Well, we got the MRI results back late yesterday afternoon, and it appears there are some small spots in B's neck. We don't know where they spread from, but we do know that means the tumor is spreading, and we have to get at it quick.
So, the official treatment plan has finally been finalized. B will start chemo on Tuesday. He'll get 2 drugs instead of the original plan of 3. The one that is being left out has something to do with blood vessels, and if they gave that to B, surgery would be out of the question for a long while.
The plan is to have B do 2 rounds of this chemo treatment...1 infusion every 3 weeks. This should stop the spreading and kill any of the small spread that's taken place up to now (i.e. neck and hip). After the 6 weeks are up, B will have another CT scan or MRI and we'll see if the drugs did their job. If everything looks good, then B can have the hip surgery.
Dr. #4 is pretty certain that the chemo won't damage the tissue in B's hip. That means that when B goes under the knife for the hip replacement, Dr. #8 should still be able to get enough good tissue for the tests. The test results will help us treat the whole cancer on a more specific regimen, i.e. chemo with specific drugs or Tarceva or some other drug. Considering we still aren't certain on the source, those tests of the hip tissue will tell us a lot....when we get there.
In the meantime, we're both happy B will finally be getting some systemic treatment. It seems like it's been forever since the original diagnosis, and this whole time we've been doing nothing to stop or kill the cancer. So, yes, it sucks that we are forced into playing the chemo card, but we're relieved that something is finally going to get done.
Man you guys are troopers, bad things come in three so I figure its got to be good from here on out. . .
ReplyDeleteIf I were you id flip it between the mullet wig and the bald dome. But that's probably cuz I look so dope in a mulled wig.
Mad love for you guys, your in my thoughts everyday, let's kill this.
You guys have so much strength it's unheard of. You're both brave for sharing every little detail of this horrible disease to the world. I'm sorry this is the card you've been dealt, but like Linds said, now is the time to start killing the cancer. Starting Tuesday is when his road to recovery begins. I've never had a stronger belief in anything in my life. Times will get tough. And as strong as you guys are, whenever you need a pick me up, you know you have dozens of friends and family willing to go to bat for you, or just lend a shoulder to cry on. It's all good. Together, you guys will get through this. We got this!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the results from the neck MRI. But I'm very happy chemo gets started Tuesday. Finally, you can know that you're doing something to get rid of this BS. And get rid of it you will. You can do it, B!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, L. Keep your head up!
Stay strong, Benjamin. You and Lindsey are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteEsther Gold
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