September 21, 2012

Yesterday (9/20) the oncologist called in the morning to give us the results from the PET Scan.  The tumor on the lung "lit up" like crazy, meaning that it is the initial source of the cancer.  The scan also found a mass on Anne's liver that is cancerous, as well as cancerous lymph nodes on the blood vessels leading into her heart.  This was very saddening news, but also a sort of relief because we finally had an answer on what the primary cancer is.  He said that he would decide if he wanted to biopsy the lung, or to just start with treatment and we would discuss everything at Friday's appointment.  

Today (9/21) started off rough.  Emotions were extremely high this morning before the appointement with the oncologist, and Anne was not feeling well in general.  The pain in her back seems to have its good and bad moments, and this morning seemed to be a bad moment.  The car on the way to the appointment was as quiet as our car rides have ever been.  As soon as the doctor came into the room, he had a course of action in place for Anne and he was ready answer all of our questions.  Next Friday (9/28), Anne will start her first round of chemotherapy.  She will have 6, four hour sessions every 3 weeks.  Her doctor said that her veins are not great for chemo, so sometime next week she will have a port-a-cath placed under her collarbone for the chemo to go into.  This will be a port under her skin that will not protrude from her body at all.  She and I will go to a one hour chemo teach session next week to learn more about the treatment and what to expect.  He is also going to start her on radiation therapy along with another form of medication every 6 weeks.  We meet with the radiologist next Tuesday to find out what kind of treatment she will need for the tumor on the lung, as Dr. Reuhlman does not think that the chemo will help that specific tumor. 

If the chemo works, her oncologist has given her at least 2 years to live.  He said that since the cancer has spread to the bone and other organs, it is not a cureable cancer, but it is a controllable cancer.  This is giving us some hope, we are still taking it day by day and trying to do whatever we can to make Anne as comfortable and cheerful as possible.  Of course, having Jimmy around helps a lot! He's a little ball of energy (just like his daddy!). 

We left the appointment today with a lot of information and a lot of appointments for next week as well! We are all so thankful for everyone's thoughts, prayers and support.  It truly does mean so much to all of us!