Tuesday, July 12, 2011

CT Results are In

So it wasn't all bad news, but it wasn't what I was hoping for, either.  The adrenal tumor is now at 5 cm. That's about 2 inches.  Dr. Fastenberg was disappointed that the chemo regimen we had been on wasn't helping.


On the esophageal cancer front, all seems to be stable.  The main tumor has not changed, the one lymph node behind my trachea enlarged minimally, and one located near my shoulder was unchanged.  But the good news there is that there was NOTHING NEW!!!! :)


Starting next week, I will be part of a stage II clinical trial of CPT-11, which is already approved and in use for breast cancer and colon/rectal cancer.  It's known as Camptosar.  That will be an IV infusion every three weeks, but additionally, I will be taking Xeloda pills.  It will be a trial in more ways than one, and so I will be taking three months of short term disability and see how that goes. 


I asked Dr. Fastenberg point blank if I should be considering hospice and he said not at all; we still have options, and I'm still doing pretty well.  I can still walk, kinda, I can still eat, kinda, and I've still got hope.


I was so stressed out this morning, I had an ocular migraine during my consult with Dr. F.  That was... kinda creepy, and because my hemoglobin was down to 8, I had to have a shot of Procrit.  Let us hope that works well, otherwise next time, it's a transfusion and I have to go to the hospital for that. 


I'm exhausted.  It's a lot of information to digest; but I still believe that I have a chance.  Dr. F says that this trial has a 47% success rate so far.  By success, 15% have eliminated their cancer and the other 32% have their cancer under control.  I will happily take control if that's as good as I can get.  There are only 29 people in this trial.  I will be number 30.  I like that number. :)  Why so few in the trial? Because both of my cancers are relatively rare, our numbers are few.


I will start the trial on the 19th, so I get a week to rest up get strong.  And generate some red and white blood cells!  And try not to get sick.


And so I'm hanging in here, and sending love and hugs to all. :)

3 comments:

  1. Oh geeze girl, I have been on tenter hooks all day. Just got back from the store and was working out the time difference and wondering if you had posted yet. It is AZ hot up here today, sucks.

    Well, good news I would say. The trial sounds promising. At this stage you have gotta do what you gotta do. I do so hope this works for you, or at least keeps you at a point where you can maintain. Your doc F sounds pretty optimistic. I would run with what he says, he seems to know of what he speaks.
    Will let you rest for now. I am sure you were up to high heaven waiting to speak to him today, I can only imagine. Have a stiff one on me and put your feet up girlfriend.
    I shall keep checking in and posting, hope you will too.
    Fay in the family room with the ac on

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did actually come home and have a wee bit of Scotch. Doc told me to take 100mg of B6 twice a day while on this regimen. He also said he reserves the right to change his mind on this trial if he finds something better. That gets my vote. :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds cool, something better would be very welcome right about now eh? B6 is actually nice to take, makes you feel good. I have taken it on occasion as one of the "ones" that are good for us and that we should take. Scotch also sounds good although I do not like it much, me from Scotland too......now a nice gin and tonic, ice and a slice, hmmmmmmm.

    Hope you are doing ok, still got everything crossed here hoping for something great to happen for you. Hang in there.
    Fay in the family room

    ReplyDelete

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