What is it they say, two forward and one back? Well, the one back was today. Glad all the rest will be forward moving!
We met with Dr. Johnson and she said to proceed with the re-siting of my stoma soon. "Don't wait months to have a re-siting done because chemo is advised," she said after she looked at the CT scan results. The thickening of the omentum (combined with my pain) is the troubling issue. Thank God the strands have not grown.
We were told a while ago that the chances of my getting a re-siting were 50-50 and of course, it cannot happen during chemo. The surgery from the re-siting would have to heal and then chemo commence a month or 6 weeks post.
So we proceeded to the 3rd floor to meet with Dr. Landham, but were told that he had been called into emergency surgery and could not see me, after I have waited 6 weeks for this appointment. Rescheduling with him was getting more and more into the out weeks due to his "triple booking," his 10 a.m. flights out of JAX and his schedule of working only three days a week in the clinic because he is in surgery two days. It was getting ridiculous. So, after reviewing several options, our final decision was to go ahead with the critical phase of all of this (the chemo) and let the re-siting occur later in the year.
So, chemo will commence on Feb 28th for 12 administrations (every other week). That will carry me into Mission as well as Mayo using the same chemicals. This administration will not be as effective as the first, she said, but the good news is that in 2010 we started chemo pretty late in the game, but this time we are catching it early.
We also spoke about the fact that even though we don't know "the primary" and may never know (happens in 3-5% of all cases of cancer) signet ring cell usually settles in the pancreas or colon. So although they don't see the primary, they are treating it as colon cancer and not pancreatic. I believe they are right but there is never a guarantee. I trust Mayo to have the knowledge.
So that is my report of the day. We can continue to live with the stoma where it is sited so long as I have my pain pills! The main thing is to conquer the cancer.
Love,
Peggy
hey Peggy-hope you had a good weekend! just want to say that i will be thinking of you tomorrow . . . hope chemo gets off to a "good" start (whatever that means--minimal side effects!). and hopefully everything will go smoothly with the docs and nurses--sounds like it gets pretty busy around there! good luck! :) michelle
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. Chemo went fine but am having severe cramping since Sunday -- could be due to obstruction or ascites. Narcotic does not help since it tends to block, so trying Miralax and maybe something stronger later tonight. . .Wish me luck. . and thanks for your support.
ReplyDeletehey Peggy, i'm glad to hear that chemo went well but so sorry to learn that you have been feeling so bad lately. it must be awful if you are complaining because i know you are so tough! i really hope some of the meds give you relief so you can rest and get some sleep. good luck and send an update when you get a chance. . . i will be thinking about you and hope to hear that you are beginning to feel better. hang in there! :) michelle
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