Update

Last week, after chemotherapy #1, and a bunch of medications to help me tolerate the symptoms of chemotherapy, I felt as if I was on a bit of a honeymoon from the symptoms I'd already been having!  I went out a few times,  had a better appetite and improved energy.  The best I've felt since February! I'm so grateful!  Today was chemo #2.  I was told that my Neutrophils (cells that help fight infections) were going down too quickly.  I'll have to go in a couple of times this weeks for shots to help counteract this and will have to pay closer attention to the risk of catching "cooties" ... even being around recently vaccinated people.  But, so far, I feel about the same as last week and are hoping for another week of walking on the beach with Mr. Chemo.  For the Nerds among you who have asked me about the "current staging" of my Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer.  It sounds like the name of various Droids in Star Wars:  cT1b,  cN0, cM0....

Today, I had a minor surgery for a venous port to be implanted under the skin of my right upper chest.  Ugh. It reminds me that I am a patient.  But, it will make chemotherapy and blood tests easier.  Afterwards, John and I had an orientation to Chemotherapy, given by a very delightful, Christian Advanced Practice Nurse.  John prayed for her and she prayed for me.  What a lovely surprise gift! On Monday, Chemotherapy begins. My friend, Jan, who had Chemo several years ago, intentionally compared her treatments to the video game, Pac-Man.  Do you remember it? The goal is to direct Pac-Man (or his lovely counterpart, Ms. Pac-Man), to gobble up as many evil little dots as he can. I've been dreading chemo, but will try to adopt her view of the scary medicine, hoping that it will be running all through my body, killing the cancer cells. That's the good news. The "not-so-good" news is this. C ancer and other chronic diseases often resemble the futile carnival gam...

We're flabbergasted!   The prayers, the stacks of cards, financial gifts, flowers, meals and meal cards John and I have received are overwhelming!  Thank you to all our dear friends and family who have reached out in love to us!  You have been a huge blessing!  

Some friends have been asking for an update about my cancer journey. I've hesitated to post because there's not much to say.  It doesn't seem like much is happening.   Or is there? As it stands, the concrete things to report are that the Gastrointestinal Tumor Board did not take place, but I will be having a couple more tests on May 11th, to completely rule out a primary cancer source in the esophagus, stomach or colon. I will still consult with a Radiation Oncologist on April 19th.  There are steps that have to take place before any treatment would begin.  I visualize the "baseball in my football" getting bigger, since I feel a little worse all the time, so it's frustrating that nothing is going on. Or is there? I think there is probably something concrete or spiritual going on, behind the scenes.

To my delight, I was able to have a video visit with a Surgeon last Thursday.  She agreed with the Oncologist that the cancer is inoperable right now because it is so large and too close to vital blood vessels.  The very next day, my case was presented at a Liver Tumor Board at the medical center.  Specialists in liver tumors discussed and recommended various treatments.  They agreed that a type of targeted radiation therapy (called SBRT) would be best.  On April 19, I will be seeing a doctor that does this procedure, which is said to have the lowest risk of surrounding tissue damage and the fewest side effects.  If may take some months, but if it is successful, it is possible that surgery could be done in the future, which could have the best outcomes. My case will also be presented at another Tumor board that focuses on the Gastrointestinal system, since there is still a very remote possibility that the primary tumor could have originated in the stomach....

I was bummed this morning when I was told that my appointment with Surgical Oncologist #1 was going to be changed to Surgical Oncologist #2.   Why? Because I had learned yesterday (from a caring sister-in-law) that one of my nieces works in the same practice as #1.  Wouldn't that be wonderful? This morning, that niece called me to tell me that she was really hoping that I could be seen by a different Surgical Oncologist that she knows well.  None other than Surgical Oncologist #2!   Wish it could be sooner, but I'll be seeing #2 on April 13. I know that I'm not the queen of the world, and the outcome might be pretty bleak, but it sure is great when God brings along little confirmations that remind me He is in control of everything.  "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9

Secondary liver cancer of unknown origin.  That's what all the scans and blood tests reveal.  So far, the Radiologists and Oncologist can't identify where the primary tumor is ... or was.  The primary tumor may have been small and my body attacked and killed it some time ago. Maybe it's a like a big, growing kid with very destructive behaviors and the parent is avoiding our calls.  I may have said that very thing about a few students I knew when I was an elementary school building nurse. As I am able to understand it, here are 3 medical options that may control the symptoms and growth: Chemotherapy - either "whole body" or directly injected into the tumor Radiation - radiation beads or microwaves directly inserted/injected into the tumor Surgery - remove the tumor and effected part of the liver If I'm a candidate for surgery, it could have the potential for having the better results, but, because the tumor is so big and so deep, the risks may outweigh the bene...