Friday, March 19, 2010

Tied - Overtime Now!



Tied - Overtime Now!

Well the news was going so good, almost unbelievably so - yet some setbacks must be expected. After the latest MRI last week, a small spot was noticed by Dr. Choucair, this time on the right side. He felt it wise to meet with Dr. Scott J. Samuelson to explore the possibility of enhancing the Temador chemotherapy with Avastin a new chemotherapy drug that just completed trials and available only through Dr. Samuelson. Dr. Samuelson met with us and we decided on a delivery method of the intravenous (IV) session every other week along with Temador every day for two weeks then take one week off and then start it again. The method for delivering the IV and all the associated lab work necessitated the insertion of a tube into the jugular vein and reception station all lying just underneath the skin on the chest - the whole contraption is referred to as a Port. The procedure was completed today at the LDS hospital. The patient care was superb. It did leave me sore today but I suspect it will be a wonderful aid to my care. Each couple of weeks I have blood tests and an MRI every two to three months. Sometimes those veins have been very difficult to access - The lab tests as well as the Avastin will all now be accessed through the new Port. A set-back perhaps but we are still looking positive at our progress and plan to remain healthy.