Just wanted to provide a quick update about our experience at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). (see previous post about info on this hospital). Overall, it was a very, very overwhelming week for Mom. Lots of information, plans, ideas, and next steps. Just need to take it one day at a time... She hasn't had the greatest week here, a lot of pain on her right side and lower chest area, but the doctors have some ideas to work on this too. Keep Sharon in your prayers for a successful treatment w/ minimal side effects so fighting this will be just a little easier.
Results of the CT Scan
Overall good news, the CT scan showed that the liaisons in her liver are stable. No change. And based on her not having chemo for 3 weeks and missing a few treatments over the last month because of the side effects. This is really good news. It means that the treatment was working and has stabilize the progression of the disease. All good, not great, but still very good. The one piece of bad news is that back in December 2010 (or before), there are small additional tumors that are in the lining of the abdomen area. This was not good news, but since they have been there for awhile, it wasn't as big of a deal. Just would have been nice if the oncologists that has been reviewing her scans (3 of the previous ones) would have told us. Basically this new news does help explain some of the phantom pains she has been experienced off & on in her side/stomach/chest as a possible irritant over the past 6 months.
Results of her Blood/Lab Work
Overall, she is deficient in a number of areas - likely due to the diarrhea that she has had for over 4+ weeks. That has started to resolve because chemo was paused, but overall her system is deficient in a no. of areas - potassium, magnesium, & protein to name a few that need to be corrected. Once these are corrected, she will likely start feeling much better than she has been for the last month or so. She will be taking a number of different supplements to increase and hopefully over the next week these levels will improve.
Chemotherapy treatment
Chemotherapy treatment began again on Thursday morning. She will received one of the same drugs as she was previous - CPT-11 and they are adding back to her regimen Avastin, plus she will be taking a pill form of the 5-FU (the fanny pack she used to get last year). This pill, Xeloda, she will be taking 2x, 14 days, then off for 7 days, and back on. She will be getting the infusion treatment every 3 weeks (one treatment in Columbus & then back to CTCA for the infusion treatment every 6 weeks).
Other Supplements / Nutrition
One of the reasons we decided to visit CTCA is because of their team approach and looking at all components of what Mom is eating, taking, and ensure she is building her immune system so when the chemo-treatment needs to be given stronger/weaker, she can take it. They have given her a few options of supplements she can take to help with the side effects and the overall health and effectiveness for the chemo-therapies. Nutritionally, they are focused on her getting the calories and amount of protein necessary to keep her strength and immune system in good health. This will not be easy especially without an appetite. Again, lots more info on nutrition that can help with diarrhea and good foods to help fight the cancer. Far too much info to list here.
Overall GI Health
Besides trying to implement some of the nutrition & supplements, she meet with a GI doctor (gastroenterologist) on Thursday afternoon. This doctor made some great recommendations about her overall GI health. He was an amazing person that was very empathetic to Mom and her side effects; explaining all of the ideas and ways she can get better overall so she's strong to fight the disease. It was refreshing.
What's Next
And, there are other alternative treatments they discussed briefly with us that she can try to see if it can help with her overall anxiety, stress-levels, and quality of life. Anything you all can think of to help her being just a little happier and giving her support & smiles will be helpful over these coming weeks.
Overall, lots of changes she can make; and just taking it one day at a time is the plan. Add one new thing this week, another next week so it's not so overwhelming. Keep her in your prayers as she keeps going day-to-day and fighting!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Visiting Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Just looking for a few extra prayers this week. Sharon will be visiting Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Chicago (Zion, IL) this week. We are looking for a 2nd opinion and just a fresh set of eyes. We thought it was time for a total evaluation looking not only at the chemotherapy treatment and results, but Mom's overall immune system. The goal is to get her stronger to be able to continue chemotherapy treatment.
After over a month of Mom dealing with very harsh side effects that she couldn't get under control, the decision was made that she would need to change her treatment to another chemotherapy mixture because of the side effects. For those of you that have dealt with cancer treatments, the last thing you want to do is change the treatment because of side effects; you only want to change because the treatment has developed immunity to the drugs so you need to switch it up. As she is at a crossroads for what to do next, we searched out different hospitals and approaches, and ultimately decided that Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) was the right choice. They take a slightly different approach having her visit a team of doctors and specialists. She will visit an oncologist, gastroenterologist, and a general physician to look at all of the pills and different drugs she is taking to work thru the side effects. She will also have a Naturopathic and Nutrition consult as well as a Mind/Body discussion for a look at some of the alternative medicine techniques to help with the side effects. Overall, we are cautiously optimistic, but relieved for her to at least a complete evaluation to give her confidence with her current oncology team if nothing else.
Monday's appointments --
Today, she started with some intro appointments, history reviews and tests. Overall, a pretty easy day, and a very nice, courteous team that is eager, helpful, and making this process as least seem easy & relaxed.
More to come in the next few days, I will be sure to update as we go along this week.
Thank you for all that you do for my mom, in mind, spirit, thoughts, prayers, love and support. She appreciates it, we all appreciate it!
After over a month of Mom dealing with very harsh side effects that she couldn't get under control, the decision was made that she would need to change her treatment to another chemotherapy mixture because of the side effects. For those of you that have dealt with cancer treatments, the last thing you want to do is change the treatment because of side effects; you only want to change because the treatment has developed immunity to the drugs so you need to switch it up. As she is at a crossroads for what to do next, we searched out different hospitals and approaches, and ultimately decided that Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) was the right choice. They take a slightly different approach having her visit a team of doctors and specialists. She will visit an oncologist, gastroenterologist, and a general physician to look at all of the pills and different drugs she is taking to work thru the side effects. She will also have a Naturopathic and Nutrition consult as well as a Mind/Body discussion for a look at some of the alternative medicine techniques to help with the side effects. Overall, we are cautiously optimistic, but relieved for her to at least a complete evaluation to give her confidence with her current oncology team if nothing else.
Monday's appointments --
Today, she started with some intro appointments, history reviews and tests. Overall, a pretty easy day, and a very nice, courteous team that is eager, helpful, and making this process as least seem easy & relaxed.
More to come in the next few days, I will be sure to update as we go along this week.
Thank you for all that you do for my mom, in mind, spirit, thoughts, prayers, love and support. She appreciates it, we all appreciate it!
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