Jane, Rae Nell, Mom and Dad all went to the Dr. Kaseb consult. This report was filled with fair news and some bad news.
The liver lesions are stable from the last scan performed on 3/18. Since there was reported four total lesions I am naming them Eena Meena Mina and Mo. Eena, the lesion in the dome VII and VIII, is smaller than the before, 3x2.9 cm vs 3.6x3.4 cm. Meena, the lesion extending into my IVC is 1.5x1.2 cm vs 1x1.2. The doctor characterized this unchanged. The thrombosis surrounding Meena is unchanged. No comment about the two new lesions Mina and Mo, that was reported before.
From the chest evaluation they discovered a new spot on the scan that they have declared is cancerous. This is bad news in that it indicates the cancer has indeed spread from the liver making transplant a non starter. The mitigating factor is the lesion currently so small, 0.3x0.2cm, that it's hard to be sure it is cancerous. That's the hope I am holding onto.
From the chest evaluation they discovered a new spot on my lung that they have declared is cancerous. This is bad news in that it indicates the cancer has indeed spread from the liver making transplant a non starter. The mitigating factor is the lesion currently so small, 0.5x0.4cm, that it's hard to be sure it is cancerous. That's the hope I am holding onto.
The pressing problem now is complications from cirrhosis, hypertension (vein back pressure), and both a left and right plural effusions (water buildup) in the chest wall and liver walls. The effusions have grown significantly even with the Lasik medication. The effusions have almost totally collapsed my left lung and are impinging on the right lung. This is the cause of my shortness of breadth and likely my perpetual fatigue.
Thus the treatment plan. They are going to schedule ASAP a tap of the fluids from the effusions and send them to pathology for analysis. Second I will be assigned to a team that worries weight, energy nutrition etc. Goal: Treat the cirrhotic issues and get stronger.
Hey Ray!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear the lesions are unchanged or smaller that were present in the last scan in March. We will be praying about the tiny one showing up today--that it will turn out to be a non-issue. I hope you are enjoying your time with your family in town--that's special!
Hugs from the Newtons-Kerri and Jessica :)
Good luck Ray! I will be praying for you to get rid of the fluid buildup that is affecting your breathing.
ReplyDeleteRay, you're right, it's both good and bad news. We will also pray that the tiny ones are not cancerous. Stay strong in your faith.
ReplyDeleteSue.