Lots of news

I guess it doesn't matter if I miss a few days since I'm only posting for me. Lots of information has been coming at us. Friday we got the call that we made it through the evaluation process for transplant and have been accepted into the program. However there are a few things we need to do before being put on the list.
Yesterday we met with a wonderful Radiologist to discuss treatment on the cancer. We really felt he was the first Dr to sit down and actually talk with us. There are so many things flying at us and for the most part we just get orders of where to go and when to be there. This guy actually answered some questions and talked about the reality of what we are facing. He kept saying he didn't want to scare us and interestingly nothing he had to say scared me. One point that keeps bopping around me head is the notion that with no treatment, if we just let the cancer run its course the life expectancy is 9-22 months. This would be frightening if I didn't know that we are going to do everything we can to fight it, not sit back and let it win. I have a calm faith that everything is going to work out.
From that we discussed the treatment he suggests. They will send a needle, shunt directly into the liver right above the tumor and inject Chemo right onto the spot. This will hopefully shrink the tumor and can be repeated in about a month if need be. This is a much less invasive procedure, no surgery and much less effect from the chemo since it's focused not flooded into your whole body. There shouldn't be a lot of reaction, rarely is there hair loss, some people have a little nausea and tiredness for a few days. This covers our concern of taking away his strength for treatment then having the transplant come up and not be in the best condition to handle it.
The second stage of this treatment is where they go in from the side, kind of like a biopsy into the liver and use radio frequency to kill off the cells in the tumor. Again not too invasive, there is some concern regarding the location of the tumors, one being near the edge of the liver on the lower part, easy to reach but close to the wall of the liver. If it gets much larger that could become an issue. The other is high up just under the diaphragm and a little harder to reach. The concern is going through so much of the good liver to get to it, causing trauma. In dealing with two spots we have to be careful not to damage too much of the good liver or it could end in liver failure. I guess that would put us on the direct path for the transplant.
We feel confident the treatment will be a benefit and are pleased to have some direct activity finally. They should be calling this afternoon to make an appointment for the treatment next week. The check in is 6:30 am and there will be an overnight stay for observation.
Work will be taking a back seat even though I have two listings coming on this next week with brokers tours. I've also go my community service and foundation work but it will wait. There are others that can step up and take care of thing.
The girls have a lot going on with school right now with testing and projects. My youngest is running for High School leadership (class officer) and is really putting her heart into it. I so hope she wins as she could really use a boost of confidence right now. JR High is such an up and down time and she is a soft heart. Also determined and ambitious which are great.
I've got to hit the treadmill. My therapy of sorts.
This weekend is my husbands birthday. I wonder if he questions how many more there will be. I hope not. I don't think so. He's keeping a great attitude and reading everything he can find to be informed. We are trying to be proactive and stay on top of things.
And trying to have a life, love my kids, enjoy the sun, marvel at the flowers and remember our many blessings. This too shall pass and we will make it through together. Next month we celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. You don't make it that many years without some challenges and this is by far our hardest but I have full faith in our strength. We will be OK. Life will be normal again and it will not include Cancer.