Dramatic Change

I have had a dramatic change in my cancer treatment due to the events of the last 13 days.  In the early morning hours of Thursday, the 14^th, Patrick took me to the hospital with extreme stomach pains.  Besides trying to abate the pain, the doctor ordered a CT Scan.  After 24 hrs, the pain was reduced to a level 5 versus the over the top of 12 or 13.  However, the Scan did not show anything abnormal.  My opinion, since the pain was very similar, was that I was suffering from ileus (obstruction of the bowel via constriction of the muscles), which I had experienced in March in Florida.  It can be caused by narcotics, which I have been taking for the cancer pain.  In Florida, the condition cleared up after coming off the drugs in about 3 days.  So, our assumption was that this would be another incident (I had resumed using the drug, but about ½ the prior dosage).

However, this time the pain and some nausea continued for days until I was given an MRI.  It showed some ileus, but also indicated that there was obstruction by scar tissue or something else in the lower right abdomen.  The decision was made to perform surgery on Sunday, the 24^th in hopes that the problem was minor and to get a visual of what was going on and create a pathway so that I could continue normal processing of food through my ostomy. (We have relied on the CT Scan from the beginning to monitor the cancer’s presence. My “designer cancer”, signet ring cell  is known to be a stealth enemy. Unlike most cancers with solid masses to detect, only an exploratory/hands on investigation can truly measure the presence of my cancer.) The surgeon found large amounts of the cancer (tiny strands or spots the size of beach sand) over the stomach and colon to the point he could not do anything to bypass the area and get a direct path to my ostomy.  He inserted a tube in my stomach called a Peg Tube to help drain my stomach contents (I can have clear liquids but they are not processed nutritionally because they cannot go beyond my small stomach) and relieve nausea.  With the current obstruction, I am not able to process food normally.

In short, my 18 or so chemo treatments over the past 20 months may have just been holding the cancer at bay…. but has given me nearly two years of living. 

After consulting with the medical staff here in Asheville, my doctor at Mayo, and relatives with medical backgrounds, I am proceeding ahead toward the next line of chemo treatment.  Unfortunately, because I am unable to receive nutrition (food) through my GI system, I am being put on a IV feed called TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition).  We began that process last night in the hospital.  It is adaptable to in-home care. It can take as long as 14 hrs per day to process.  It is necessary for me to have this in order to proceed with the new chemo treatment.

My short term goal is to get home in a few days from the surgery and continue the TPN.  Because of the surgery, I cannot begin the chemo treatments for another 10 to 14 days.  My long term goal is with the new treatment, the cancer can be reduced enough to return to normal food consumption, or at least prevent any more cancer growth.

Patrick and I want to thank all of you who have sent best wishes, flowers, prayers and helped with our daily tasks. Special thanks to to Gil and Joe  Calderwood – our old friends who are now our new neighbors for taking care of Reese and Allie.