5/4/2010

MAPS and FACTS…

The oncologist's appointment gave us the facts we were looking for. Some good---some bad, nonetheless we now understood the direction we would need to head. We have chosen not to focus on the statistics because as the oncologist put it...WHO IS REALLY AVERAGE AFTER ALL? The statistics are important to know but more important not to focus on.

So what is the "MAP" set forth by the oncologist?

1. Jay was scheduled for a "port" placement (placing a permanent catheter into the artery just next to the shoulder) for April 27. The purpose of this catheter is to provide a door for the chemotherapy medications, CT scan dye, I.V.’s, etc. without having to start an I.V. at every visit.

2. Chemotherapy is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2010. He will arrive at 8:00 a.m. and the nurse will administer the first 5-7 hours of chemo in the chemo suite. They will then connect him to a “take home” chemotherapy which will be continuous for the next 48 hours. At the end of the 48 hours a nurse will come to our home and disconnect the chemo from the port. Jay will then repeat this process every 14 days.

3. CT scans will be done every 2-3 months to check on the shrinkage of the tumors.

4. Blood work that reveals “tumor markers” will be done approximately every month.

5. If the chemotherapy is successful in shrinking the tumors the next step will be surgical intervention. The cancerous portion of the liver and lungs must be removed. They are hoping to proceed in this fashion at the 6-8 month mark.

Update…

Jay’s port has already been placed. The placement was extremely successful. He is getting stronger every day. Now that the bruising and swelling have disappeared it is difficult to even see the port. I can run my hand over his skin and feel it, but it is almost nonexistent to the naked eye.

Jay is concentrating on keeping weight on. He began this process at 228 and is now at 207. Needless to say he is now looking for high calorie foods, and a large quantity of them, while food still sounds good.

What’s next…?

Our first appointment at the Huntsman Cancer Institute is scheduled for May 26, 2010. We will be meeting with an oncologist named Dr. Sunil Sharma. The James Cancer Institute and the Huntsman Cancer Institute have been in communication and it appears that Jay’s “MAP” will remain the same in Utah just under a different doctor.

Thank you to all of the fingers and toes, hands and feet, hearts and souls, that have enveloped us in love, care, and hope!! We love you all!!

Susan