Today I took a trip to Ann Arbor to see a Liver Transplant Surgeon.
We asked him whether I was a candidate for a transplant. He said no due to the fact I would have to have anti Rejection (Immune system suppressant) the cancer would likely spread all over and be deadly.
So what are the facts of life you ask....
First of all Systemic Chemo is a good option and currently it is working so we are going to continue with that. For localized Chemo he usually doesn't begin those until Systemic Chemo begins to fail. One of the Localized Chemo options is called Hepatic Artery Infusion. He also said though they do very few of them they only trust very few Oncologists with the care of the pump that would need to be installed. He would need to talk with my Oncologist first before ensuring they can do this option.
We brought up TheraSpheres but he didn't really talk about them much other than to say they do them there. We brought up our hesitation and the fact that Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa stopped this same treatment. He responded with the fact that they still did them.
He still wants to see the MRI Images I had taken in early August since all he has is the report from it. He will look at that and then show it to their local Radiologist. After which he will be presenting my case to their GI tumor board. He will then have the opinion of Radiology, Radiation docs, and other Surgeons. He will call me after talking with the GI Tumor Board.
The only other thing we heard that we weren't expecting is the fact that he thinks the enlarged Lymph Node is Cancerous. The treatment for this would be systemic chemo. Since we are already doing this I guess we nee to decide on the next treatment option. He may decide to have the Lymph node biopsied to prove this theory.
Until next Thursday while under Chemo I will get a call from this doctor to hear what the Ann Arbor Tumor Board talked about.
More from me at that point.
--Kent
Your journey is so difficult, Kent. It's encouraging that you have great doctors on your team. Thank you for the blog post so we know how to pray. Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteYou and Leah both have handled all this turmoil and uncertainty with amazing strength. And Kent, for not being a very "weighty" guy - your physical tolerance of chemo has been pretty amazing too. You get knocked down for a couple days and then you rise carry on life. So I am thankful for these blessings. I am also thankful that the chemo is still being effective and will keep praying that this continues. I believe this is a gift from God. We don't know what the future holds but we know who holds the future.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you went for a second opinion. Knowing that you searched for options gives you peace of mind that you did the best you could do.
You have a sweet, kind and loving little family - the 3 of you - and then a large family of friends and relatives who are cheering you on, praying fervently and embracing you with love. I see in you the realization of the preciousness of life and the joy in little things. You offer love and care to others even in the midst of your own suffering. Thank you.
May God's grace give you the strength and courage to carry on knowing that nothing can separate us from His love.
Love, Mom/Linda Breen
ReplyDeleteKent and Leah,
I am so proud of you, how you are trusting God thru this :climb; A lot of people are praying for our whole family. I certainly can feel Gods strength and I am sure you can too. Ps.27:1 The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Praying always Love Mom De Young