 

I'm also relieved and so happy to say, that, since stopping the chemotherapy and stopping the medication that was supposed to help help my stomach, the nausea is nearly gone!

The back pain isn't gone, so, I'm exploring that and other symptoms that effect my mobility.  Perhaps these symptoms are not related to cancer or the chemo at all!   I've had some tests done and will see an Orthopedic MD on Monday, Nov 14th.  Maybe he can make some sense of it all?

I don't know for sure, but Aristotle may have said, "The more I know, the more I know that I don't know."

The older I get, the more easily I admit, "I don't know."  Pain and nausea led me to call the doctor last February.  They may or may not be related to cancer.  I don't know, but they could have been blessings in disguise because they led to testing that led to an earlier discovery of the cancer.

It reminds me of St. Paul's benediction in Romans 11:33-36.  

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  

How unsearchable are His judgements and how inscrutable His ways! 

For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? 

Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be glory forever...

Amen."







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