POD

Pod makes me think about a lot of different things. Podcasts, iPods, Pod Races (familiar to star wars viewers). Chemo patients will identify with me in knowing about a chemo pod.  This picture shows what a chemo pod looks like (at least in the facility I visit).  I am behind the table with my computer so you don't see much of me but you get an idea of the small cube like feeling with walls a little taller than chair back height.  This prevents a small amount of privacy and allows you to hear/talk with others freely.

This week I saw and talked with the woman I met two weeks ago during my last treatment.  She said she did well during the last two weeks.  I was glad to hear that.  I don't know if or how soon I will see her again.  I will explain why in the following paragraph.  Both her and my nurse were disappointed with the possibility they may not see me for a while.

Yesterday I had a PET-CT scan and today I met with Doctor to find out the results.  What you have to understand in order to really get this is the CT part is to tell what and where and what size it is.  Physical perspectives.  The PET part shows activity so more active areas "light up" while less or inactive areas are not lit up rather shades of grey.  That being said there were two spots that light up.  First is the Tumor in the colon.  The Doc said chemo is not making the tumor smaller while it is not growing either.  He said the Cancer/Tumor is stable.  His suggested treatment is to remove it with surgery.  This was part of the original plan and expected to happen in February some time.  The second spot that lights up is in the liver.  While there is activity there, the CT part of the scan showed no lesion or tumor in that location.  That location is in the left half of the liver (the only part I have left) specifically where the Surgeon did ablation on surface lesions.  The Doc's answer to the activity was due to inflammation likely from the ablation process.  The Doctor had me proceed with my 5th chemo treatment today.  He indicated this may (and he hopes) be the last treatment before surgery.  This all depends on what my surgeons have to say.

Next up will be meetings with both my Colo-Rectal surgeon and my Liver surgeon.  At this point my Doc/Oncologist thinks this will be a combined surgery with both surgeons.  I have heard from my Colo-Rectal surgeon they work together often and get along well. I have a great team of Medical Professionals and with some hesitation look forward to this surgery.  The result of this surgery will likely make me cancer free from then into the near future.  Then likely starts the "watch phase".

-- Kent