DOCTORS APPOINTMENT - MORE CHEMO

I Had a one month follow-up doctor’s appointment and CT scan a couple of days ago. There were no changes to the CT scan since the previous one. However, at some point the cancer made a hole in my esophagus and attached itself to my aorta. During surgery they were unable to remove anything off my aorta because they felt it was too dangerous because of the previous radiation and the aorta being friable. The previous chemotherapy and radiation shrunk the cells and according to the doctors now they look “non-viable”. However, because whatever is on my aorta looks the same (cell type) as the cancer they already removed, they are going to do another round of chemotherapy.

This round of chemotherapy will occur here at home at Aspen Valley Hospital (AVH). It will last 3-4 months and I will go every other week. I go in on a Tuesday or Wednesday and get a couple of drips while in the hospital. Then they hook me up to an IV pump which will deliver the rest of the chemotherapy over a 46 hour period while I am at home. Then, I return on Friday to get the pump removed. Again, they will do this every other week.

For you medical folks or internet interested out there, they are giving me FOLFOX, (5-FU and Oxaliplatin).

Thanks again for all the updates. They are soooooooo encouraging. Have a great weekend. :)