2nd Round of Chemo Down,What's Next

My 2nd round of chemo went as well as the first with absolutely no sickness. My white blood count is very low so I will be getting a Neulasta injection at the end of each round starting today. On May 6th I have a CT done to see how well the chemo is working followed by three more days of chemo on the 12th. Dr. Bordoni is hopeful that if the chemo works well enough I won't need the liver embolization. Best case scenario is, this works, I go into remission and get on the liver transplant list within months. Thank you all again for all your prayers, cards, gifts, food, transportation, moral support, etc.,etc. Everyone of you makes a huge difference in all of this.

Colon Surgery Consult

I met with Dr Liberman today, a colorectal surgeon. His opinion is that if he does colon surgery I would have to be off chemo for several months and that chemo is much more important at this time than removing the colon tumor. He says there is no problem waiting until chemo is finished to remove it unless the tumor ruptures. If this does happen it would be a complicated surgery due to healing problems but he feels that there is a very small chance of that. So as of now I will have my three days of chemo this week with nothing else scheduled other than weekly labs. As always, your many prayers are appreciated and I feel them lifting me up.

P.S.
Goodbye hair, hope to see you soon.

Difinitive Diagnosis

I saw my oncologist today and he confirmed that the primary tumor is in the colon. His thought is that we may need to act soon on removing this tumor before it perforates and becomes an emergency situation. He will consult with a G.I. surgeon to get a definite opinion on how to proceed. As for now my embolization of the liver is on hold but I will continue on the I.V. chemotherapy regime. My next round is April 22, 23 and 24th. Praise God, I have not been sick at all and my doctor thinks I have a good chance of avoiding the nausea and vomiting altogether. He also said my blood count is still excellent. All in all it was an uplifting visit and I feel very hopeful of my outcome. I can never say enough about being lifted up in your prayers. I know with unending faith that God is hearing everyone of them.

Last Day of Chemo Round One

Finished the first round of chemo today and I still feel fine, other than jitters and insomnia from all the cortisone they gave me along with it. Next Tuesday I see Bordoni for blood counts, biopsy results on the colon and hopefully a decision on whether or not I'm ready for the chemo embolization of the liver on April 15th. Please pray that I will be one of the few that doesn't get too sick from the chemo...I'm not a good thrower-upper. Thanks again for all your generosity and prayers.
Love You All,
Darlene

1st Chemo Treatment

First day down, two more to go. Today took from 8:00 to 3:00. I received two types of chemo, numerous fluids, anti-nausea meds, and Sandostatin(for Carcinoid symptoms). Tomorrow will be just one chemo and should only take about 1-2 hours. I don't have any discomfort or nausea and was sent home with a slew of ant-nausea meds. The nurse said sometimes the nausea and vomiting hold off for 3 or 4 days. I'm hopeful these new meds will help tremendously. Next week I meet with the doctor to check my blood counts and get the results of the colonoscopy biopsy. All of this will determine if I'm on track for the embolization in 14 days. Thanks go to my husband and all my "sisters" for taking care of me today. Being distracted through this is a good thing. All of the cards, cartoons, food and goody bags are such a comfort. Oh yeah, thanks to Chemo Joe also for being with me and standing guard!