Next Mapping/Y90

Quick update on the next steps of treatment of the liver.  

After further consultation from the radiologist on the previous Y90 procedure, it was confirmed that the radiation was successful in killing most if not all of the tumor on one side of the liver.  Another procedure was recommended to intervene on the other side of the liver and ablation (punching a hole through the gut, inserting an instrument, and freezing/burning the tumor) was strongly considered, but due to the proximity of other organs and intestines, another Y90 was preferred.

I spent the past 2 weeks on a work trip to Istanbul and Rome, and they were wonderful trips and great distractions from all this health stuff going on.  What was stressful however, was that while in Istanbul, Premera was initially denying the pre-authorization to perform another Y90 procedure, which required my doctor to file a critical appeal, where Premera would respond within 72 hour.  Luckily, after discussions with my doctor, Premera reversed their decision to deny the claim, and we were able to move on and schedule the appointment.

Tomorrow I have another mapping session to check the blood vessels and map the path the surgeon will take to reach the tumor on the other side of the liver, along with helping in planning on how much radioactive beads will be ordered.  I'll be out of work recovering at least Wednesday and Thursday, perhaps returning to work this Friday.  Hopefully the beads will be available next week, and we'll do the actual Y90 implantation next week with a similar recovery time.  Really grateful that this procedure is available and effective, and that the side effects are minimal.

Finally, I have my next CT scan in early May, and I'm hoping that it will show that the tumors in my lungs have remained stable, and haven't spread to other organs.  Thanks again for reading, and I hope you all have a great spring!

- Jerome