9/1 - A Glimmer of Hope

We (Jane, Rae Nell and I) met with the radiology oncologist, Dr. Krishnan, at MD Anderson to discuss radiation treatment. He stated that in Asia where there is a high incident of Hepatitis and HCC that there is compelling evidence that these types of tumors respond to radiation treatments with little consequence to the patient. The primary concern is the lesion that has invaded the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) but the treatment will extend to the other lesions as well.

He showed us CT scan images of the IVC lesion and it was quite concerning. The lesion has two threads and is surrounded by thrombosis (blood clot). The lesion is already occupying a large portion of the IVC and if left to grow would eventually block the IVC altogether. So to attack the lesion with radiation sounds like the right thing to do. If the treatment is successful the lesion will shrink and the Lovenox (blood thinner) will break up the thrombosis. Dr. Krishnan went on to say that success at the radiation treatment will lead to more options for other types of treatments in the future.

Down side to radiation is fatigue, soreness in the esophagus, loss of appetite, and nausea. Most patients tolerate the treatments well and recover soon after the treatments stop. I can do this.

So they set me up and are scheduling me to start treatments on Tuesday the 7th for 14 week days running the next three weeks.   One good thing is MD Anderson has an extension clinic in Nassau Bay (near where I work) so I won't have to drive downtown and pay high parking fees every day.  

 "Let's do it." - Ringo to Langer in Tombstone