For those of you dont get my update emails, heres the latest. Sorry for the length: Just returned from an appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Rastogi, where I got my most recent MRI and CT scan results. Not great news, but no need to panic. Here are the basics....on my spine, I have two new (but very small) tumors on two of my vertebrae, T5 and T8 (a previous one was at T4 but that one was radiated and has now shrunk). I also have two very small spots on my ribs (T11 and T12). When I asked, What is very small?, she said, Less than a centimeter. She is sending me back to Jefferson to see Dr. Shi (the radiation oncologist that I saw before and really liked) to see if he can radiate these 4 areas. My bone tumors have responded very well to radiation in the past, so hopefully itll work again. She is also switching my chemo but not immediately. Im staying on Zeloda for this cycle and then when my next cycle SHOULD start (week of Dec. 22nd) I will come see her (on the 23rd) and she will tell me what chemo shes switching me to. My choices are 1) Temodar, with or without Zeloda (Zeloda is what I take now but she said the two together would be more powerful, but might really wipe me and my bone marrow out and I would be very susceptible to illness). It would be in pill form at home like I do now. The other option is 2) Irinatecan (similar to Topotecan which I did very well with in the past), with or without Zeloda, but these will be IV form. I would have one IV treatment at the center, then sent home with a pump for 48 hours, at which time theyll come to my house and unhook it. I dont know how long and how often any of these options are yet. Ill find that out when I meet with her. Shes going to think it over and do some research to determine which chemo (or chemo combo) we want to try next. So....not the good news I was expecting or wanting...but these pesky, little tumors are certainly putting up a fight. I must have made a nice home for them because now it seems theyve told their friends to join in! HAHA! Seriously, I was hoping for stability and no new tumors, but You cant always get whatcha want. (Youre welcome for putting that song in your head for the rest of the day!). The GREAT news is that everything else on this set of scans and MRIs was AWESOME....my liver, my brain, the rest of my bones, including my sternum, everything! I meet with Dr. Shi at Jefferson tomorrow afternoon to determine whether or not he can treat these tumors. Lets all just stay positive til we know more!!! Ill keep you updated as I get information. Keep the prayers and positive vibes coming! Love you all for the support!
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 23:01:13 +0000
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