Finalized the treatment plan with Dr. Corn today. We had basically three options on the table:
1. Surgery - His surgeon said the surgery would not be impossible, but he certainly wouldn't recommend it as the first option. So we put that in our back pocket and move on to:
2. Systemic therapies - like chemo, these are ingested or injected. They work throughout my entire system, targeting the cell's reproductive cycles or other important pathways. Problem with these ... they boost blood pressure, sometimes to stroke level. Also, after all the scans on Friday and yesterday, we are certain this recurrence is very localized. No other spots anywhere to be found. So a systemic treatment isn't really necessary, if there is a localized treatment, without the systemic side effects. That leads us back to:
3. Tomotherapy, which I first discussed with Dr. Liem in Albuquerque. Dr. Corn in Houston thinks this is the best first step for several reasons ... if we do another scan in a couple of months, and nothing has changed or the tumor has grown, we move on to systemic therapy. Tomo is very localized and doesn't have nearly the severity of side effects ... some nausea, some fatigue, but nothing terrible. Then Dr. Corn says he talked with his Tomo guy and the recommendation is that I return to Albuquerque for this therapy.
Dr. Corn is going to call Dr. Leim and they are going to discuss Tomotherapy in general and my case in particular. He will then call me on Thursday and, if he likes the way the discussion goes tomorrow, he will let me know how to proceed with treatment in Albuquerque. If, by chance, he should hear something from Dr. Liem that puts him off, we will replan for Tomotherapy in Houston ... but that's a very slim chance.
So, I am happy with the prognosis. I am getting comfortable with treating this like a chronic disease. And I am very happy to have the prospect of being treated at home, rather than having to uproot to Houston for some long period of time.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Good news. I've been worried because we were out of the house, evac'd for the fire. We're fine. Sounds like the Tomo is a good route and good attitude toward it.
ReplyDeleteHugs and smooches!!
Janet
We'll miss seeing more of you in Houston, but we know you'll be more comfortable at home. Our thoughts and prayers for a successful recovery are with you.
DeleteMark and Kate
Sounds like a very thoughtful approach! Like the reserved attitude of doc to first see how discussion goes.
ReplyDeleteMissed getting together with you while you were here, but know you are glad that things can get started right away, at home and not a thousand miles away! Luv ya!
ReplyDelete