More Chemo Awaits

E. has responded magnificently to chemotherapy. Actually, the word "magnificently" is my word choice, and it pretty much summarizes the doctor's medical mumbo-jumbo.

The PET/CT showed "NO UPTAKE." As you might recall in PET scans, rapidly-dividing cells (such as cancer) "take up" the injected radioactive glucose. So, if there is "no uptake," that is a good thing. A very good thing.

Along with the no uptake, concerning lymph nodes have also decreased in size. For instance, the right supraclavicular lymph node last measured at 2.5 cm and now measures at 1.5 cm. The lymph node in the upper abdomen is currently 1.0 cm when it was previously 1.5 cm. Additionally, there were no new lymph nodes that appeared suspicious. Yay!

The esophagus also appears normal, with no masses detected and no abnormal uptake. Yay again!

The Physician's Assistant reviewed the PET/CT results with us, as well as E.'s latest labs. E.'s white blood count continues to be a little low, and a few other numbers were a bit out of the normal range, but overall nothing was worrisome. Another yay!

The doctor was pleased with E.'s response to the latest chemotherapy regimen and wanted E. to continue with the same medications and schedule. "It is good, but you have to continue chemo," he said. He indicated that after 12 or so rounds, E. might possibly get to take a "break." So, it looks like at least another 6 rounds are in E.'s immediate future (having completed 6 so far . . . the initial 2 on the first protocol, followed by 4 on the MD Anderson protocol). We'll then return to Texas again and see what the doctors have to say then.

We inquired about the possibility of surgery and were disappointed when the doctor said, "I personally doubt surgery is going to be an option." He did say that after E.'s next visit in approximately three months, he would present E.'s case to the team again (included on the team is the thoracic surgeon) to see what the team thought would be the best course of action. We trust that they know what is best, but it is still difficult.

E. is not thrilled that he must continue to "have poison running through his body," but agrees that it must be done. We suspected that there would be more chemotherapy, but E. was hoping for more of a break before continuing. His next infusion is already scheduled for Wednesday - less than a week away. Four rounds of chemo stacked right on top of one another took their toll. Like we said previously, the side effects tend to be compounded with each round. Just about the time E. is beginning to feel better, it is time for the next round. And now, on top of the four rounds, there are six more. Ten rounds in a row will not be fun. We all know that E. is a warrior, but a man can only take so much. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers if you will.

S.