I'm just back today from my two day visit to MD Anderson. Sister Karen and Stephanie travelled with me from Austin. We met my cousins Lee Ann and Julie for a day of testing on Tuesday. I had a blood test, chest x-ray and a CT scan. Good times.
While I waited for my blood test I ran into Ms. T. and her daughter Suzette. I went to school with Suzette at HF ISD. I recognized Ms. T. because she was a bus driver at the school. She said she had been going to MD Anderson for ten years. She recognized me after I told her my name and because my name had been on her church's prayer list for a number of months. That small town stuff is working out for me.
As always, my favorite part is the CT scan. Not. Nurse Crazy, who is actually very nice, had to break the enema news to me again. I asked her if she was sure, positive, it was necessary and she patiently looked at me and said, "Yes, yes you are going to have one. " And, I did have one. It just seemed funnier this time.
After my tests, we headed to get a wheatgrass shot at a local juice bar around the university. We rested up and headed to the Houston Chicago baseball game. My cousin Lee Ann, got us tickets in her suite. It was great and the Astros won. It was a late night with an early wake up call for an appointment with Dr. F. on Wednesday.
He didn't keep up waiting long today. He asked his usual questions. I whined about the enema. Poo talk, etc. Next, he showed us the test results. I'd never seen a cross-section of myself. I actually avoid it as much as possible. He showed us the original scan next to the new scans and estimated tami lost about 2 cm. Nice work. Of course I gave the doc his props, but also credited the diet modifications and the addition of wheatgrass. He just smiled like I was a delusional idiot. I think he still thinks wheatgrass is something you smoke. Dr. F. is going to meet with the tumor team on Friday and propose our next actions which are two more rounds of Xeloda/Temodar. We'll remeasure sometime in July. After more reduction, a discussion will happen about the possibility of a portal vein embolization. This procedure would allow the blood flow to be redirected to the parts of my liver that will be left so that it will increase in size and strength.
It was a good visit. It was good news. Dr. F. is working with Dr. G. (cardiologist) on ways to fortify my heart and arteries for the next two rounds. I'll stock up on more wheatgrass. And away we go...
On another note: I understand the blogging is a bit cumbersome with the questions and the log ins. Hang in there and keep trying.
smack smack,
Jan
PS. Mikey, you were right. I did get some really great news about the “Full Force Gale” punch that I/we have put on tami. The signs were good. And I am certain the stress relieving methods you taught me at UT have helped me deal with this adventure. Thanks for the note and the positive energy. Safe travels.
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