11/30/10

More good news! The CT scan from last week showed that the four largest liver tumors that they measure have shrunk again. My blood counts are good as well. I asked the doctor if he is surprised that the chemo is working so well with the Oxcillaplatin being removed from it. He is surprised that it working so well for so long because it usually takes all of the components of this chemo to be effective. He is pleased that it is working this way, saying that it gives him even more information on how these unusual tumors react. I believe we have some answered prayers here folks! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, I know I will.
Darlene

Darlene's Gallery II

Darlene's Gallery

11/2/10

More good news from the doc today. The latest tumor marker test showed a decrease from 9.9 to 8.0. All the other blood work was in the norm so I can continue on this same chemo. My next CT scan is November 23, and I will get those results from the doctor on November 30th. Again, thanks for your prayers,it is what sustains me.

9/14/10

My latest CT scan showed the liver tumors shrinking still. A couple of them grew slightly in one direction but shrank in the other direction. Also the radiologist who read these latest pictures commented that the areas in my lungs are just large veins, nothing to be concerned about. Also my doctor said my latest liver function test was very good. With this chemo still working so well I don't have to be concerned about changing it any time soon. This is great news to me since I am tolerating it so well now that the Oxcillaplatin has been removed from it. I feel that my hands are improving too. I am looking forward to a couple of trips to the beach this fall so life is good. Thanks again for keeping me in your prayers, God works wonders in all of us each day.

8/10/10

I got to skip chemo today (happy birthday to me). The skin on my fingers is too damaged so the doc thought I needed a break. He got the results of the gene mutation test and had good news. The test was negative for mutations so that means I have many more options for chemo in the future. I will have another CT on August 31st, if the tumors have grown I will have to change treatments. I have been feeling well for a long time, I am very blessed.

Prayers Needed

Please lift up in prayer my good friend Sharri Olson and her children Michael, Colin and Jennifer in their time of mourning.

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
Psalm 119:76

7/13/10

My CT results were good again. The tumors are not shrinking by leaps and bounds, but they are shrinking. My tumor markers,kidney function,liver function and blood counts are all good. There were white blood cells in my urine today so they are running a culture on that. It should be something simple such as a UTI, although I am not having any symptoms. The doctor did say that having the Oxcilaplatin discontinued because of nerve damage may result in the tumors growing. Before my next CT scan he will run a gene mutation test on a tumor which will help him decide what chemo to use next if need be. He is able to use the biopsy from January '09 so I will not have to go through another liver biopsy. Praise God for all the good news and thanks to all of you for your prayers.

6/16/10

Hi everyone. All is good here. I saw my oncologist yesterday. My blood work and oxygen levels were good, the only problem that needed attention was my hand and foot syndrome. (I had a burn on my wrist that I was not aware of and my shoes slip off my feet without me feeling them). The doctor discontinued the chemo that was causing it for fear that the neuropathy would become permanent. The chemo nurses assured me it would not cause a significant change in tumor growth (why was I on it anyway?). My next CT is July 6th with results July 13th. I did ask my doctor if i should pursue the liver transplant at a different facility and he suggested to wait for the next CT and if the tumors have not spread to other areas he would talk to the people he knows at Vanderbilt. If they agree to a transplant it is still a really hard decision. My concern is the recovery time and being immuno suppressed for the rest of my life. Please pray that I can hear Gods will for me. Thanks again to everyone for your continued prayers, i know that this is where my strength comes from.
Love,
Darlene

4/29/10

More good news from the doctor. The last CT I had showed that the tumors are still shrinking somewhat. It looks as though I just keep the same chemo routine. The neuropathy in my hands and feet are troubling but the doctor gave me a prescription to try to help it. So far no change but it may just take a while.

3/23/10

I met with my doctor today before chemo. He said my liver function was completely normal on this last test, the first time since I've been his patient. What a praise! I also asked what future treatments looked like and he said unfortunately with this kind of cancer I need to stay on chemo indefinitely. The patients he has seen that take a few months off come back with tumor growth and the chemo doesn't respond as well. Also I talked to him about the neuropathy in my fingers and toes. (After the last treatment I developed what is called hand and foot syndrome. After the pain went away I was left with numbness in my fingers and toes) He gave me a prescription for Lyrica in hopes of reversing the damage. My next CT scan will be on April 13th.

2/8/10

I just got good news from my doctors office. After having my latest CT scan reviewed they discovered that there was a typo on the report. The tumors have all shrunk, not grown, so there is no need to do the RF ablation. Again, our prayers are always heard.

2/4/10

After seeing the doctor today, the news wasn't as bad as I thought. There are no new tumors and the tumors that were measured had all decreased except for one. The one that had grown was enough to raise the tumor markers. Dr. Bordoni will talk with the doctor that did my liver embolization to see if he can do a Radio Frequency Ablation on the one growing tumor. He is not yet sure if the tumor can be reached this way, but if so it is not as invasive as the embolization. They basically insert a probe through the side into the liver and hit it with radio waves. While I wait for this information I will resume the chemo I have been on. The next infusion will be next Tuesday. Thanks for all your prayers, they make all the difference.

1/28/10

I saw the doctor two days ago and he cancelled chemo again. It seems that my tumor markers have increased the last two times they were taken. He wants to see another CT scan to help decide if I need yet another type of chemo. On the bright side, my blood counts are good, I don't have any pain and he said my liver and spleen feel normal. Also my heart and lungs still sound good. I feel really well after missing a few rounds of infusion. I will see him again on Thursday and will know more then.